Each month, we introduce you to two or three friendly faces of Calvary. This month, we meet Amy Sauder and Jodi Ouverson!
Meet Amy Sauder…dairy farmer and girl mom
Tell us about your family and how you ended up on the farm.
I’m fifth generation on our family farm. On my dad’s side of the family, there were two brothers, Hiram and Klaus Alberts, who arrived from Germany and settled in Dodge and Goodhue counties in the mid 1800s. Hiram married Katherine Kundert and they raised their 14 children. Hiram, after returning from the Civil War, suffered headaches the rest of his life. One of their sons was my great grandfather, Hiram Jr. In 1919, his son, Lloyd brought home four Registerd Holsteins from the U of M where he had been a student. Today every animal on our farm relates back to those four. In a partnership that has been handed down, my three brothers and I and several other family members manage the milking and feeding of a 650 cow milking herd. Our milk is processed by Land O Lakes and sold in Walmart stores. Stan and our 5 daughters, along with their cousins, are part of the sixth and seventh generations on the farm.
On my mother’s side, her dad, Ole Olson emigrated from Norway at 19 and never saw his mother again. He and Josie Wurst raised four daughters on a subsistence farm near Eyota. When my mom, Florence was working in Rochester in her 20s, she met my dad, Kenneth, at a singles gathering called Rural Youth.
My mom, devoutly Christian, sent me to every VBS in town plus Camp Victory and at 8, my Counselor, Linda Hibst led me to the Lord. Though I hesitated to share my faith very much, I remember knowing deep inside how loved I was and that I had a special relationship with Jesus, a relationship that has given me peace and courage throughout my life.
Have you always lived on the farm?
After graduating from Pine Island HS in 1983, I spent five years attending UWRF and developing a career in broadcast journalism. I ended up working in personality radio and news for nearly 20 years. I lived in 12 cities in one decade. Midway into my career, I landed a job at the number one station in Denver, Colorado doing morning news. That’s where Stan and I met at work. His kind nature and his closeness with his family drew me in. Learning of his committed faith in Christ sealed the deal for me. After we married, he followed my career to Dallas, TX then back to Mpls and we’ve made a home at my family farm in Pine Island. Stan has worked fulltime as a video engineer at Mayo for 22 years.
Tell us about your five daughters.
We are raising and homeschooling five daughters, such miraculous young women. Aren’t all children uniquely and wonderfully made? Valerie, after graduating from U of M, is working in Minneapolis at a marketing agency for agriculture companies. Amanda is a junior at UW River Falls in Ag Communications. Ellie is 17, a senior, and works at a restaurant and at Camp Victory. Josie is 15 and plays basketball, raises sheep, and works at the dairy farm. Dorothy is 9 and keeps everyone on their toes with her creativity! We stay active in the homeschool community as members of the Rochester Association of Christian Home Educators board and the Dodge County Association board.
Describe an average day in your life.
There’s no average day in my life. I feel my life is just about as diverse as it can be. Many days are unpredictable. I might start the day milking cows at 2am, facilitate a life changing holistic health consultation, and end it as the MC of a homeschoolers annual picnic. Ten years ago I joined a company that allows me to work from anywhere and do health and nutrition consulting. Showing others a way to live stronger longer is the most rewarding work outside of parenting! Some of my days are 200 mile days getting kids to lessons and activities and their work.
Stan’s dad, Dick Sauder, 92, moved here from Colorado in 2018 to be closer to us, and lives in a house he rents from my family. I also take him to the gym every week. We appreciate a multi-generational life.
Do you have a favorite family heirloom?
My favorite gift from my family is the legacy of caring for the land and the work ethic of doing a job well. My heritage on this land is something that shapes me and keeps me in line. Even though my parents and uncle are gone, I live to please them daily.
Is there a defining time in your life?
A defining time in my life was the day my mom had a stroke. It was a year after my dad had passed away. She needed me and I dug in with four kids under 8- we tended to her as she recovered, learned about brain injury and speech therapy and caring for widows. Being at my mom’s side in the final two weeks she was with us on earth in 2018 was a gift God gave to me.
What are the benefits and challenges of life on the farm?
Not a lot of people live on farms anymore. What are the benefits? My work at Alberts Bros is what I was born into. As a current fill in and part time employee, my hours are not always planned but can come at any time of day or night. Milking, feeding calves, running to town for parts…every day is different and problem-solving is the top skill needed.
The most challenging part of production agriculture is educating others on where and how our food is produced and what an amazing bargain it is for consumers in the US. Take a look around the store and think of all the people who play a part in getting it to us. It’s unfathomable!
What are key ways you live out your faith?
I believe we live our faith in our relationships. I try hard to work on my listening skills. I’m inspired by the Titus2 woman and look forward to each time I can share my experiences of growth with another. I believe our challenges are there to grow us into stronger people and we can use that strength to lift others up when they need it. Our children have a window of time when their belief systems are forming. It’s a privilege to spend our days with them and pass on experiences and wisdom. They are watching us and will repeat our paths.
Meet Jodi Ouverson…homeschool veteran and book enthusiast
Can you tell a bit about your childhood and how you ended up where you are today?
I grew up in the small Iowa town of Lake Mills. It’s 6 miles south of the Minnesota border. I have one brother, Jeff, who is 4 years older than me. My parents are still married and are getting close to their 50th anniversary. Both sets of my grandparents lived close to us and we saw them often. My childhood was very happy.
Please share about your family.
My Husband, Luke, and I have been married for 25 years in May and have 3 kids..Luke is the Laboratory Automation Manager at The Binding Site, a research lab in Rochester. Evan, our oldest child, is 22 and works at Tom Kadlec Honda in Rochester. Our son, Sam, is 21 and in the army. He and his wife Maria (Saski) are stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX and expecting their first baby in January. Our youngest, Ella, is 18 and just graduated from high school. She is an assistant teacher at New Horizon Academy in Rochester.
What fills your time these days?
I love to read and try to get at least a few pages read every day. I’ve recently taken up sewing. I’m not great at it yet but I’m enjoying it. I also do quite a bit of baking.
What do you buy for fun?
Books!! I have a library full of antique books. I also read and buy new books but the old ones are so much fun.
What are 3 things you highly value?
My faith, my family, and my health.
What is something you have of sentimental value?
My grandmother’s wedding ring.
Do you have an accomplishment you’re proud of?
Homeschooling 3 kids is a huge accomplishment.
Do you have an all-time favorite book or two?
Ugh! How do I choose?! I think my favorite book is The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. I could read it many times and still love it. I have a first edition copy of it in my library.
Where do you serve at Calvary?
Luke and I help serve dinner to Calvary families and youth on Wednesday nights.
