I was born and raised in the Thornton area. I was from a family of seven children. We grew up on a small farm where my dad farmed and we lived by my grandpa and grandma and my grandma Effie always had a love for flowers. I was in 4-H and learned a lot about flowers, sewing, and had livestock for projects and also home furnishing. I attended and graduated from Meservey-Thornton School and then was married and moved to the farm where we still live for 46 years. I am a member of the First Reformed Church in Meservey. Paul, my husband, and I have three grown children, seven grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren.      I love growing flowers in our yard and even using some in my shop. I just completed my 25th year of volunteering at Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa. Member on the Board of Education for West Fork Schools, Sunday School, and Bible School teacher, one of the chairpersons of Thornton's 125th celebration, former Booster Club officer of Meservey-Thornton Lancers. I love decorating each week at the First Reformed Church in Meservey and also the First Security Bank. Love to attend sporting events of our grandchildren and our local school. I enjoy being around young kids and love to watch them participate in school events.

                                                                                                                                                            -Mary Schlichting