She was born in a remote part of Alaska and spent most of her life in that state. She is a graduate of Minnesota State University at Moorhead and the University of North Dakota School of Law. Throughout her life she was aware of leanings deep into the spiritual side of life, but the demands of raising a family and working within a very materially-based profession tempered her ability to indulge those interests. With retirement, as she worked through and released many issues of her lifetime, a space opened up for new experiences to enter--so unexpected but magical.