Nancy Amundson uses her sewing skills to make items to donate to Safe Haven.
Amundson was born in Racine and graduated from Horlick High School. She earned a degree and worked as a dental assistant, then went into bank operations in Racine and Eau Claire. She was employed by Midwest Dental in Mondovi, followed by Mayline Company in Sheboygan.
Amundson came to Shawano when her husband of 23 years, Archie, took a job here. On Jan. 3 she retired from her job at Shawano Medical Center in Medicare billing because of her husband’s health. He has been retired for several years and spends his time making furniture at their home in the town of Wescott.
She has a son and grandson.
Amundson knits and crochets and used to quilt. She has a bag of knitted caps she is going to donate to Safe Haven. She makes Tooth Fairy bags that she sells at The Consign Shop and uses those funds to buy more material.
Q Where do you volunteer?
A “I volunteer at Safe Haven. I haven’t volunteered there too long. I decided to retire a year early because of my husband’s health. He has always said I couldn’t retire until I get a hobby. I like to sew and he made me a sewing room. When I was in high school I made all my clothes. I haven’t sewed in 18 years, but how many clothes do you need when you’re retired? I had a meeting at Safe Haven and they said they needed potholders.”
Q What do you do?
A “My goal is that every child that leaves will have their own special pillowcases and mom will have potholders. Archie’s sister makes pillowcases for a hospital in Reedsburg. I brought the idea to Safe Haven. I do whatever little projects of sewing they need me to do. The biggest surprise to me is the price of material. I’m a quilter so I have scads of stash but not too much for children. I look for material at rummage sales and half-off fabric sales. My friends have given me some material. I have the ability to produce, but I don’t have all the funds. If anybody knows of a rummage sale with fabric or someone who has a stash for children, I’d certainly put it to good use. Archie built all the furniture in my sewing room, a cutting table, computer center and desk, drawers and sewing center.”
Q Why do you enjoy sewing?
A “It’s a sense of accomplishment when you put something together to say wow that went together really well. It’s a small form of quilting.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “I want to give back. We’ve lived here almost 20 years. This community has been good to us.”
To help with material, call Amundson at 715-526-9625.
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