Meet the Cooks - Click on each cook for more details
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Karen Andersen
Meet our Baker, Karen Andersen
Karen does an awesome job of mixing and baking all our buns, dinner rolls, swirl bread, muffins, crescent rolls, cookies and cinnamon rolls from scratch dough. She also bakes all our desserts.
What is something no one knows about You that you would like to share?
I used to go with my dad searching for Indian Artifacts. Sometimes walking a cornfield in the rain picking up tiny little beads. I also spent 27 years as a daycare provider. I have 4 senior girls who used to be my babies at daycare. Can you guess who they are?
Who inspires you?
My husband! He is my better half. He is always there for me. He helped me to stay positive through my cancer treatments. Also, my mom, spent her whole adult life cooking and cleaning for my dad and our five kids. She was the kindest person you could ever meet! I strive to be just like her.What are your favorite hobbies you like to do in your spare time?
I love spending time with my husband, 4 kids, and 7 grandkids. I also like cross-stitching, crocheting, puzzles, and reading murder mysteries.
What is one thing you would like graduating students to remember you for?
I would like graduating students to remember me as having a sense of humor and I could laugh right along with them at my mess-ups. I hope they miss some of the breads and desserts that I made for them. -
Kathy Beckman
Meet our Food Services Director, Kathy Beckman
Kathy is responsible for planning menus, ordering food, special diets, putting freight away, keeping track of inventory, vending, making sure the daily tasks of staff are completed and many other things too numerous to mention. She also likes to hear from students what menu they like or would like to see more often or any suggestions they want to see.
What is something no one knows about You that you would like to share?
When I was in High School I signed up to work in the school kitchen helping scrub pots and pans and in return received my lunch free. The kitchen staff would always give these students that came to help them, extra cookies or desserts. A little bonus for helping.
Also, before I became a Food Service Manager, I had a daycare. Their favorite snack was Peanut Butterfinger Bars, just like the ones we serve here at school.
Who inspires you?
Bee Heckert inspires me. Bee was the cook at my school. She always made scratch breads, cinnamon rolls and desserts. They were always fresh and tasted so good. She was a kind and caring person and you could tell by the great-tasting food she made.
What are your favorite hobbies you like to do in your spare time?
I like gardening in the summer. The extra produce I have out of my garden I like to bring to school and put on the fruit and veggie bar to share with the students. It’s always good to try new fruits and vegetables at any age. You might find a new favorite food.
What is one thing you would like graduating students to remember you for?
I would like graduates to remember me for providing them with a variety of foods that they loved and also for introducing them to new foods they may never have tried before. I would also like them to know I cared about them and their health. -
Susy Secrist
Meet our Sandwich Artist, Susy Secrist
Meet another new staff member, Susy Secrist. Susy is wonderful and helps out preparing B Choice Sandwiches or parfaits and also helps with serving dishes and anywhere else she is needed.
What is something no one knows about you that you would like to share?
I grew up in Michigan and moved to Colorado when I was 16. I raised my 6 kids there as a single parent most of the time. Worked hard and received my nursing degree in Colorado. I worked as a nurse for 27 years.
Who inspires you?
Children, as they grow up - grandkids and great-grandkids-make the world a better place. I like a challenge, and kids are at times a challenge.
What are your favorite hobbies you like to do in your spare time?
I like sewing, quilting, crocheting, and traveling. I have even found out recently that I love snorkeling and kayaking.
What is one thing you would like graduating students to remember you for?
I want kids to remember that they always have a choice. Think first and choose wisely.
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Morgan Henn
Meet our Fruit Specialist, Morgan Henn
Morgan is responsible for washing all fresh fruits and vegetables. She also makes sure we
Have enough canned fruit panned up and ready for service. She is also our dirty dish technician,
making sure we have clean dishes for each serving line during service.
What is something no one knows about you that you would like to share?
I love to watch sports. I watch all kinds of girls and boys sports from Boone Central
sports to pro football. I love basketball, volleyball, football, and baseball.
Another thing no one knows is my mom is an identical twin.
Who inspires you?
My mom, sister, and sister-in-law inspire me because they are hard-working and I think they are rockstars.
What are your favorite hobbies you like to do in your spare time?
I like to spend time with my family and babysit my nieces and nephews. I love watching
the Huskers play on TV. I also love to do puzzles.
What is one thing you would like graduating students to remember you for?
That I cared about them and always told them good luck on game days. -
Wendy Groenke
Meet our Salad Bar Specialist
Wendy describes her job as an episode of the FoodNetwork Series “Chopped”. We have a wide range of pantry ingredients as well as extra veggies or fruits that she mixes together and comes up with a salad or something new for students and staff to try. This is the part of my job that I love.
What is something no one knows about you that you would like to share?
In my home town of Lindsay. I am known as the “food lady.” I have cooked for many events, proms, steak feed fundraisers, and many special events for the Humphrey FFAProgram.Who inspires you?
My late mother inspired me. She was the kindest, most loving person I have ever known. Her generosity was incredible. She always made you feel loved and cared for, whether you were family or friends. She gave in so many ways to all those who were less fortunate.What are your favorite hobbies you like to do in your spare time?
I love to go “junkin”. I travel all over the state to various antique stores and flea markets. I love to find things I remember from childhood or the ultimate “bargain find”.What is one thing you would like a graduating student to remember you for?
I would like every student whether they believe it or not to know that all of our kitchen staff truly cares about each and every one of them and we are always concerned about putting out foods that are delicious as well as good for them nutritionally. We genuinely want them to enjoy their time with us each day.