St. Peter Profiles 2013

M A R C H 2 0 1 3

Like a diamond, our community has many facets. This year, we’re featuring a handful of the unique individuals who enhance this community and help i t shine.

Facetshandful of the unique individuals who enhance this community and help i t shine.

profi lesprofi lesprofi lesM A R C H 2 0 1 3

profi lesM A R C H 2 0 1 3 M A R C H 2 0 1 3

profi lesM A R C H 2 0 1 3

Like a diamond, our community has many facets. This year, we’re featuring a profi les

Like a diamond, our community has many facets. This year, we’re featuring a

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Thursday, March 28, 2013 ST. PETER PROFILES PAGE 1

WelcomeInside these 12 pages you will �nd rich, colorful stories of people who represent the faces of our community.�e people featured in this edition come from a variety of backgrounds, professions and walks of life. �ey come from the business community, the world of education, sports and more. All of them play a signi�cant role in making the St. Peter area a great place to live.

�ese stories take you behind the scenes with glimpses of people you may or may not know. Together, the stories of these 6 St. Peter residents let us know them a little better and give us a new appreciation for their role in our community.

�is publication is a product of the St. Peter Herald sta�, following months of photography, interviewing, writing, designing and creative advertising e�orts.

We hope you enjoy Pro�les 2013 for weeks and months to come as we celebrate some of the people who make St. Peter special.

PAGE 2 ST. PETER PROFILES Thursday, March 28, 2013

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Pro�les2013

M A R C H 2 0 1 3

Like a diamond, our community has many facets. This year, we’re featuring a handful of the unique individuals who enhance this community and help i t shine.

Facetshandful of the unique individuals who enhance this community and help i t shine.

profi lesprofi lesprofi lesM A R C H 2 0 1 3

profi lesM A R C H 2 0 1 3 M A R C H 2 0 1 3

profi lesM A R C H 2 0 1 3

Like a diamond, our community has many facets. This year, we’re featuring a profi les

Like a diamond, our community has many facets. This year, we’re featuring a

A special project of the St. Peter Herald

311 S. Minnesota Ave. Saint Peter, Minnesota 56082

www.stpeterherald.com

Publisher/EditorStephanie Hill

Managing EditorSuzanne Rook

Media ConsultantsKathleen Davies

Contributing Writers/PhotographersJessica Bies, James Stitt, Pat Beck

Portraits 2013 is disributed to subscribers and readers of the Waseca County News at no

additional charge.All rights reserved. ©2013

All advertising contained herein is the responsibility of the advertiser.

ContentsTiffany and David Patten: Leading a Future Leader ......3

Dan Chies: Two Halves of a Full Life ................................5

Glen O’Connor: Living His Dream ...................................7

Nate Paschke: Keeping the Classics Alive ........................8

Tanya Butson: Full Contact ...............................................10

Justin Rheaume: Fighting Spirit .......................................11


By JESSICA [email protected]

On four legs and dressed in a blue vest, he’s one of St. Peter’s newest residents.

His name is Madden and he’s a leader dog in training. Part of Leader Dogs for the Blind, Madden is being raised by volunteer puppy raisers Tiffany and David Patten and their son McGuire, St. Peter residents who have chosen to volunteer their home as a home for Madden as he learns basic obedi-

ence house manners and good etiquette in a variety of different environments.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Tiffany Patten said. “ He’s been with us for six months.”

Founded by three Detroit-area Lions Clubs members in 1939, Leader Dogs for the Blind provides guide dogs to people who are blind and visually impaired to enhance their mobility, independence and quality of life.

Leader dogs are raised by volunteer pup-py raisers, without whom the program could not survive. There are nearly 400 puppy rais-

ers in 22 states and Canada but the program itself is based in Rochester Hills, Mich.

The Pattens are what are known as dis-tance raisers. Tiffany Patten said the family heard about the program when they lived in Rochester Hills, but didn’t consider getting involved themselves until just recently.

“It’s just something we never gave a sec-ond thought to at the time,” Tiffany Patten said.

But during a recent visit to Rochester Hills, they saw a sign advertising the need

for puppy raisers and the idea took root. They applied for the program in mid-July and got accepted in August. In October Tif-fany Patten drove to Rochester Hills to pick up Madden and bring him to St. Peter. He was just six weeks old.

“It’s a tangible thing to do,” Tifanny Pat-ten said. “It’s one thing to say we donated money to some type of organization. Raising a puppy is something tangible.”

Ti� any and David Patten and their son McGuire are raising Madden to be a guide dog for the blind. (Jessica Bies/St. Peter Herald)

Leading a future leaderTiff any and David Patt en

See PATTEN on 4


Saint Peter has over 40 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. Quality faculty, specialized programs and a supportive learning environment distinguish Saint Peter Schools. An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, Rock Bend Folk Festival, and the annual Nobel Conference at Gustavus Adolphus College are a handful of events enjoyed in Saint Peter.

COMMUNITY

WORKFORCEOur labor force is one of experience and dependability. Ninety percent of persons age 25 and over are high school graduates, and over 29% hold bachelors degrees. Workers enjoy an average travel time to work of just 15 minutes.

Municipal Building227 South Front Street, Saint Peter, MN 56082

507-934-0661 • Fax: 507-934-4917saintpetermn.gov

Depend on quick, thorough transactions and possible revolving loan when dealing with the City of Saint Peter. Starting, relocating or expanding business will be your focus, not chasing the details.

FOCUS

Businesses benefi t from Saint Peter’s location and proximity to interstate transportation networks, meaning lower costs, short commutes, ease of movement, a network of support services and suppliers.

LOCATION

A range of housing costs is represented in Saint Peter; apartments, townhomes and single family housing are available. Washington Terrace is an affordable housing subdivision which features single family housing. The river bluff provides spectacular homesites nestled in wooded lots.

HOUSING

Ti�any Patten takes Madden to Econofoods to go grocery shopping. Part of his training involves going out in public and learning to avoid distractions. (Jessica Bies/St. Peter Herald)

PattenPuppy raisers are expected not only to teach the

puppies manners, but to expose them to environ-ments such as churches, stores, amusement parks and sports venues. �ey introduce them to di�erent types of people and animals, have them walk across di�erent types of �oors and up di�erent types of stairs and take them near loud sirens and on busy sidewalks.

“I don’t think it’s a horrible time commitment “ Ti�any Patten said. “�ey just fall into your routine. We haven’t really changed what we do, we just take him with us.”

�e Pattens also meet with a “puppy counselor” once a month. �e meetings give them the oppor-tunity to meet other local puppy raisers and go on �eld trips. Recently the group visited the Twin Cities and took the dogs on the Light Rail, exposing them to public transportation.

When Madden returns to the Leader Dog facility, he will begin his formal training and learn how to cross lanes of tra�c and work in a harness. But for now, he gets to focus on simpler things.

“What he’s working on now is sitting before get-ting attention in public,” Ti�any Patten said.

As for going out in public, Ti�any Patten said he has already visited Econofoods, the local movie theater and Walmart. Because Madden is still a ser-vice dog in training, he doesn’t fall under any laws guaranteeing his entry into stores or building, but the Pattens say they’ve never been turned away.

“We’ve never been told ‘no,’” Ti�any Patten said.

“But, you de�nitely get a lot of mixed reactions. You see a lot of funny looks.”

And Madden is quickly becoming accustomed to performing in public.

“We were selective about where we took him at �rst,” David Patten said. “But now we can take him everywhere and be gone for half the day.”

Whether or not Madden gets to be a guide dog is ultimately up to him. Some dogs go through a “career change” before getting assigned to a client and either return to the family that raised them or get placed in another leader dog home.

“�ey don’t force the dog,” Ti�any Patten said. “�e dog basically chooses if they make it through.”

Leader dogs are provided to clients free of charge. �e Pattens said they are hopeful Madden will complete the rest of his training successfully and that they will get to meet whomever he gets paired with.

For now though, they just love having Madden around. He gets along well with their other pets, a dog named Dude and, a cat named Missy and when not wearing his uniform, he’s just a normal puppy.

He loves meeting new people too, though Ti�any Patten has one request for those get the pleasure of running into him around town.

“Please don’t pet him while he’s working,” she said. “It might distract him.”

Reach reporter Jessica Bies at 507-931-8568 or follow her on Twitter.com @sphjessicabies

From Page 3

LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLINDFounded by three Detroit-area Lions Clubs members in 1939, Leader

Dogs for the Blind provides guide dogs to people who are blind and visually impaired to enhance their mobility, independence and quality of life. Each year, over 270 clients attend a 26-day residential training program to be paired with a guide dog. This is a life-changing event that opens the door to independence, safety and self-worth for many of Leader Dogs’ clients.

Find out more: www.leaderdog.org

BECOME A PUPPY RAISERLeader Dog puppies are raised by volunteer puppy raisers. Leader Dogs could not be

provided without the assistance of volunteer puppy raisers.Puppy raisers receive their puppies at 7 to 8 weeks of age and return them to Leader

Dogs for the Blind between 12 and 15 months of age.Puppy raisers teach puppies basic obedience, house manners and good etiquette while

exposing the puppies to all types of environments, such as:• Churches, stores, amusement parks, sporting events• Di�erent types of people• Di�erent types of �oors and stairs• Di�erent sorts of animals, including squirrels, cats, birds, other dogs and farm animals• Loud sirens• Busy sidewalks and bicycles• Some puppy raisers are able to take their puppy to work with themTo �nd out more about becoming a puppy raiser visit www.leaderdog.org or contact the

St. Peter Herald to be put in touch with Ti�any Patten.


By JESSICA [email protected]

Dan Chies eats, sleeps and breathes to be a triathlete.A STEM teacher at St. Peter’s North Interme-

diate, Chies said he teaches by day and trains by night, devoting much of his spare time to run-ning, biking and swimming.

“You’re always thinking about it, planning it, talking about it,” Chies said about training.

He is committed to being a triathlete, but he hasn’t always been one. In fact, it wasn’t until he was in graduate school that he took the leap and decided to make his almost life-long dream of being a triathlete a reality, losing 60 pounds and transforming himself into the certi�ed tri-geek he is today.

And he didn’t stop there.�e 30-year-old teacher recently earned Iron-

man status, competing in Ironman Wisconsin during the summer of 2012, challenging himself by taking on one of the most di�cult Ironman courses in the world.

But he doesn’t like to brag.“You have that kind of bravado when you’re training and then you get

to race day and you realize that’s not what it’s about,” Chies said. “It’s about the journey.”

Chies said getting ready for the race was a two-year process. First he volunteered for the 2011 Ironman Wisconsin, waking up the morn-ing a�er the triatholon and getting in line to reg-ister on-site for the next year’s race.

�en it was time to train.“You really have to commit six to eight

months of daily training,” Chies said.Ironman Wisconsin takes place in and around

Madison. �e swim takes place in Lake Monona in downtown Madison and consists of one 2.4 mile loop.

�e bike course takes riders 16 miles out of Madison before beginning two 40-mile loops in rural Dane County. �ese loops are extremely

hilly and there are several tough climbs. �e total course is 112 miles.Dan Chies �nishes the third stretch of the Iron-man with a scraped knee. (Courtesy of Dan Chies)

Dan Chies teaches North Intermedi-

ate’s new STEM class, devoted to getting students

excited about sci-ence, technology,

engineering and math. Ethan Grant

(right) and Finn Gibson (left) asked for help with their iPad. (Jessica Bies/

St. Peter Herald)

DAN CHIES’ TRIATHLONSDan Chies has participated in at least 17

triathlons including the:• Trinona-Winona• Life Time Fitness Triathlon-Minneapolis• Chisago Lakes Half Marthon• Between the Lakes Triathlon-Albert Lea• Wingman Triathlon-Red WingWant to see Chies in action? This year he

will be competing in St. Peter’s very own Take The Hill Triathlon on May 4!

Dan Chies

Two halves of a full life

See CHIES on 6


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Dan Chies said swimming is his forte and that he completed the Ironman Wisconsin’s swimming course with ease. (Courtesy of Dan Chies)

A�erward, athletes complete two loops through downtown Madison and across the University of Wisconsin campus. �e two loops add up to 26.2 miles.

Chies said he would average three to four miles in the pool, 100-150 miles on the bike and 25-30 miles on foot running each week while training. �e month before the race, beginning to feel burned out, he only worked out 12 times.

“�ere were some low times when I thought, ‘Am I going to be able to do this?’” Chies asked himself.

But, when race day came he was prepared. First up was the swim.

“That was relatively pain-less, because that’s my forte,” Chies said.

�e bike course, one of the most di�cult of the Ironman bike courses, was more di�cult.

“I did crash at mile eight,” Chies said. “I’m barrel rolling across the pavement and my bike is bouncing across the pavement behind me … �ere were about 500 and 1,000 peo-ple watching me. It was in the middle of a town festival.”

Embarrassed and bleeding, Chies needed the help of volunteers to get back up. Standing there in the middle of the crowd he needed to tell himself to get back on the bike and keep going.

“�e crowd just goes wild,” Chies said with a smile. “And that was really, really cool.”

A�er that, he was determined to �nish the race. He completed the bike course and moved on to the marathon. His knee hurting from his crash, Chies said it took a huge mental e�ort not to quit.

“You put yourself in a kind of mental box and ignore those around you that are struggling or doing well,” Chies said.

Because the run course loops around, Chies saw his family and friends o�en during the marathon. He completed the race at 13:51:37.

“�e race itself went better than I hoped,” Chies said.

Chies completed his �rst triathlon, the Winona Trinona in 2009.

“I always thought of doing one,” Chies said.Looking back Chies said his �rst training pro-

gram was very basic, but he still dropped 40 pounds right away. He completed four triathlons the next summer. He went from 225 pounds to 165.

“It really was life changing,” Chies said. “When I think back, I was unhappy at that size.”

Chies said while he was ath-letic in high school, he lacked skill and direction. He has al-ways had athletic friends, but now he says he has more in common with them. With their support, he hopes to keep run-ning triathlons and maybe even run another Ironman in 2014.

“It’s something I’m hoping to stick with,” Chies said. “It’s been a complete life change between losing the weight and starting a career.”

In memory of completing his first triathlon, Chies completes the Trinona every year. In 2011, he completed six more triathlons. In 2012, he complete �ve plus the Ironman. A�er the Ironman, he took three or four months o�, but now he is training again, eager to do more.

“It’s fun to try new places and new races,” Chies said. “I’ve found a lot of purpose in the training and a lot of life direction. It puts a lot of things in perspective.”

Reach reporter Jessica Bies at 507-931-8568 or follow her on Twitter.com @sphjessicabies

ChiesFrom Page 5

IRONMAN WISCONSINMore than 45,000 spectators line the Ironman Wisconsin course as it

winds through Wisconsin farm land and the downtown streets of Madison, Wis.

The swim takes place in Lake Monona in downtown Madison and consists of one 2.4 mile loop.

The bike course takes riders 16 miles out of Madison before beginning two 40-mile loops in rural Dane County.

Afterwards, athletes complete two loops through downtown Madison and across the University of Wisconsin campus. The two loops add up to 26.2 miles.

More about Ironman Wisconsin and information about other Ironman events: www.ironman.com

Chies holds the medal he earned for �nishing the 2012 Ironman Wisconsin. (Courtesy of Dan Chies)


By PAT [email protected]

Glen O’Connor is living out his childhood dreams with his grandchildren in his retire-ment on Scotch Lake outside of Cleveland.

He grew up in Mapleton with a love for goats, horses and the old-fashioned way of doing things.

O’Connor, 64, and his wife, Sandy, have a laptop, a satellite dish and a dishwasher, but they basically live the simple life on their 5 acres.

His love for goats started in the � � h-grade when he visited a friend whose family used to milk goats.

“I used to go to their house often,” O’Connor said. “And from that point on, I decided that someday I’m going to have some goats.

O’Connor even built a double-tree house for them.

“One side is for the goats and the other side the grandkids to play, so they can interact with each other,” O’Connor said. “� ey can feed them over the fence. Goats like to climb. It’s a place for them to play. � ere’s a ramp that goes up to the tree house for the goats.

� e kids have steps and a slide on their side to play with the goats and slide down.”

“My wife tolerates them and me. She doesn’t mind them, but it’s not something she would buy for herself. I’ve always wanted to milk goats, but I never got that past my wife. When they had babies, some of the grandkids milked the mother (about 10 squirts). � ey had a great time.”

O’Connor’s love for horses also began in his a youth. He lived in town, but his family had a horse in a barn they rented on the edge of Mapleton.

Now, O’Connor not only has horses, he has carriages for the horses to pull him and his grandchildren.

“One of my biggest thrills in retire-ment happened to me in Harmony, Minn.,” O’Connor said. “I was looking for a horse to purchase that was trained to ride and drive. We stopped at an Amish farm that was sell-ing goods to tourists. I asked if they had any horses for sale. � ey replied ‘yes’ and hitched one up to one of their carriages. He told me to hop on. A� er a few minutes he handed me the reins and told me to try my hand at driv-ing. And away we went, me driving an Amish buggy with an Amish man sitting beside me.

Doesn’t get any better than that!”“I’ve had a few bad experiences,”

O’Connor said. “� e � rst time I took my wife and grandkids on a drive, and I was trying to turn the horse around, and he backed us into the ditch, and we all had to jump o� , and I had to grab the horse. � at was � ve years ago, the last time my wife went.

“My wife strongly suggested that if I want to drive I better take some driving lessons. So I’m going to. � e last horse I bought was from an Amish man in St. Charles. I’m going back this spring and take my carriage and horse along and drive in the country side with him.”

“My goal in life is to teach in an Amish school,” he said. “It probably will never hap-pen though. � ey’re very leery of English people. I like things done the old way. I like the slow pace of life. � e older I get, the more I like it. � e Amish really intrigue me. I’d love to live with them for a while.”

O’Connor has an old-time school room set up in the basement. “My grandkids and I play school down there.”

Reach Sports Editor Pat Beck at 931-8566, or follow him on Twitter.com @SPHS-portsPat

Glen O’Connor rides a horse cart and holds the reins behind Cladio, a Clydesdale/Pony. (Submitted photo)

LIVING THE COUNTRY LIFEGlen and Sandy O’Connor moved to Cleveland in

1971 when he took his � rst teaching job. He taught social studies for 40 years, served as athletic director for 20 years and coached football, baseball and basketball over the years. They lived in town until 2000 when they moved to the country where he enjoys the peace and quiet of the country.

“There’s not a lot of people around. Since I’ve retired, sometimes I spend a whole week without going to town.”

O’Connor has had many serious health problems including heart surgery 15 years ago for a hole in his heart, plus back and neck surgeries injuries from car accidents and two shoulder surgeries from falls.

Despite the injuries, O’Connor keeps a positive attitude.“One of the best things about retirement is to be able

to spend time with the grandkids. Simple things like sliding down a hill in the wintertime, skating on the lake, looking for frogs and snakes (and scare Grandma with them), taking a stroll down the “Enchanted Forest” (lakeshore full of trees) and watching them chase the goats around the yard (and trying to ride them also!). I am a very lucky person — four kids and their spouses who are all doing well, 13 grandchildren, two horses, goats, one cat and a wife that tolerates me most of the time. Life is good!”

PAGE 7

Glen O’ConnorGlen O’ConnorLiving his dream


By JAMES [email protected]

If you walk down the steps to Nate’s Barber shop, you may think that you have traveled back in time. Opening the door you will be greeted by Nate Paschke, rocking an Elvis-like pompadour, and see things that many people thought were long gone.

“Guys will come in and be surprised that we have [1950’s a� ershave],” said Paschke. “We have all kinds of old-fashioned products.”

Paschke is the owner of Nate’s Barber Shop, located on the corner Minnesota Avenue and Nassau Street. Paschke bought the place in 2007, and has kept the at-mosphere of an old-fashioned barber shop alive and well.

Memorabilia from the early 1900s � lls the barber shop, and pictures of the � ree Stooges, Elvis Presley and the Rat Pack line the wall.

Paschke has been collecting old barber shop antiques, among other things from the 20th century.

“He hired me because he likes old stu� ,” said Don Beeler.

As a kid, Paschke enjoyed clothes and style. He used to admire the clothes, the haircuts, and the shoes of the older generation. In eighth grade, he attended a career day at Gustavus Adolphus College, where he attended a cosmetology class, but he wouldn’t become a barber until later in life.

Before becoming a barber, Paschke ran a business with his wife, moved houses and detailed cars, among

other jobs. In 2004, he went to barber school, and now he owns his own barber shop and is a part of a clothing website that will launch soon.

� e atmosphere in Nate’s Barber Shop is a bit dif-ferent than in other barber shops and salons. As cus-tomers sit in vintage 1920s Koken barber chairs, they are transported back in time. Patrons can receive a hot shave while listening to Frank Sinatra or get a haircut while watching an old black and white movie. Paschke enjoys the old fashioned atmosphere of the increasingly rare barber shop.

“It’s a barber shop — why change something that was so good?” asked Paschke.

Nate Paschke cuts Shad Coyour’s hair. Coyour had to track Paschke down so he could get a proper haircut. (James Stitt/Le Center Leader)

OLDEST BARBER SHOP IN MINNESOTA

Pascke said that the barber shop opened when the bank opened, as the barber shop is located in the basement of the bank. He is in the process of trying to prove that this is the case, as the bank opened in 1883, which means that Nate’s Barber shop maybe the oldest barber shop in Minnesota.

Nate Paschke

Keeping the

Classics Alive

See PASCHKE on 9


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Call us today at 1-877-412-7575 to schedule an appointment.other jobs. In 2004, he went to barber school, and now he owns his own barber shop and is a part of a clothing website that will launch soon.

�e atmosphere in Nate’s Barber Shop is a bit dif-ferent than in other barber shops and salons. As cus-tomers sit in vintage 1920s Koken barber chairs, they are transported back in time. Patrons can receive a hot shave while listening to Frank Sinatra or get a haircut while watching an old black and white movie. Paschke enjoys the old fashioned atmosphere of the increasingly rare barber shop.

“It’s a barber shop — why change something that was so good?” asked Paschke.

Nate’s Barber Shop has all sorts of old-fashioned products and memorabilia. (James Stitt/Le Center Leader)

PaschkeFrom Page 8

Paschke and Beeler agree that people want a di�erent experience when they leave home. Having an old-fashioned barber shop allows older patrons to come in and remi-nisce, and young patrons can learn about the past. �ey say that the atmosphere brought on by all of the memorabilia and nostalgie is refreshing.

“It’s like an air freshener for your eyes,” said Paschke.

Nate’s Barber Shop specializes in old-fashioned hairstyles and practices. Shoe-shining, hot shaves, pompadours and �at tops, Nate’s does it all.

Shad Coyour used to have his hair cut by Pashcke in Mankato, but a�er Paschke le� Mankato for St. Peter, Coyour had to track Paschke down by calling the area barber shops. Coyour gets a �at top haircut, a style that Paschke said needs precision, and Coy-our said that no one else cuts it like Paschke.

Paschke and the other barbers also cre-ate a fun atmosphere that has people come in just to talk. It is the place to come in and hear where the �sh are biting, the newest (or oldest) joke, and some good natured ribbing.

“�ey nailed it,” said Derek �aw III. “I love the atmosphere, its spot on.”

“I’m blushing,” said Pashke with a laugh.“Come on, give us a hug,” joked Beeler.�aw said that Paschke and Beeler used

to come by his work and they seemed like good guys. Once �aw started to come by the barber shop, Beeler said that things changed.

“�ey used to come by the Co-Op and they never gave me trouble,” said �aw.

“Now we’ve been giving him trouble ever since,” laughed Beeler.

Reporter James Stitt can be reached at 931-8572 or follow him on Twitter @LCL_j_stitt.


By JAMES [email protected]

When Tanya Butson went to see a roller derby event for the �rst time, she didn’t know the rules, or the strat-egy, or what was happening. But she did know that she liked what she saw.

“I had no idea what was going on,” said Butson. “But I knew I wanted to do this.”

Butson, of St. Peter, is now a member of the Manka-to Area Derby Girls, a �at track roller derby team. In the roller derby, players on roller skates battle while skating round and round an oval track. �e goal is for the four blockers to prevent the other team’s jammer from skat-ing past them, and allow their jammer to pass everyone.

“It’s a challenge and it’s very physical,” said Butson. “It’s about woman empowerment, we go out there and have fun, it’s not about who is better.”

Butson’s choice of socks was the reason that she was introduced to the sport of roller derby. A mother of a roller derby girl approached Butson because of the socks she was wearing. �e mother went up to Tanya and said that her socks made her look like a derby girl.

“She said ‘You look like a great girl for the derby,’” said Butson. “I gave her a puzzled look and said ‘I’d love to try it.’”

Butson said that when she tried out for the team, she failed miserably, but once she heard about the team in Mankato, she gave it another try.

“Who doesn’t want to skate and get rough?” said Butson.

Butson has enjoyed roller skating since she was a kid, and she loved to go down to Skating World in Mankato. She said it was always a big deal going there to roller skate, and it was a tragedy when they shut the place down.

Her �rst pair of roller skates had white with red wheels, and though she loved to roller skate, she never got into roller blading.

�e commitment of being a roller derby girl extends beyond the twice a week practices and the competi-tions. �e Mankato Area Derby Girls are required to join committees as well as attend meetings. Butson is on the training and volunteer committees. Butson helps organize volunteer opportunities and said that volunteering and giving back has been a great experi-ence for her. Butson also help others as a part of her job at Habilitative Services Inc.

“She has a real kind heart,” said friend Lance Wi-borg. “She would give you the shirt o� of her back.”

Butson has always been active, whether it has been roller skating, going to the gym, or Zumba classes. She

said that before the roller derby became such a big part of her life, she was always outside biking or camping.

“She is very outgoing and has a great attitude for roller derby,” said friend Bob Wright. “I can’t wait to go and see her in the derby.”

Now that her life is consumed by the roller derby, she has little time for other pursuits, but she said that the roller derby is worth it.

“It is all I can think about,” said Butson. “It has taken over a huge part of my life.”

Butson’s derby name is ButsyRoll, which she got from the nickname “Butsy,” a version of her last name. Some people were unable to pronounce her �rst name (Tan-ya) so they started to call her “Butsy.”

Butson said that the roller derby “isn’t all �shnets and skulls,” but a family-oriented event, and the team is a tight-knit community. She said that most of the derby girls are moms, and that the team even has a mother-daughter duo.

Butson said that she is in love with the derby, and it has her feeling younger.

“All of the sweating, and the physical pain doesn’t make me feel my age,” said Butson.

Reporter James Stitt can be reached at 931-8572 or follow him on Twitter @LCL_j_stitt.

Tanya Butson (silver helmet on the left) and the Mankato Area Derby Girls practice at the Mankato YMCA. (James Stitt/Le Center Leader)

Butson, aka “ButsyRoll”

MANKATO AREA DERBY GIRLS SCHEDULE

March 30 vs. Goosetown Roller Girls at Mankato Verizon Wireless Center

April 13 vs. Attackonites in Grand Rapids, Minn.

May 4 vs. Moose Lake Ma�a at Mankato Verizon Wireless Center

June 22 vs. SCAR Dolls in St. Cloud, Minn.

July 20 vs. Cedar Rapids Rollergirls in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

FULL CONTACTTanya Butson


By Pat Beck • [email protected]

One might think that professional �ghting would be tougher than amateur.But for St. Peter native Justin Rheaume, his size

and skills in Mixed Martial Arts lend themselves better to the pro rules.

Since his pro debut in June 2012, Rheaume has a 3-0 record with all the �ghts ending before the �nal bell with a technical knockout, a submission and a technical knockout.

Rheaume’s advantage over his opponents is his height (6 feet 4 inches) and his reach (79 inches). �e extra length gives him more leverage. Most guys in the 185-pound class are 4 to 5 inches shorter.

In Minnesota, amateurs can’t throw knees and elbows. Pros can.“For me, I’m a taller, longer �ghter,” Rheaume said. “I like the

switchover to knees and elbows. It’s the way (coach) Ray (White) has always taught us, so in the amateur level I felt like we were held back because we couldn’t use our knees or elbows. Now it’s transferred over

well for me where I use knees and elbows, and it’s a big weapon for me especially with the reach.”

Rheaume, who had an amateur record of 18-1 in 2009-12, had some �ghts last longer as an amateur, his three �ghts as a pro combined have lasted less than 8 minutes. �at’s a credit to the knees and elbows.

He won his �rst at 185 pounds (middleweight) in a second round TKO in 4:47 with an elbow to the face over Jake Erickson on June 22 at Downtown Showdown 6. �at wouldn’t have been a legal move in amateur.

In his second bout at 205 pounds, Rheaume won on a rear naked choke submission in 2:18 over Curtis Madison on Sept. 22 at Can-terbury Park.

With his knees and elbows, Rheaume quickly won his third �ght at 205 in 32 seconds in a technical knockout over Gary Fritz on Nov. 17 at the Verizon Center in Mankato.

“I have a deadly force,” Rheaume said.Although Rheaume is a professional and earns money �ghting,

so far he has only broken even with the costs of gym fees, licenses, medical tests and equipment. He works at Boomtown Bar in Mankato.

“It gets really expensive to do, but I’m at the point that I have some

good sponsors taking care of me and it makes it easier to keep on progressing in the dream,” Rheaume said.

His dream is to make the sport his livelihood.“I’m on the verge,” Rheaume said. “�at’s why I want to pursue

it. Once you make it on national TV, you make a little more money. I’m looking to be one of the best in Minnesota and get on national television.”

He hopes that that it takes just a couple more �ghts to reach his goal.

“It could be one more �ght,” Rheaume said. “It’s all about timing. �e di�erent promotions. �ey have to see videos and highlights and decide who they want at the time. You just always have to stay focused, keep pushing forward and hopefully all the work will pay o� and you’ll get that call.”

Rheaume, who grew up as a wrestler at St. Peter High School, has steadily improved in mixed martial arts which requires a variety of skills including wrestling, kick boxing, karate and judo.

“I keep on progressing every �ght,” Rheaume said. “You live and

Justin Rheaume shows the thrill of victory over Vyron Phillips

by a unanimous decision in

2012. (TJ DeSantis photo)

Justin Rheaume FIGHTING SPIRIT

See RHEAUME on 12


(Submitted photo)

VITALS: JUSTIN RHEAUMEPro record: 3-0Amateur record: 18-1Amateur titles: 185 and 205 Middleweight for Brutal Genesis Midwest RegionPro ranking: No. 5 at 205 in MinnesotaYears � ghting: 3Age: 28Height: 6-4Weight: 185Born: St. Peter

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learn, make changes and watch videos. I’ve watched each one of my fights 10 to 15 times to see how I react and see how I can change it. It’s a growing process in both aspects physically and mentally. You just try to push yourself to the limit and see how much more you can succeed.”

Wrestling all of his life, Rheau-me is best at that aspect.

“I have pretty good jiu jitsu (grappling),” Rheaume said. “I like to be on the ground. It’s hard-er for people when I get on top. In my weight class, I’m a lot longer and lankier. It’s just submission wrestling.”

Rheaume had a � ght sched-uled for New Year’s against BJ Lacy. But Rheaume fractured his hand in training, so he had to pull out.

He started back training in February with hopes of getting a � ght in the end of April or May.

“Now I feel like the hand’s ready to go and I can get back into the ring,” Rheaume said.

Rheaume has averaged four � ghts a year. He � ghts at 185 and 205, but he said, “185 is where I’m going to be � ghting for the bigger promotions It depends on the contract, the � ght and sitting down with my agent/promoter and seeing what’s best at the time.”

He was rated No. 8 in the state at 185 a� er he won his pro debut. His next two pro � ghts were 205 where he was ranked in the top 10.

In between fights, Rheaume said he usually takes about a week o� and then gets back into train-ing nine weeks for the next � ght.

“You get a little fat for about a week,” Rheaume said.

When Rheaume started train-ing in February, he had to lose 32 pounds to make weight.

“It’s a little more grueling that high school wrestling,” he s a i d . “ I w a s usually about 5 pounds o� .”

Rheaume los-es weight by eat-ing chicken and vegetables and a lot of water. “You still need your proteins and vi-tamins. � e last three fights, I switched over to a product called Herbal Life. It’s made my body feel so much better if it’s pre-workouts, post workouts, meal replacements, protein bars. I feel way health-ier and easier to keep on working out.”

R h e a u m e works out four

or � ve hours a day at the MSU/MMA Club in Mankato.

“When we’re going hard, I do about two hours boxing and two hours of rolling (jujitsu) a day and cardio,” Rheaume said. “Some of us do a little extra a� er that.”

About 35 who have fought or will start � ghting work out in the

club at Minne-sota State Uni-versity, Mankato. � ree are ranked in the top 10 in their weight classes, so it pro-vides good com-petition.

“We’ve got a lot of good � ght-ers now, espe-cially guys who are ranked at the top of their weight classes,” Rheaume said. “We’ve got good training partners and good coach-es. Head coach Ray White took over at train-ing and it’s been very, very good. He does classes on Tuesday and Thursday and a Sunday practice at MSU.

“It can get g r u e l i ng and

overwhelming,” Rheaume said. “Sometimes you just want to stop and don’t do anything for a few months, too.”

Rheaume enjoys the camara-derie.

“� ere’s no team competition, but there is a team,” Rheaume said. “It’s like a family. We’re all together. We all push each other. We all go to each others’ � ghts.”

Rheaume never went on to col-legiate wrestling, and he missed the competitiveness, so he got into mixed martial arts. And it’s made him a stronger person in life.

“It calms me down and makes me think more, even when things are going bad,” Rheaume said. “I’ve learned so much discipline. It doesn’t matter if I’m getting beat for the � rst seven to eight min-utes. You have two guys outside the cage who are in you corner, keeping you calm and looking out for the best for you to motivate you and to change up. It’s made me a better person all around and better disciplined in life and in the cage. I like every aspect that I’ve learned.

� e training is the hard part, not the � ghting.

“As the coach and other trainers keep telling me, you go through the practices and some-times you want to throw up or quit. With mitts and pads on as you drop your hands, they’ll hit you in the face and tell you to keep on going,” Rheaume said. “And

you thank them afterward and you realize that’s the hardest part.

“Once you get in the cage, all your hard work already put in, that’s the time to shine. It took more e� ort to put everything in

the last nine weeks. It’s the re-ward.”

Reach Sports Editor Pat Beck at 931-8566, or follow him on Twitter.com @SPHSportsPat

From Page 11

Rheaume

Justin Rheaume gets his kicks against Vyron Phillips (TJ DeSantis photo)

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Nicollet County Bank Employees Give Back to their Community!

The Nicollet County Bank encourages its offi cers and employees to participate in community functions. During the year of 2012, the offi cers and employees have been involved with the following boards, committees, clubs and organizations.

Member of St. Peter Lions ClubMember of St. Peter American Legion ClubMember of Masonic LodgeMember of Osman ShrineMember of VFW Post 1220Member of Linneaus Arboretum GACMember of Masonic Lodge #54Director of Shoreland Country ClubMember of St. Peter AmbassadorsMember of Rotary ClubTreasurer of Greenlawn CemeterySt. Peter Lions Club Board Member St. Peter Area Hospice Committee Member St. Peter Regional Treatment Center (SPRTC) Volunteer Council Secretary & Gluek Memorial Park Admin. Board Member Member of St. Peter Retail Promotions Committee Member of Gustavus Library AssociatesMember of St. Peter Chamber Public Affairs Committee Member of Shoreland Country ClubBoard Member of St. Peter Basketball Booster Club/TreasurerVolunteer SPHS Basketball StatisticianTreasurer of SPHS Golf BoosterTreasurer/Member of the Echos Big BandMember of St. Peter Rotary Club

Member of Nicollet County Farm BureauMember of Nicollet County Soybean Growers Assn.Member Nicollet County Corn Growers AssociationNicollet County Planning & Zoning Advisory CommitteeNicollet County 4H Adult VolunteerDirector and Treasurer of Kiwanis Club of St. PeterDirector and Treasurer of St. Peter Sons of the American LegionTreasurer of St. Peter School BoardMember of Lake Washington ClubMember of St. Peter Chamber of CommercePresident of Nicollet County Holstein AssociationMember of RIM (Nicollet County) Advisory Committee for NRCSMember of Nicollet County Farm BureauChairman of U of M Southern Research & Outreach Center Advisory Committee Member of MN Holstein AssociationMember of St. Peter Chamber Public Affairs CommitteeMember of St. Peter Chamber Business/Education CommitteeVice Chairman Member of South Central Technical College Farm Business Management Advisory CommitteeMember of Sioux Trails Mental Health Service Advisory Committee

Member of South Central College Center of Agriculture Advisory CommitteeMember of H.S. Agri-Science Advisory CommitteeMember of St. Peter High School Co-Curricula CommitteeMember of St. Peter Economic Development AgencyBoard Member St. Peter Chamber-2nd Vice ChairRegion 9 Development Loan Committee Board MemberTroop 58 Boy Scouts Committee MemberMember of St. Peter Catholic WomenMember of MN Emergency Medical Services Assn.Volunteer Religion Education teacher-Church of St. Peter Licensed foster care provider thru Lutheran Social ServicesMember of Nicollet County Farm Bureau Member of Norseland Lutheran Church Ladies AidMember of St. Peter's Catholic Church WomenMember of Nicollet County Corn & Soybean GrowersMember of Nicollet County Pork ProducersAlter Care & Funeral Committee of Trinity Lutheran ChurchSt. Peter High School Gymnastics Concession CoordinatorSalvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringer since 2011First Choice Pregnancy Center VolunteerMember of St. Peter Catholic DaughtersMember of Heavenly HattersMember of Ewenique Quilters

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St. Peter Profiles 2013