tertown 1955-57.
After receiving a bach-
elor’s degree and certifi -
cation for special educa-
tion, she taught special
education for 22 years
in Watertown, which she
called her favorite teach-
ing position.
“Those kids, it’s so
much fun to see when
they get happy they can do
something they couldn’t
do before,” Noreen said.
She still gets emotional
talking about teaching
and the accomplishments
of her students.
NOREEN from Pg 4
after six months, having been
the last person hired.
She went on to work for Maple
Plain Bank for $50 per month,
which stretched farther since
she was able to work from home
and commute there easier.
In the summer of 1938, her
eighth-grade teacher, Edna Mc-
Gown, visited her home and
convinced her parents to send
her to St. Cloud State Teacher’s
College.
“Dad said he never got to go
to school and do what he would
have liked to do in life, so he
Family and
wanted me to have a chance,”
Noreen said.
friends
She was expected to teach
Alice and Harland
for at least fi ve years unless she
“Dick” Noreen were mar-
got married, as married women
ried June 28, 1947.
were not allowed to teach at that
“Our wedding was pret-
time.
ty simple,” she said. “ . . .
Notable highlights and low-
No wedding invitations
lights of college included getting
were sent. We just said
a D in the folk dancing portion
‘open house,’ so anyone
of physical education, because
who wished came. The
her folks never knew how to
small church was packed,
dance and could not teach her Alice Noreen is pictured at her 100th birthday party with her grandon, Andrew Behrendt, who offi cated the and some were looking
how to do so; serving as presi- service at Lyndale Lutheran that day.
through the windows.”
SUBMITTED PHOTO
dent of the Rural Life Club for a
She remembers her hon-
quarter; and serving for a quarter
eymoon started in Minne-
make copies.
as president of Lawrence Hall, where she dealt with
A fi eld trip to Como Park turned into an adventure for apolis. They traveled to northern Minnesota and Cana-
chaos when a classmate threw a fi recracker down the her and the students she was transporting. On the way da before returning home, stopping at lakes and rivers
stairway from the third fl oor.
there, she followed someone else and had no problems. to fi sh along the way.
They moved into her parents’ home to care for her
Graduation brought mixed emotions.
“Coming home, I followed the same woman, but she
“We rejoiced because we were through, but sad decided to take a different road,” Noreen said. “She led father, who had had a heart attack in 1945. Noreen also
about saying goodbye to friends we weren’t sure we’d me right onto University Avenue, and then with more cared for her mother until her dying day.
The couple went on to have three children.
traffi c during the afternoon, I lost her. With a car full of
see again,” Noreen said.
Loren, 66, is married with one daughter and two
kids, I was really scared.”
Teaching
She eventually found her way back to Fish Lake via grandsons. He is a retired pharmacist.
For some, teaching at the school they attended would Robbinsdale.
Sandra, 65, is married with one son and two grand-
be a dream come true.
“I was a very happy and thankful person to get back sons. She is a retired piano instructor.
But, when the position at the Lyndale School was to the school safely,” Noreen said.
Jim, 60, is married with two sons and three grand-
available upon her graduation, she “didn’t think that
In her second year, she received a $5 per month raise, sons. He is a building contractor.
was wise because some of the kids had been my stu- but that wasn’t enough to keep her there after two years,
Her family and friends threw a party for her 100th
dents in Sunday school.”
and she transferred to Stubbs Bay seven miles from birthday at Lyndale Lutheran Church.
Instead, she opted for Fish Lake School No. 46, 20 home, and earned $110 per month.
They speak highly of her.
miles away near Osseo.
“You’re helping us all live our lives,” her goddaugh-
“Teachers were scarce due to the fact that defense
She received an offer of $85 per month – compared plants were paying better wages, so many teachers left ter Marilyn Lemke said. “I think of how many lives
to $75 per month many country schools paid – in 1940. teaching. Teachers’ salaries had to improve,” Noreen you’ve touched.
She remembers she also saw the fi lm “Gone with the said.
“Alice is interesting because she’s interested to hear
Wind” for the fi rst time that day.
There, she had a full-time janitor, a cook, a new about your story,” friend Cindy Sullwold added.
At Fish Lake, she taught more than 20 students in building with indoor plumbing, and better equipment
She’s not sure of the secret to a long life, but she has an
seven grades.
and materials. Better yet, she taught about 20 students idea of why she has accomplished the milestone.
“Just meeting the kids, trying to remember their in grades one through four.
“The Lord thinks I’m so bad, he’s punishing me,” she
names and the grade they were in, as well as getting 6-
She taught there for six years, before moving on to said with a laugh, before adding, “No, He must have
to 12-year-olds into seats to fi t and according to grade teach in Maple Plain for four years.
something for me.”
was hard in itself,” Noreen said.
After a six-year hiatus, she started substitute teaching
Limited technology made things interesting. For ex- for Carol Mooney in 1954 in Watertown. That turned
ample, she remembers using carbon paper to tediously into teaching remedial reading two days a week in Wa-
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Senior
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