My Life

Richard T. Nelson grew up in Edina. Central Minnesota knows him as Dick Nelson, the host of 98.1 FM's Classic County Show for decades.

WJON News Director Jim Maurice grew up in Maynard, Minnesota, a small town in west Central Minnesota south of Willmar and north of Granite Falls. His family lived in the town of approximately 500 people.

This is the story of longtime Athletic Director and volleyball coach Carol Howe Veenstra. Carol Howe was born in Detroit Lakes, the family moved to Green Bay before relocating to Crosby, Minnesota when Carol was in 2nd grade. She says she grew to appreciate growing up in a small town environment.

St. Cloud's longest serving Mayor Dave Kleis' time as Mayor wraps up Monday January 13. I sat down with Mayor Kleis a few years ago for WJON's My Life series to talk about the path that led him to where he is now.

History has been his life. Longtime Stearns History Museum employee and award winning John Decker joined me on WJON for our My Life series. Decker was born in Richmond and grew up with his 3 siblings and parents in Cold Spring. John's father, Wally and many of his uncles worked in the granite industry in Cold Spring.

Everybody has a story to tell and this is the story of St. Cloud City Council Member Mike Conway. Conway grew up in Rosemount in the Twin Cities metro with his brother, mother and father.

The well traveled Anne Buckvold is the latest person to join me for WJON's My Life series. Buckvold grew up in southwest Minneapolis with her brother, mother and father. She recalls growing up with the basics and her father didn't believe in spending money on college.

St. Cloud City Council person and lawyer Carol Lewis is the latest person to be feature on WJON's My Life Series. Carol grew up in St. Cloud and is the oldest of 3 children, she has 2 younger brothers.

Everyone has a story to tell and this is the story of WJON personality, travel expert and "Stump the Panel" panelist, Mike Smith. Mike grew up in Cottage Grove, just south of St. Paul in the Twin Cities Metro. Mike is the youngest of 4 kids.

Longtime St. Cloud area resident, businessman, historian and travel expert, Jim Grabinski joined me for an appearance on WJON's My Life Series. Jim grew up in Sauk Rapids in the 1940s and 50s and was within what he calls running distance to downtown.

Liberty Bank CEO Mark Braegelman is proud to say he's lived in the city limits of St. Cloud his entire life. Mark grew up on the north side of St. Cloud with an older sister. His father worked at Franklin Manufacturing, which was later known as Electrolux, for 40 to 45 years.

In this edition of WJON's My Life series we examine the life of former St. Cloud Times sportswriter turned author, Kevin Allenspach. Kevin grew up west of Garrison, Minnesota near Lake Mille Lacs and went to high school in Brainerd.