My name is Deb Barnes, and I am humbled to be the 25-26 Rotary President.  I grew up just south of Green Bay, WI, on a dairy farm, came to MN to attend Bethany College and then MN State and became a tried-and-true Minnesotan.  I moved to Blue Earth for my first job as a social worker, introduced myself to my neighbor who a year later became my husband. I worked as a long-term care social worker for 10 years before returning to the U of M for long term care administration. I might add this return to school was when my children were four and one!   

 

I held several administrative positions around the area, but our home base remained Blue Earth, where my husband taught and coached.  I was hired as the Executive Director at Lakeview Methodist in 2014, and it has been the highlight of my career.  We have amazing Christian board members, Department Directors and staff who are singularly focused on Resident care and comfort.  Looking forward is what we do best, from building our new nursing home to remodeling our assisted living and independent apartments, to welcoming child day care into our building, and presently building a new child day care center for 99 children!  

 

Joining Rotary helped me to meet so many wonderful people whose focus is on helping, serving, and sharing. I especially enjoy being part of Strive!  Personally, I enjoy reading, taking classes, writing, walking, entertaining, and visiting my daughter and her husband in Golden Valley, and my son and his wife and three children in St. Charles.

 

Deb Barnes