Kathy Ellis Penkert

I continue to consult and privatize government child welfare, Medicaid and Behavioral Health contracts for various organizations around the US. The work has been so demanding that we even moved to Florida (Fort Myers) from 2003 to 07 since I was flying to that state ever other week from Iowa. Actually I retired from the corporate world of United Healthcare in 2000 and we bought, renovated a old resort on East Lake Okoboji and ran it as a B and B until 2006. Then we sold part of the business but still have a home on the lake. Most of the time we live in Council Bluffs. However with the flexibility of my business Dan and I have been able to explore the world outside of Iowa and, travel many times to Europe (Norway, France,Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Czech Republic, Italy, Ireland, UK, etc.), Russia, and to Egypt, Morocco, Peru, Cuba, Panama Canal, etc.. We are planning a trip to Croatia, Bosnia, Germany and Austria later this year. Recently I have started a publishing company called Okoboji Press and we have one book on the market. I really don't have any plans for retirement as my business allows me to schedule my time so that I can do what I want. In addition to the work I spend allot of time fund raising for the Midlands Humane Society and Cancer Support Center in Council Bluffs. Dan and I continue to support the Ellis Family Music fund at SHS Foundation, and have been able to award scholarships for the past 10 years.

In addition to my current business I have been blessed with a diverse career teaching at Indiana State University, Luther College, starting a Chemical Dependency program for a major hospital system in Omaha, ran a residential treatment center for emotional disturbed children, worked as a Child Abuse Investigator, ran an outpatient Mental Health Clinic and worked in a variety of national corporate positions for United Healthcare in Minneapolis from 1988 to 2000.

Left SHS in May of 1965 and four days later was attending the Presbyterian School of X-ray Technology in Denver. Well that was interesting until we had to learn to do lower GI's and I determined that was not for me! So I returned to the Midwest to attend Mankato State College graduating in 1969 with a degree in Sociology. I worked for a couple of years and was awarded a full-ride stipend to attend the University of Nebraska graduating in 1973 with an MSW in Administration and Community Organization.

I really don't have a favorite school story as I have to admit life for me has been so full and in a lot of ways better since high school. Those really were not my halcyon days!