Susan Hillesheim, 2008

2008 Brown County Dairy Princess Susan Hillesheim enjoyed working with children as a princess, especially on farm tours.

Susan, pictured with fellow Dairy Ambassadors at a farm tour for preschool children.

2008 Brown County Dairy Princesses: Rebecca Sellner, Susan Hillesheim, Valerie Mohr, and Melissa Lax.

Susan Hillesheim, 2008

Parents: Jim and Cindy Hillesheim, Springfield
Currently:  Rochester, MN
Susan’s favorite memory was “going on the farm visits with pre-schoolers. For many of them, it was the first time being on a farm and up close to cows and calves. It’s where we had the chance to first get them excited about cows and the dairy industry. It was also fun to see them touch their first cow and feed their first calf.” Susan is in the nursing program in Rochester, currently between her 2nd and 3rd semester. She still comes home for some weekends and winter and summer breaks. Susan works at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Springfield as a CNA when she’s available and also enjoy babysitting and helping on the family farm in her free time. To current princesses, Susan says, “Even though the dairy industry is struggling in the economy currently, stay positive and keep promoting our pure, wholesome product with pride. Show consumers we treat our animals with respect, like one of the family, despite what critics show the few, extreme situations are like. Most of all have fun and make the most of every encounter you have with consumers and fellow promoters!” When asked how she continues to promote the dairy industry, Susan shares, “Being around college students, I see many people who don’t get their 3-A-Day or would rather just take a calcium supplement. I try to convince them how important the true product is for their health and that it’s recommended they have 3 servings/day. I set an example by consuming dairy products myself. I also support the dairy industry in times of dispute over what some people see on TV or the internet. I explain to them that what they see on TV or the internet is not what is happening on every dairy farm. Critics seem to find one extreme place far and few between and blow it up into a huge story. “

Corinna Moldan Erickson, 1989

Pictures here feature area parades and the Brown County Holstein Association Twilight Meeting.

Corinna Moldan Erickson, 1989

Parents: Mike & Joyce Moldan, Comfrey
Currently: Springfield, MN 56087
Corinna was also a Regional Attendant in addition to Brown County Dairy Princess. Corinna enjoyed participating in community events and outreach projects such as the Brown County Holstein Association Twilight Meeting and the Brown County Fair. Corinna is married to Tom Erickson, they have 2 children: Dominic, age 10 and Ana age 6. Corinna enjoys her work as a Special Education teacher at Wabasso Public School, Wabasso, MN. Corinna simply says to current princesses, “Enjoy the opportunity!” and to continue her support of the dairy industry, Corinna makes sure to buy only “Real” Dairy products for her family!

Connie Mickelson Vogel, 1987

Connie Mickelson Vogel, 1987

Parents: Jim & Elaine Mickelson, Leavenworth
Currently: Comfrey, MN 56019
Connie remembers fondly promoting the dairy industry at parades; serving products at community events; and going to schools to speak about dairying. Connie is married to Dan Vogel. They have 3 children: Mariah, 16; Tyler, 13; and Tanner 10. Connie is employed by St. Raphael Church and School as an office manager in Springfield, her husband Dan is a farmer. To current princesses, Connie advises: “Enjoy this time of your life. I have so many wonderful memories being raised on a dairy farm. As a family, we all worked very hard together but still made time to play. The time spent doing chores, feeding the baby calves and milking the cows allowed me to spend a lot of time with my parents, my brother and my sisters. We all had a role to play on the farm. Today I continue to live on a farm and I couldn’t ask for a better way to raise my children!” Connie brags that she always buys “Real” dairy products for her family and not imitation. The only fun fact that Connie would share, is that she was scared to death whenever the farm bull got out of the pen.

Michele Weilage Ahlness, 1984

Michelle, as Brown County Dairy Princess in 1984 enjoyed many events during her reign.

Michele Weilage Ahlness, 1984

Parents: Richard & Lynda Weilage & G.G. Rothmeier, Sleepy Eye
Currently: Springfield, MN
Michelle enjoyed working at the Brown County Fair. Handing ribbons out and watching how hard the 4-Hers worked with their animals were some of her fondest memories. Michelle showed for about 5 years, so she knew first hard how hard they had worked. She also enjoyed handing out milk samples at Randall’s. Michelle is married for 1.5 years to Bruce Ahlness, who also grew up on a dairy farm in rural Springfield. Michelle also has 2 sons, Cory, age 19 and Collin age 14. Michelle works full time as a hair stylist and part time at South Point Federal Credit Union. To current princesses, Michele says, “Have lots of FUN!” Michelle continues to promote the dairy industry by drinking milk and buying “Real” butter! Michelle also shares a good story, “When we were going to Watermelon Days, our car overheated. Fred Braulick was driving for us that time and he was VERY cool about it. It was always fun working with Kathy and Fred Braulick!”

Mary Beth Weber Schmit, 1979

Mary Beth Weber Schmit, 1979Parents: William & Evelyn Weber, Springfield, MN
Currently: Randolph WI 53965
Mary Beth enjoyed serving ice cream at the F & M Bank in Springfield. “It was a great place to meet folks from around the community and thank them for supporting the dairy industry.” Mary Beth also has fond memories of parades as well. Currently Mary Beth is married to Curt Schmit, residing in Wisconsin for the past 20 years. She lives in a rural area, much like home, with several dairy farms as neighbors, but not as many as when they first moved. She raised 4 children: Travis, Patric, Tiffany, & Paula in their small community, perfect because of the well-connected school, home, and community, as well as the convenience of living only 30 minutes from Madison (filled with culture & diversity). Mary Beth works for a stainless fabrication company: Apache Stainless Equipment Corporation, as the Purchasing Manager for the past 14 years. She loves the people she works with and the work that she does. Some projects that her company works on are dairy related, but most are for heat processing and other industries that require stainless vessels. “It’s amazing how farming continues to be the center of my life”, says Mary Beth. Mary Beth’s parents are still living on the farm they were married on June 17, 1946 and raised 10 children on. For most of those years they also milked cows. “It was a great place to grow up and I appreciate the life lessons that dairy farming gives to anyone in the industry.” To other princesses, Mary Beth advises, “Enjoy the fun that you will have and thank the individuals that have given you this opportunity. Dairy farms are a great place to grow up!” Mary Beth continues the promotion of dairy products as a life long fan of cows. Mary Beth reflects, “Often I am asked how I know so much about mechanics and I say with a smile, I grew up on a dairy farm. You had to know how things worked to keep things running everyday!” Mary Beth is also a life long lover of MILK!