This week I was delighted to interview a Menomonie graduate who is known for her creativity, intellect, compassion, and curiosity—Luisa Gerasimo.
Luisa attended MHS from middle school through the first half of 9th grade and returned to MHS for the last half of her senior year.
Her main memories from high school revolve around three teachers she especially admired and learned from. The word that first came to her mind when she mentioned High School Honors English teacher (as well as her forensics co-coach) Ellwyn Hendrickson was “amazing!” His knowledge and rigorous expectations were sometimes a challenge, but always a learning experience. As a lover of poetry, Luisa chose that category to successfully compete in forensics events regionally and at the state level. She used poems by Jeanne Lohmann on death, setting her apart from the competition, which that year favored poems for children.
Pat Reisinger, her Home Economics teacher, also left a mark on Luisa. Mrs. Reisinger helped her sew her first seam and improve her baking skills.
The third teacher that Luisa knew she would never forget was choir teacher Karen Peterson. Not only was she excellent in the music field, but she also related well to the students in her choirs. Luisa recalls being dressed in a full-length ball gown while singing and dancing with Joe Wagner to “Shall We Dance” from the musical “The King and I” at a memorable MHS concert where the microphone malfunctioned.
After graduation, Luisa participated in a federal work/study program where she was assigned to The Mabel Tainter Memorial Library. She remembers climbing the ladders to get to the highest bookshelves. she also remembers the Pinkepank sisters who worked there. (Those of you who go way back in time may remember them as iconic figures who were ever-present to keep the library organized and to serve as support for learning. A small, framed photo of them still hangs in the main reading room).
Luisa also worked at Bubbling Springs Farm which is celebrating 55 years this month. The family milked cows and grew organic crops. Like most farm kids she helped with barn chores, made hay and weeded gardens. To this day, anything relating to the natural environment is something Luisa loves. She especially enjoys camping and canoeing in the Boundary Waters.
When Luisa and her mother took a road trip to attend a family wedding in San Francisco, they visited the stately campus of Mills College in Oakland where Luisa hoped to apply. This private women’s college was a beautiful and serene environment; she knew she wanted to attend. Luisa remembers the graffiti in the bathrooms which showed caring and intellect instead of insults or worse. The college was a multicultural microcosm where she double-majored in Sociology and Anthropology, with an emphasis in Ethnic Studies—all areas of interest that helped her in the career paths she later followed. Following graduation in 1986, Luisa worked in Admissions for six years at UW-River Falls.
She had met her future husband, Mike, in high school in Minneapolis in 1979. They married in 1988. Luisa and Mike then re-built a house on her family farm and have “pretty much been there ever since.’
Mike is a master carpenter who founded Bubbling Springs Solar, a solar thermal manufacturing business, with Luisa in the early 2000s. Their business was purchased in 2009. Mike is now “retired” but seems to be working more hours than ever keeping the family beef farm going.
Luisa received a Master of Arts in Leadership at Augsburg University in 2013. She noted that kid number one graduated from Stout that year, and kid number two graduated from MHS. “We had a memorable giant party for the three of us that summer.”
When asked about her career she decided to list what she’s currently involved in: Human Development and Relationship Educator; ‘Strong Couples’ online coach; Facilitator for jail literacy program; Making Reading Memories program (parents read to their children and the recording/book are sent to their children); teacher of parenting courses through UW-Extension; Chair of the Dunn County Housing Action Team; Board member of the United Way of the St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys, and of the Charter Oak Foundation.
In their free time, Luisa and Mike enjoy canoeing the Boundary Waters and spending time at their cabin near Canada. Luisa also likes traveling with her mother and sisters. Among the places they’ve been to are France, Greece, Basque country (Spain), and New Orleans.
When discussing why growing up in Menomonie was such a positive experience, Luisa listed the beauty of the natural environment and the caring community. She also appreciates the clean water and rolling hills. One of her fondest memories is attending the band concerts in Wilson Park.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with Luisa for this interview. Her enthusiasm for life shone through everything we discussed. We can be glad that Luisa decided to make Menomonie her permanent home!