Cressy was born in the mid-1950s to Richard, a manufacturer’s salesman, and Mary, who at the time managed a day care. Cressy was the third child out of what would become a total of eleven children. Cressy was born in a quiet neighborhood in Duluth but moved with her family to Bloomington, a suburb of Minneapolis, when she was just five years old. A short time later, Cressy and her family moved to their home in St. Paul, where they still live today.
Along with her numerous siblings, Cressy attended a small private, Catholic elementary school during childhood. After graduating from eighth grade, Cressy moved onto an all-girls Catholic high school where she began her first part time jobs to help pay for her schooling. As a young teenager, Cressy enjoyed many outdoor activities, such as hiking and cross country skiing. Cressy then attended the University of Minnesota, where she rushed her sister’s sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi, in her first semester. During her college years, Cressy decided that a major in forestry best suited her love for the outdoors and nature. Graduating with this degree, Cressy received a job offer for a national park in Alaska. There she found herself to be the only female forester on an all-male crew.
Soon, however, life called Cressy home to be with her family. There, a unique opportunity presented itself and she took full advantage of it, deciding to join a traveling Christian theatre troupe. Visiting churches, schools, army bases, community centers, and even prisons, Cressy and the troupe delivered plays with messages. After a year and a half, Cressy once again returned home to further her education and received a degree in teaching. Cressy taught in Minnesota for a number of years before moving to Colorado to teach and then to Poland to teach English as a second language.
Today, Cressy teaches English to newly arrived immigrants from around the world who make their home in Minnesota. She still avidly enjoys skiing, hiking, camping, and canoeing. Cressy has gained a unique experience and continues to be open-minded to all life has to offer.
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Group Members Molly Hoff, Sara Pioske, Brianna Whisney, Kari Zinniel
