Meet Terry Jenson
MEET TERRY JENSONTerry Jensen is a decorated soldier in the US Army National Guard. He never imagined that his biggest battle would not be the time he served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005, but rather fighting the cancer in in own body. My Happy...
Meet Carol Olinger
My name is Carol Olinger and never did I think I would be a recipient of a bedroom makeover, although I can assure you that our room definitely could use it. Because of that, I think my dream team, led by Katie Klemesrud, will be kept busy. My oldest granddaughter...
Meet Olivia Steffensmeier
Olivia's StorySometimes the bravest of the brave come in tiny little bodies. Meet Olivia (Liv). She is an incredibly smart, creative, spunky 7-year-old with two little sisters who look up to her as their superhero, and for good reason. Liv has beat cancer in a BIG...
Meet Kim Mogk
MEET KIM MOGK I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer on November 11, 2016. I had a dble. mastectomy and remained cancer-free until November 11, 2022, when I was diagnosed with early lung cancer. Between cancers, in November of 2018, I entered Prairie Ridge for my...
Meet Cole Barden
On March 7, 2009 I was diagnosed with an Ependymoma (brain tumor) at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. I had brain surgery on March 11, 2009. They could not get all of the tumor so I had 2 rounds of chemotherapy and a second brain surgery on May 19, 2009. Dr...
Edye’s Birthday Fundraiser
Edye's Birthday FundraiserAs many of you know during the month of November I love to Give back to the Community that I am a part of. This year for my Birthday I am asking my friends and family to consider joining with me in contributing to My Happy Place a brand new...
Meet Caitlyn Petrie
I received the most gut-wrenching news this last May when I was diagnosed with triple negative, Stage 3 breast cancer. I was told it was aggressive and had spread to my lymph nodes. I’ve gone through 8 rounds of chemotherapy and am currently recovering from a...
Meet Jennifer Keeran
'm Jennifer Keeran. I am a 52-year-old preschool teacher living in Mason City, Iowa. In June 2022 I had been having some discomfort and visited my family doctor. After a referral, and exploratory surgery, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. I was scheduled to...
Meet Chantel Stuart
My name is Chantel Stuart, I'm 38 years old and I have been battling cancer since March 27, 2017. My symptoms came on like a freight train and within 2 weeks I was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and I was diagnosed with Cervical Adenocarcinoma stage 2B. The...
Meet Jayne Ford
Meet Jayne Ford Following a colonoscopy on February 1st, 2022 the doctor told my husband and I that he found a tumor in my colon. I was 37 years old. I had been having symptoms on and off for one year including weight loss and blood in my stool. I attributed it to...
Meet Nancy Green
Meet Nancy Green Nancy is mom to 2 grown daughters and has 7 grandchildren. She met her husband of more than 40 years while at college in Mankato, and they stayed to raise their family locally. Nancy has spent the last 16 years working to help people with...
Meet Darah Spittle
Darah is a 37-year-old mother of 2, recently engaged. In October 2021, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 HER2+ Breast Cancer. She had 6 rounds of aggressive chemotherapy and has since had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, all while undergoing radiation. Your...
Meet Katrina Dorow
My heart is so full with gratitude after hearing the news from Marcie Kay that I have been nominated by my mother, Carol, and selected for the Happy Haven master bedroom makeover. When I heard the news, gratitude and relief flooded my body. Happy tears of joy! The...
Meet Kimberly Foell
MEET KIMBERLY FOELL In Sept. of 2021, Kim Fowell went in for her yearly mammogram. In October, she was brought in for an ultrasound and that is when her life changed. Kim was diagnosed with IDC Hers2+ breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy in Dec. 2021, started chemo in...
Meet Jennifer Tresch
I’m Jennifer Tresch. I’m 46 and I live with Bloom’s Syndrome. Bloom’s is a rare genetic disorder that causes small stature, a weakened immune system and more susceptibility to cancers. This past December, I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. This is my fourth time...
Meet Gracelyn Springer
Most people never meet their hero, I gave birth to mine. Meet Our Warrior Princess, Gracelyn Jo! Our life will forever be split in two, before November 14, 2020 and what came after. Gracelyn woke up with a severely painful headache and non-stop vomiting (after...
Meet Heather Marshall
Meet Heather Marshall I am a mom of 6 beautiful children. My favorite thing in life is being a mom, so the day I found a lump, my whole world flashed in front of my eyes. June 1, 2021, is when my results came in, and I received a call from the hospital explaining...
Meet Natalie Paulsen
Natalie was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) on June 24, 2021. An unusual bump that appeared on Natalie’s forehead led her to her an appointment with her pediatrician. Other than the physical sign of the bump, Natalie did not have any symptoms of illness....
Meet Elliot Krumm
Elliot Krumm was diagnosed with High Grade Large B Cell "Burkitt-like" Lymphoma in September of 2021. His cancer is also present in his spinal fluid. His tumor in his throat was so large it was beginning to block his airway and he required a temporary tracheotomy so...
Meet Jessica Howe
Jessica's Story I am blessed to be a registered nurse and have given all my time and talents to helping others when they need it the most. It’s been a gift from God to show grace and love to patients I have cared for. The medical team that has cared for me during my...