Contributing Writers

 Gloria Bauske is the mother of two adult sons, Buck and Bart, and twin grandchildren, Pepper and Greyson. For 36 years she has resided on an acreage northeast of Flandreau, SD with husband Reg. She is a freelance writer published in the United States, England and Jerusalem and has written two books titled Petals on the Prairie and Pebbles on the Prairie, short stories about growing up in rural South Dakota, and three books of poetry titled, When Heart and Soul Collide, Puddles on the Prairie and Against the Grain. The South Dakota Humanities
Council recently published a book titled Life on the Farm & Ranch that includes two short stories written by her titled Record Snow Falls and Christmas on the Farm. Gloria is a Master Gardener that enjoys vegetable and flower gardening. The couple established a small vineyard three years ago and the grapes are produced into a red table wine they share with family and friends.

Ruchi Bhatia, MD, specializes in women’s internal medicine at Sanford Clinic Women’s Health Internal Medicine in Sioux Falls, SD. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. In her practice, she believes connecting with women can make all the difference. Her focus is on comprehensive internal medicine and ambulatory care. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and reading.

Dr. Ruth Bolton, is a graduate of Mayo Medical School. She has practiced family medicine in the Twin Cities for 25 years until December of 2008 when she joined the ISJ – Mayo System in Mankato, MN. Earlier in her career, she was unit director of the North Memorial Unit of the University of Minnesota Family Practice Residency program for 8 years and then started a non-profi t clinic in Plymouth, MN. She speaks regularly for many different events and has a heart for students and residents. She has a special interest in women’s health and medical research as well as teaching family medicine. Her outside interests are golf, sailing, travel and Bible study. 

Aaron Britz is the president of Legacy Wealth Management Inc, a financial services firm that specializes in helping thriving and surviving women. Aaron’s career spans over 10 years in the financial services arena including previous roles as a financial analyst for National Franchise Sales and as an investment representative for Edward Jones Investments. He is a Registered Financial Consultant (RFC) which requires extensive course work and education in personal financial areas. Aaron Britz is a registered representative with and offers securities through LPL Financial, Member FINRA / SIPC. A lifelong resident of Minnesota, Aaron is active in his church and enjoys volunteering with the local high school football team. In his spare time, Aaron enjoys hunting, fishing and outdoor activities. For more information visit his website at www.LegacyWealthMN.com or email him directly at abritz@legacywealthmn.com.

Rachel Britz is the marketing and client services coordinator with Legacy Wealth Management Inc, a financial services firm that specializes in helping thriving and surviving women. She has 13 years of business marketing and management experience. Rachel has climbed traditional corporate ladders within the property management industry, has owned and operated a commercial cleaning business and has ran a successful cookie business from her home. Together with her husband, Registered Financial Consultant, Aaron Britz, they aim to empower women with meaningful financial resources and information. She is a busy mother of three children and active member of her church. In her spare time she enjoys reading, creative writing, baking and a good run every once in a while. For more information visit her website at www.LegacyWealthMN.com or email her directly at rbritz@legacywealthmn.com.  

Alyssa Cox is the director of trend, CAD and color for Christopher & Banks, a specialty women’s retailer with 812 stores across the US. She is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a BS in apparel design and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, with an AAS in fashion design. Alyssa started her career as a lingerie designer for a privatelabel company before becoming a sportswear designer for Liz Claiborne. She spent about ten years as a designer in the New York City area before relocating to Plymouth, MN to join Christopher & Banks. As the director of trend, CAD and color, Alyssa is responsible for developing the color palettes and setting the themes of the collections for each season, as well as overseeing the development of original print and pattern designs for both the Christopher & Banks and CJ Banks brands.

Leah Davis has worked for Workforce Resources for several years, acting as the firm’s controller and payroll and benefi ts manager. She holds an accounting degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato and is a Certified Public Accountant with over five years of experience. Leah lives in Vernon Center, MN with her husband, Landon, and her young daughter, Norah. She enjoys spending time with her family and being active in her community, serving on the Vernon Center city council and volunteering with various organizations. Contact Leah at leah.davis@workforce-resources.com.

Colette Drager is the owner and president of Workforce Resources, a human resources management outsourcing and consulting firm based in Mapleton, MN. Colette lives in Mapleton with her husband, Bill, a livestock and crop farmer, and her teenagers, Samantha and Charlie. She enjoys being very active in the community, serving on the Maple River school board and volunteering for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Dollars for Scholars and the Maple River AAA Foundation. Contact Colette at c.drager@workforce-resources.com.

Kristie Gaalswyk attends the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, where she is pursuing a degree in journalism and theatre. Kristie enjoys writing, reading, singing, acting, meeting new people, traveling, broadening her horizons, and spending time with friends and family. She is originally from the small town of Trimont, MN, and therefore is thrilled to be given the opportunity to cover the incredible stories of women who reside in the area where she was born and raised.

Diana Gabriel, PCC lives in Mankato, MN and is a Professional Certifi ed Coach by the International Coaches Federation. Diana brings to coaching over twenty-five years of experience helping people find meaning and purpose in their lives while achieving their goals and moving toward wellness and wholeness. She is a thought-provoking speaker and facilitator who conducts workshops and retreats focused on strengthening leadership skills. In addition, she facilitates programs for individual development. Visit Diana’s website at www.dianagabriel.com.

Siri Heille, MA, RN, CNP is a Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner and a member of the medical team at Dulcimer Medical Center in Fairmont, Minnesota. Prior to joining Dulcimer, Siri was a nurse practitioner provider in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology-Division of Urogynecology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and has experience treating women with urinary incontinence and pelvic floor disorders. Siri is married to John, a pastor, and has three daughters.

Robin Larson has worked as a writer since 1991. She has a degree in theatre/dance from Luther College in Decorah, IA. In addition to writing, she loves music, history and the outdoors. A native Iowan, she now makes her home in St. Peter, MN, where she lives with her two children.

Christine Bernier Lienke is an adventurous freelance writer who is always looking for a story about an exciting new venue. After earning her bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Minnesota State University-Mankato, Christine started on her path of writing. She was born and raised in Northwest Iowa and now resides in Northfield, MN, with her wonderful and patient husband of 17 years, Garret, and two children. Raising her children, Jarred 13 and Taylor 6, has been her greatest and most fulfilling adventure yet.

Myrna CG Mibus has always loved being a stay-at-home mom to Rosemary, age 10 and Ryan, 7.  About five years ago, Myrna CG Mibus realized she needed some respite from Veggie Tales, baby talk and changing diapers. She has always enjoyed telling stories so she started working, very part-time, as a freelance writer. Not only did she enjoy getting out of the house once in awhile, Myrna discovered she really liked writing. Now that both kids are in school, she has more writing opportunities. Family, travel and interesting people are her favorite subjects. Myrna and her husband, Owen, are both pilots and the Mibus family lives at a residential airport near Webster, MN. In addition to flying her 1955 Piper Pacer with her family, Myrna enjoys quilting, singing, gardening and reading.

Judy Ness is the owner/broker of Homestead Realty LLC, with office locations in Winnebago and Mapleton, MN. She has 24 years of experience in the local market. Judy and her husband James have three adult children. James and youngest son, Judd, work with Judy in the real estate business. In her free time, Judy enjoys snow and water skiing, directing the church choir, performing in community theater and spoiling her new grandson.

Dianna Nicolai moved back to her hometown of Riceville, IA, a few years ago and loves being “back home”. Her first Christian romance novel, A Love Like That, was published in 2007. A freelance writer, Dianna is also busy working on her next novel. She enjoys gardening, reading and scrapbooking, and claims to be very addicted to quilting. She and her husband Delgene have nine very special grandchildren. Check out her website at www.diannanicolai.com or you can email her at dinicolai@yahoo.com.

Sharon Nittinger, MA, MS is founder and presenter of Nittinger Seminars. Her professional work in training and development, combined with her master’s in psychology and master’s in management, has made her an expert facilitator and educator in the area of interpersonal communication effectiveness. With the intent to help others become better versions of themselves, Sharon speaks on the topic of motherhood and offers seminars for living life with purpose and fulfillment. Though she hasn’t lived in Mankato since high school, Sharon still thinks of Minnesota as home. Sharon and her husband, Bill, live in Ohio with their two children. In addition, Sharon has written the book Rediscovering the Person You Lost. Visit her website at www.nittingerseminars.com or e-mail her at: sharon@nittingerseminars.com.

Nina Patten is a life-long resident of the small community of Huntley, MN. She and her husband Sam own Patten Roofing. Nina has a degree in management from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She is gifted with a sense of humor and enjoys reading, playing piano, cooking and spending summer weekends in Okoboji, IA. You can email her at nina@women-inc.com.

Jonathan Reed is a freelance writer, photographer and marketing research consultant located in Mount Vernon, IA. He has lifelong ties to Northwestern Iowa and has had a varied career in daily journalism, advertising copywriting and producing, and international marketing research. Jonathan can usually be found most weekends in the Okoboji, IA area helping his wife, Janet, with her condominium vacation rental business, www.rentalsatstonefountain.com, which explains his interest in writing about entrepreneurial women. 

Kim Reutzel, BA, MA is a bestselling author, speaker and founder of Inspiration for Women Ministries, a non-profit / non-denominational Christian counseling center, located in Burt, IA. She earned a master’s degree in Clinical Christian Counseling from Cornerstone University. Kim has been featured on the 700 Club, the Harvest Show and numerous radio shows across the country for her bestselling book, Kissing and Cooking for Couples. Kim loves to encourage others to be and know the person God has created them to be. Kim has been married to Del for 25 years and has two children and one grandchild. For more information and to sign up for Kim’s blog posts go to www.kissingandcooking.com

Eve Ruotsinoja is a rolling stone. She recently graduated with a BA in flute performance and a BA in English literature and now, like most people with those degrees, doesn’t quite know what to do. You might hear her occasionally substituting in your local orchestra or find a word or two she wrote dribbling across a page, but most of the time she’s peering into some screen or another searching for circumstances that ought to be simple and ought to make sense, but for reasons called human nature are profoundly confused.

Audrey Thomas is a national speaker, author and organizing consultant who grew up on an Iowa farm.  She is the author of several books including What’s for Dinner? and 50 Ways to Leave Your Clutter. She is passionate about helping others bring peace and calm to their homes and become more productive, effective employees at the office.  When she’s at home she enjoys scrapbooking and gardening and is currently learning how to ballroom dance. She and her husband live in Minneapolis and are recent empty nesters. For more information visit her website at www.OrganizedAudrey.com or E-mail her at Audrey@OrganizedAudrey.com