home economics education, was a home economics and physical education teacher at Central High School in Fargo, and then began a career in direct sales with Artex Hobby Products. She rose through the ranks of the company, and its subsequent parent company, Tri-Chem, achieving the positions of regional sales director and zone vice president. She then worked in the IT division of NDSU for 16 years, retiring in 2011. She lived in Fargo.