Lisa Kuehn Baune (Fulton's Grandmother)

LISA BAUNE ANSWERS
When and where were you born?
Redwood Falls, MN    May 26th, 1967
Is there a reason you were given the first and middle name you have?
Not sure why I was named Lisa.  I guess my mom/dad just liked the name!  My middle name is Mary…after my mom.
 Are there any stories you know about your birth or when you were a baby that you can share?
I know that my mom got asthma when pregnant with me.  When I was born it just went away.  When my mom was in labor it started late at night or early morning…sleeping time. When she told my dad she was in labor and that it was time to go he said “Can’t you wait?” 
Where did you grow up? 
Redwood Falls, MN.   1st grade through 12th grade.
What kinds of games did you play with your siblings and the other kids you were around as a child?
We had tea parties!  We rode our bikes all over the place.  We played all kinds of ball. 
What were meaningful traditions that you remember from your childhood?
Mom always tried to make our birthdays special.  We would have birthday parties at home or various locations.  Christmas was always special.  Good food and presents on Christmas Eve.
What are memories about your mother and father that you would like to share?  Any funny stories? Stories from when they were growing up?
We grew up camping and having cabins on the lake.  We always had a good time doing this as a family.  We had snowmobiles, four wheelers and boats growing up, so we were always up to some kind of fun.  Mom and dad really liked being around us kids.  We would go to plays in a park, go on picnics, etc. 


What were your grandparents like? Did you see them often? Do you remember any stories that they shared from their childhoods?
Joe and Ann Trandahl were my mom’s parents.  They lived in Redwood Falls as well so we saw them often.  I remember Sunday dinners there.  Mashed potatoes and gravy always comes to mind…ham too I think!  I believe my grandpa’s (Joe) parents came over from Norway.
Mildred Kuehn was my dad’s mom.  She lived on a farm in Echo, MN which was about 20 miles or so from Redwood Falls.  Grandpa Kuehn died before I was born so I never knew him.  We did see quite a bit of Grandma Kuehn growing up.
What was being a teenager like when you were growing up? Did you have a job? Date? Have a car? A curfew?
Being a teenager for me meant responsibilities.  I had chores to do around the house…inside and sometimes outside.  I did have jobs since I was in junior high school.  I worked in the fields which meant rouging sunflowers, detassel corn, and weed out the bean fields. Later in high school I worked as a cashier at Pamida, and cleaned the highway department (where my mom worked) on the weekends.  I never had my own car in high school but a car was always available for me to get to work and friends would always pick me up when needed if we went out.  As far as a curfew…I don’t remember I had one. 
How did you meet your spouse? How long did you date before you knew you wanted to get married? Would you be willing to share your proposal story? What was your wedding day like?
I met Kaylee’s dad at a dance when I was a junior in high school.  He had graduated high school already.  We dated 2 ½ years before getting married in June 1988.  The proposal was actually very uneventful.  We knew we were getting engaged so it was just a pretty quick “will you marry me?” and that was it.  The wedding day was HOT!  If I recall correctly it was close to 100 degrees.  Luckily everything was inside so people didn’t have to suffer too bad.
What were your hopes/dreams when you started college? Did they change as time went by?
To be honest I never really wanted to go to college, it was never really a dream.  I did attend St Cloud State University September 1985 – February 1996.  Then just always was working.  (I do wish now that I had attended and finished some sort of post high school schooling)

Did you always know you wanted to have children? The number? Did you always know you would love your oldest the best?(Just kidding)
No! Way back when, it wasn’t a dream to get married and have children.  In high school I never would have dreamed that I would have had 5 kids! But I did and I would not give any of them up for anything. 
What was important to you when raising your children? Life lessons you wanted them to experience? Traditions that you wanted to have in your family?
While raising the kids we were all always pretty close.  We did a lot of things together and spent a lot of time together at home or the lake.  They grew up/are growing up having pretty much the same traditions I had growing up.  Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve spent at home celebrating (on rare occasion those holidays may have been spent somewhere else but we were always together as a family).
Are they or have they been different for your grandchildren than your children?
I unfortunately, up to this point haven’t had the opportunity to spend holidays with Kaylee and they boys.  Living across country makes it hard to divide time between the kids.  I suspect Kaylee is going to have pretty much the same holiday traditions with her kids as she had growing up.
Can you talk about a meaningful gift you received in your life?
That would be the night I got engaged to my now fiancé Tony! It was a totally unexpected proposal but one I am very thankful for.  A gorgeous engagement ring went along with that proposal.  It is a gift I will cherish forever as it came from someone who means the world to me. 
What is the best gift you have ever given? (Just something that got a joyful response from the receiver)
OMG!  The gift that got the most joyful and humorous response was when we gave a snowboard (of all things) to Jaimee for her birthday!  It was the funniest most dramatic thing I have ever seen!  It was recorded but unfortunately lost somewhere now. 
What has helped you stay hopeful in difficult times?
My fiancé Tony.  He has been a very positive influence in my life.  Also, just trying to keep a positive mindset and know that whatever is going on now or any negative feelings  felt at the moment are only temporary….just keep looking ahead
Can you share something that you think is important in achieving happiness?
Surround yourself with good, positive, and supportive people.  I think that is the key to being happy.  Also spend time doing things you enjoy and work with what you are passionate about
What has surprised you about getting older? (no gross physical ailments please) (hahaha!)
It’s not a surprise but I don’t like it!  Time is flying way too fast!!