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15 Minutes

RACHEL NELSON LOUPEE

Resides: Marshalltown

Hometown: Neola

FAMILY LIFE

Family: I am married to Mike Loupee and have three sons: Aaron, 24, who lives in Florida, and twins Nate, 2 and Jake, 2. My parents are Donna and Orie Nelson, of Neola. I have an older brother, Brian, of Des Moines.

Pets: Lola, a 2.5 year-old standard poodle we also call our “triplet.”

Hobbies and interests: Reading while at the beach, watching baseball or football, cross-stitching, crocheting and being with family.

WORK

Occupation: I am a business teacher at Marshalltown High School.

What that means: I teach non-computer business courses like accounting, financial literacy, marketing and principles of business. I get the chance to work with high schoolers and watch as they develop into amazing, young adults.

Tenure: I will begin my 13th year in August.

If I could change jobs I would be a/do: A cultural anthropologist, because I am fascinated by the way people have changed throughout time.

FAVORITES

Book: The 1940-50s era “Betsy and Tracy” children’s series by Maud Hart Lovelace and “Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral” by Kris Radish.

Movies: “Casablanca,” directed by Michael Curtiz, and “Stand By Me,” directed by Rob Reiner.

Food: Anything Italian with red sauce.

Sports: The Green Bay Packers of the National Football League, the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball and MHS Swimming.

COMMUNITY

Best part of living here: I greatly enjoy the neighborhood we live in and the support our community gives to local initiatives.

Most influential people: My mom, because when I was growing up she did it all well. Now, it is my husband, Mike, because he is always giving back to MHS.

Local involvement: I am treasurer of Psi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, treasurer of the Marshalltown Education Association and a member of MEA’s contract negotiation team.

Advice on life: “I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy – I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.”- Art Williams.

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15 Minutes is a Saturday feature about central Iowans. The question and answer format lends itself be completed or read in 15 minutes or less. To submit a name for consideration or to participate, contact Times-Republican Staff and Features Reporter Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com

15 Minutes

CALEB CARVER

Resides: Marshalltown

Hometown: Alburnett

FAMILY LIFE

Family: My parents are Jim and Roberta Carver and my best brother is Michael Schlitter.

Hobbies and interests: Drawing, stained glass and theater.

WORK

Occupation: Youth coordinator with the Iowa State University-Marshall County Extension & Outreach office in Marshalltown.

What that means: I help plan and implement various youth programs. Also, I work with 4-H members and help them with the Central Iowa Fair and Iowa State Fair. I provide educational and other opportunities for them to grow into amazing individuals.

Tenure: Three months.

FAVORITES

Book: My favorite is the “Old Man and The Sea,” by Ernest Hemingway.

Movies: I love movies. My favorites would be the James Bond series, “The Godfather,”directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” directed by George Roy Hill.

Foods: I love pot roast, mash potatoes and gravy. All American food!

Sports: I am a fan of all Iowa State Cyclones’ sports and the Minnesota Twins of major league baseball.

COMMUNITY

Most influential people: My father and mother, who have taught me a lot about being a compassionate person and doing what is right.

Additionally, Michael Schlitter and Jessica Routier, who have showed me how to work hard, and trust, that in uncertain situations, everything will work out. Finally, Doni Sheldon and Amy Pieper, who have taught me a good deal about connecting with people in a meaningful way.

Local involvement: I hope to get involved in a service organization and a local church.

Advice on life: My advice is to always be compassionate, problems are only as big as you make them and try to always find the good in people.

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15 Minutes is a Saturday feature about central Iowans. The question and answer format lends itself be completed or read in 15 minutes or less. To submit a name for consideration or to participate, contact Times-Republican Staff and Features Reporter Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com

15 Minutes

JANET COLLISON

Resides: Marshalltown

Hometown: On a farm outside of Lone Rock.

FAMILY LIFE

Family: My husband is Dr. John Collison. My children are Jack and Jane. John is a Marshallltown dentist. Jack attends Iowa State University and studies electrical engineering. Jane is a physical therapist and married to Jeremy Anderberg. They reside in Denver, Colo.

Pets: Goldie – our high profile, tailless cat.

Hobbies and interests: I enjoy cooking, gardening, traveling and reading. Our 100 rose bushes produce hundreds of roses which I give to friends and neighbors. I love Broadway musicals.

WORK

Occupation: I’ve served as director of music at Marshalltown’s First United Methodist Church for 18 years. I am also a worship harpist and blogger.

What that means: At church, I plan the music and direct the 35-member choir. As a harpist, I compose and perform harp music in a myriad of situations. As a blogger, I write about humorous situations that teach me how to grow in my faith. Visit harpandsoulministries.com

If I could change jobs I would be a: I wouldn’t change a thing. I love what I do.

FAVORITES

Book: The Bible continues to fascinate me.

Movie: Recently, I saw “Quartet,” directed by Dustin Hoffman, and felt that I saw a glimpse into my future as a musician in a nursing home.

Food: Bruschetta

COMMUNITY

Best part of living here: Our small, diverse town is just the right size to jump in and help somewhere.

Most influential people: My best friend and husband, John, who constantly encourages me, and Jesus, who is my Lord.

Local involvement: I’m directing “Annie” for the Marshalltown Community Theater. The play has become a round-the-clock summer project as it heads into the opening night of July 26. Other performances are July 27, 28, Aug. 2 and 3, all at the Tye Theater, 709 S. Center St., Marshalltown. Contact 641-752-4164 or marshalltowncommunitytheater.org.

“Annie” is a play suitable for the entire family.

Additionally, I’m on the steering committee of a local organization, 100 Women Who Care. I’ve also led Bible study at church for 21 years, and play the harp at Marshalltown’s Iowa River Hospice. John and I serve on the board of Marshalltown Community Concert Association.

Advice on life: Be thankful.

15 Minutes

DUSTIN KILBRIDE

Resides: Marshalltown

Hometown: Fort Dodge

FAMILY LIFE

Family: My amazing family consists of my mother, Roxanne Kilbride; my father and stepmother Dan and Carol Kilbride; and my brothers/best friends, Derek and David Kilbride.

Hobbies and interests: My greatest love in life has always been music. I began playing the guitar at age 10 and still love it just as much today. I will play any kind of music as long as it has a soul that can be felt and not just heard.

WORK

Occupation: Funeral director at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown.

What that means: My job is to assist families in every aspect of funeral service before, during and after the loss of a loved one.

Tenure: I joined Anderson Funeral Homes May 13. I previously worked for a funeral home in the Quad Cities for eight years.

If I could change jobs I would be a/do: The only other career I could see myself in would be as a professional musician. I have always dreamed of being a recording artist and touring the world.

FAVORITES

Book: The last book I read was the “Wards of Faerie” by my favorite author, Terry Brooks.

Movies: “Star Wars” Episodes IV, V and VI (the original trilogy), created by George Lucas. The “Boondock Saints,” trilogy directed by Troy Duffy, and the “Dark Knight” trilogy, directed by Christopher Nolan. Additionally, “Office Space,” directed by Mike Judge.

Foods: I love a good, grilled steak or some real Memphis-style barbecue.

COMMUNITY

Best part of living here: The people here are amazing. Everyone I have met has been so kind and welcoming.

Most influential people: My parents are my heroes. They have always encouraged me to push as hard and as far as I could and to never settle for less. It was my father who steered me toward a career as a funeral director. He thought I had the right personality and heart. After 10 years, I can say it was the best advice I’ve ever received.

Starting at $4.38/week.

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