Meet Jan Birkhofer

Name: Jan Birkhofer

Age: 59

Livelihood: homemaker and volunteer

City: Albert Lea

For how long: 32 years

Tell us about your family: Dewey and I celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary last month. He is a family practice physician in New Richland. Our daughter Becky is a physical therapist practicing in Coralville, Iowa, and is married to Corey Dieser, who is in physical therapy school at the University of Iowa. Our daughter Jenny is about to begin graduate school at the University of Wisconsin to become a school psychologist. My family have always been supportive of my volunteer work, and have participated in a lot of it as well.

Where do you volunteer and how long have you volunteered there? My current volunteer work is for the Freeborn Mower Chapter of the American Red Cross, where I’ve been active for the past decade. I’ve also enjoying volunteering at St. John’s Lutheran Home for years.

Why do you volunteer? It is a responsibility that I embrace and an honor to be entrusted with serving the community that has been such a good home for my family for so many years. In volunteering for several organizations over the years I have met many outstanding people who have become treasured friends.

What was the last book you read? “No Future Without Forgiveness” by Desmond Tutu.

What are your hobbies? Quilting, stenciling, gardening, card making, baking, reading.

What’s your favorite movie? To name a few: “The Blind Side,” “Absence of Malice,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “The Shawshank Redemption.” I can’t pick just one!