JENI BECKEL LINDBERG, Chair (Class of 1973) – I have lived my entire life in Austin except for 6 years in Fremont, NE. My grandmothers, as well as my parents and their siblings and my siblings, are all AHS graduates. I am very proud to be a Packer. I retired from the high school in 2015 and used every opportunity to give the students a quick history lesson about the building. My husband, Brad, retired from Hormel in 2015, and we have 2 grown sons, Scott and Michael. We have three grandsons and a granddaughter in Grants Pass, OR.
DAVID SIMONSON, Vice Chair & Treasurer (Class of 1970) – I was born and raised in Austin. I graduated from the University of Minnesota and played five years of football in the NFL before returning to Austin in 1979. I worked for 27 years on the Austin Police Department before retiring. My wife, Connie, taught in the Austin Public Schools for 32 years. Our three children also graduated from Austin High School and all three are now public school teachers. I enjoyed working on the Austin School Board for 19 years and take great pride in our Austin schools.
MATT BARTHOLOMEW (Class of 2006) – During my senior year, I was a cross country captain and the Big 9 Conference champion in the 400-meter dash. My 20+ year passion of snowboarding and the mountains drew me to attending college and running track at Western State University in Colorado. After some years working in the Business & Marketing Department for the United States Postal Service, I made the move to real estate, quickly becoming one of the top producers in Minnesota and is the founder of Nord/Haus Real Estate Group, a boutique real estate brokerage. I am also the Co-Founder of a Veteran-Owned mortgage brokerage, Rise Home Loans. Both Nord/Haus and Rise are located in Downtown Austin. They are client and community focused companies, supporting many of Austin’s philanthropic endeavors like Pay-It Forward, Plunging for Pink, Packer Pantry, along with education and sporting programs within the Austin Public School system. My greatest joy is raising my two daughters with my wife Carley while restoring and living in one of Austin’s historic MCM homes.
MARIE ANHORN CANO (Class of 1960) – I have great memories of classes, school activities, attending athletic events and, of course, classmates. After attending the U of M – majoring in Spanish, I left for Mexico and spent over twenty years in Mexico D.F. and Saltillo, Coahuila with my husband and three children. I returned to Austin in the 80’s and our children Jeff, Andrea and Matt all graduated from AHS. Additionally, I had the honor of teaching Spanish at AHS and RCC. I retired from teaching in 2008. I am looking forward to working with the Alumni Association to help keep our alumni connected.
EDWINA ERSLAND HARDER (Class of 1983) – My husband, Eric, and I graduated from Austin High School in 1983. I have such great memories of Austin High—sporting events, band/orchestra, Austinian. . . Being a part of the Alumni and Friends organization helps preserve AHS’ rich history. I’m proud to be a Packer!
JEFF HOVLAND (Class of 1989) – I was a member of the AHS Concert Choir and Austinaires, a 3-year letter winner in football and 2-Year in baseball and basketball. I graduated from Hamline University ’92 with a degree in Business Management. I managed the Sports Restaurant in Austin, then Chester’s Kitchen and Bar and Chuck E Cheese. I was most recently with Astrup Companies. Coached in the Austin Packers Girls Basketball program for 22 years with 4 State Tournament Appearances and3 Big Nine Titles. I live in Austin and have a son Teyghan, Class 2021.
CECE STRATTON KROC (Class of 1977) – I have been married for 40 years to fellow 1977 grad Joe Kroc. We have three children: Lindsey and husband Jason Campbell (Class of 1999), Erin (Class of 2000), and Joe and wife Sarah Ewing (Class of 2004 and 2009). We’ve also been blessed with five beautiful and rambunctious grandsons! I was employed for 24 years with the Austin Public Schools as a teacher and then instructional coach, while husband Joe was the supervisor of the Electric Department supervisor at the Austin Utilities. Both of us were born and raised in Austin and are proud of the education that our family has enjoyed here. So happy to be a part of this committee that continues to support the students of the Austin Public Schools!
TIM RUZEK (Class of 1999) – I was involved in basketball and football in high school before focusing my senior year on being an editor for The Sentinel. I worked for 7 years as a news reporter at the Post-Bulletin newspaper. For the past decade, I have been a water plan and outreach coordinator for the Cedar River Watershed District and Mower Soil & Water Conservation District. As of November 2025, I also have served as the executive director of the Austin Public Education Foundation. I enjoy local history and have researched and written about the opening of Austin High’s 1921 section (the north end). My wife, Heather, is a teacher for Austin Public Schools. We have two daughters, Aubrey and Estelle, attending Austin Public Schools.
KATIE NELSON ULWELLING (Class of 1969) – I graduated from Austin High School in 1969 and then attended Austin Community College (now Riverland). After receiving my teaching certificate from the University of Minnesota in 1974, I returned home where I served as Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for Austin Public Schools until my retirement in 2013. My three children benefitted from the wonderful learning opportunities provided by our district, and I currently have two beautiful granddaughters who attend school here. As a member of the Austin Alumni Association, I continue to promote activities which help support quality educational programs for students of all ages.
MIKE RUZEK, Emeritus (Class of 1964)– We have the same mission as the first AHS Alumni Association that started in 1894. That is, in practical terms, to make connections-alumni connecting with other alumni, the current students and the Austin community. This has resulted in the recall of good memories, the inspiration of successful alumni and opportunities to give back. I’ve really enjoyed the 18 years of being a part of this association, and I am satisfied that we continue to make a positive difference in the lives of people who associated with Austin High School.
APE Foundation - AHS Alumni 