BIRTHDAY from Pg 11
a one-year normal school training class in Hutchinson.
She took the Luce Line train to school and back.
Sandquist remembers that the train conductors would
make a special stop for her at the top of a hill close
to her home on the farm. “I just walked down the hill
home,” she said.
Back to school
Following her teacher training, Sandquist taught
for fi ve years in Rural District 48 school. When she
began her teaching career, she had 20 students in her
classroom, and she taught eight grades. “I was also
the janitor, and started the fi re in the morning,” she
said. “I was the only adult there.”
Sandquist said there were advantages to having nu-
merous grades in the same classroom. “The younger
students would listen to the older and learn,” she
said.
Voted #1 Orchard, and #1 Apple Fritter
on Twin Cities Live
Luce Line Orchard
Opening Saturday, Aug. 31
FREE ADMISSION, FREE PARKING!
OPEN Weekends
through November
Wed. - Sun. from 10 am - 6 pm
Full Service Sat. & Sun.
7th Annual Star Gazing Party with
WCCO’s Mike Lynch
SATURDAY, SEPT. 7 • 7:45 - 10 PM
Eat at the grill, enjoy corndogs, cheese curds, a
cocktail bar, and listen to bluegrass from the band
“Mash Tun”, 5:30 - 7:30 pm!
FREE ADMISSION • FREE PARKING
STARTING SAT., SEPTEMBER 7
We will be serving corndogs and cheese curds!
The Raptor Center • Saturday, Sept. 14 • 1-3 pm
Four birds of prey and Q&A
Sheep Shearing • Saturday, Sept. 21 • 1-3 pm
Climb the
tire tower
Photos courtesy of the Sandquist family
Top, sisters Janice, Bernie,
Lucille, and Lorreta posed
for a photograph with their
parents, Carl and Jeanette
Carlson, in front of their
home on the farm. The farm
site is now home to the Luce
Line Orchard. Above left,
Carl Sandquist showed off
his horses in front of a barn on the property Above, right,
Bernadette Carlson (Sandquist) posed outside her farm
home on the occasion of her high school graduation in
1942.
A family of her own
One day, Sandquist and a sister took the bus home
from Minneapolis where they had been shopping.
Located in the friendly
river city of Watertown
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www.lucelineorchard.com
12
Senior
They stopped at the Hollywood Store, which served
as a grocery store and a bar. “And there was Cliff,”
she said. (The Hollywood Store site is now home to
the Hollywood Sports Complex.)
One thing led to another, and Cliff and Bernadette
married. The pair decided she could stay home, and
retire from her teaching career. Soon enough, son Jim
came along.
“I had been married awhile,” Sandquist recalled,
“and a teacher shortage happened. The school board
begged me to come back.” Sandquist complied, and
taught for several years at the Oak Lake School.
The teacher shortage continued, and Sandquist soon
found herself in even higher demand. “The Watertown
superintendent begged me to come teach,” she said.
Sandquist complied again, and upgraded her teach-
ing degree at the university in St. Cloud. She went on
to teach fourth grade for several years, before fi nish-
ing her career working in special education.
Although Sandquist didn’t mention she was a pop-
ular teacher, her niece, Nancy Rodgers did. “A 40-
year reunion class from Watertown invited Bernie to
attend because they loved her so much,” she said.
Still spry at 95
And we have beer
and wine for sale!
2755 Rose Ave., Watertown
Photo by Nancy Dashwood
Bernadette Sandquist had smiles and hugs for the many
family members and friends who attended her 95th birth-
day party on the farm site where she grew up. The site is
now home to the Luce Line Orchard, in rural Watertown.
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Connections September 2019
The party for Sandquist’s 95th birthday at the Luce
Line Orchard turned out to be a real bash. More than
50 friends and relatives attended, and many brought
family photographs and stories to share.
The lady of honor welcomed each guest, and added
a few photos and stories of her own. Attendees got to
nosh on a BBQ meal, with chops grilled just for them
by Luce Line Orchard owner Pawelk. And, of course,
there were presents and a big, bright birthday cake.
The smile never left Sandquist’s face. She was sur-
rounded by family, and happily, home once again.
Senior Connections HJ.COM