I feel blessed to have lived in this community my entire life. I grew up in North Prairie, am a proud 1983 graduate of Mukwonago High School, married in 1986 and have lived in Mukwonago since 1985.
I am an Ultrasound Technologist by trade. I started my career at Waukesha Memorial Hospital and then started the Ultrasound Department at Moreland Medical Center.
During these years, my husband and I raised four beautiful and successful children. I consider this our greatest accomplishment. I spent many years, immersing in the school district and the community as a proud parent and cheerleader for my children’s many sports and other activities.
Faith and family are important. I am a Christian and member of St. James Catholic Parish. With the tap on the shoulder from our dear Lord and working hand and hand with friends from the parish, I was blessed to have been able to become the Founder and Executive Director of Life’s Connection, which has two beautiful locations, one in the heart of downtown Waukesha and the other right here in Mukwonago.
Mukwonago is a community that wraps its arms around those who need help, support and love. Life’s Connection is that big beacon of hope (now located proudly in the past Miller Pharmacy) that supports, educates, and builds strong families.
I thank this community and I am so proud of that.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I married John Crawley in 1986. He asked me to marry him right at the old “Vista Gardens” which is the current Fork in the Road. That was the hang out for the young and old back in the day. We like to travel (and tend to do a lot of it), camp and spend time with family. We have one daughter, Kayla who is married to Michael Kopp. They are a beautiful faith-filled and hardworking couple. They have two beautiful children, three year old Lyla Krystine and one year old Tucker John. And yes they are as cute as their names. My son Ryan is a golf pro and married to Rebecca Crawley. They currently live in Arkansas as his big career led him in that direction. We are blessed to have a beautiful granddaughter Madelyn Rose, by them and love to watch her grow. She has been a miracle in our lives. Daniel is our third born son who is married to Jacque Crawley (Beine). They are high school sweethearts and married the second he finished college. He works as therapist and loves his career. Jacque has been with us for so many years so we were able to celebrate all her sports and accomplishments right along with our kids. Jacob is our baby. He doesn’t even care that I say that so that says a lot about this young man. Jake is our social guy, finished high school, college and found a beautiful career as a project manager and estimator. He blessed us with a DOG! That is one thing I didn’t want but this guy is a keeper. Jake is purchasing a lot right in the town so we are looking forward to helping him build a home one day not far down the road.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I LOVE MY CAREER! As I stated earlier, Life’s Connection is the beacon of hope for thousands of families. Here, I am able to help families who are in crisis for any reason, teach new parents how to raise strong children and also walk pregnancy journeys with families in our community. Every little baby is a gift. I feel honored to share the joys and even the sorrows of those who are expecting babies. Sometimes pregnancies end in loss and families need support as they navigate through this. Having had three pregnancy losses, I know the pain of loss so here we help other women and their families as they face a miscarriage or stillbirth. Helping families through parenting and adoption is so important as we all need a little help and someone to lean on occasionally. I also help hundreds of first-time parents because our childbirth and parenting classes are professional, and hospital based! My favorite part of this job is watching the moms and dads we cared for, loved and educated become the best parents, local business owners, home purchasers and beautiful families. We are strengthening our community in doing so and it is nice to be an integral part of the place to come to for support, material help and a listening ear.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Fork in the Road, Sol de Mexico
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Over 55 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Coach Cottrell
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Greece and Rome – I want to see Vatican City and enjoy the Greek beaches
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Yup! I am on The Notebook bandwagon.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Do one nice thing for one person every single day. It will change your life.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Still seeing Rome.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Kid Rock
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Jeff’s Rootbeer Stand, hands down! Former business
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Mark Wahlberg at Fork in the Road. He overcame a rough patch in his life, became successful, holds strong values and believes in building strong families in a most basic way.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
This community loves faith, family and freedom!
Q: What have you done to make Mukwonago a better place?
I hope that through starting Life’s Connection to give families a place to turn during their joys and struggles , we continue to help families in need and continue to build a strong and loving community. I also believe that by all of us reaching out to help and support one another in this way we can be proud as we build up our community.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Right Here
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have a new lease on life, new views and a strong appreciation for everyone, everything, and every moment after some struggles the past year.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Costa Rica
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
July, Easter, and the best day is August 15th.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Vacation time!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family, my co-workers and friends
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Lavendar and lasagna
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Mukwonago, Community and Love
