By MaryHelen Swanson

With great excitement and anticipation, the senior diners at St. Johnís Lutheran Church in Rush City watched as the 2005 Outstanding Senior Citizens were crowned last Thursday night.

This yearís recipients are a husband and wife, Carol and Warren Sandberg of Taylors Falls.

Nominated by the 2002 winner, Ade Akerlund, the Sandbergs are honored for their volunteer work after age 65, a requirement of the nomination process. In addition, the Outstanding citizens must be over 70. The Sandbergs meet the requirements with room to spare, Carol is 78 and Warren is 82.

So, what keeps these two busy?

Every month Carol ties quilts at church, she works as blood pressure coordinator for Taylors Falls and Almelund seniors and is representative for the county at the Seven-County Senior Citizens. At the NB senior center she sees that Almelund furnishes and serves lunch for the senior dance about four times a year.

She has been secretary of executive board of the KitchiSaga Swedish club for years, and helps out with tours at the Karl Oskar House. Warren got 90 percent of the work done for the Amelund Cemetery map directory, but Carol helped check it over so no grave would be missed.

How many hours does she put in? Carol said, ìI normally do not pay any attention to how long any of these things take.î Itís like when she helped a neighbor get to church activities and social events. ìThese types of things you donít do for praise, but just as friends.î

Warren, a retired dairy farmer, finds ways to help with the unique Swedish celebrations in the area. He has provided leaves for the KitChiSaga Swedish club for their midsummer gatherings and helped with the maypole. One year he even provided leaves and flowers for the maypole at the Swedish Institute in Minnepolis. He has helped with some of the restoration of the Swedish Emigrant House and visits with the Swedish tour groups that visit the house. He can speak Swedish, which helps.

Warren has served on the county fairboard helping with maintenance and repairs and at grandstand events.

At Wild River State Park, Warren has helped put up posts for bird houses and made and installed benches, plus assisted with planting of trees, bushes and vines.

He also volunteers his time at his church and attends senior citizen meetings.

The Sandbergs received certificates from the Chisago County Fairboard and from the state of Minnesota. They will be eligible to compete for the state title of Outstanding Senior at the Minnesota State Fair.

This was the 32nd year for the Outstanding Senior Citizen award sponsored by the Chisago County Fairboard.

The fairboard also provided the delicious meal for the former outstanding seniors and the candidates for this year.
The meal was prepared by the St. Johnís women.

Top of Page

©ECM Post Review

6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com