The Citizen-Tribune connected with a handful of local moms for a special Mother’s Day article.

 

The moms include Lynn Dertinger, Linda Brower, Cheryl Reiter and Julie Murphy.

 

Lynn, 48 and her husband Marty have raised two boys (Gabe, 19) and Lucas (16) who have been acknowledged by many as being all-around fine young men. Gabe and Lucas have been top-notch athletes at Becker High School through the years and were instrumental in bringing back-to-back state championships for the Becker football program.

 

For Mother’s Day, Lynn and her family usually do things different from year-to-year. Sometimes they gather for a meal somewhere and sometimes her boys prepare a meal for her or celebrate with other family members with a BBQ.

 

“ One thing that stays the same is the boys pamper mom and make sure she doesn’t have to cook or lift a finger,” Lynn says.  “It’s never about the gifts but time spent together.”

 

Lynn expands on that idea by saying her “mom philosophy” is to be actively engaged in the lives of her children by being present at special events and milestones.

 

“It is important for me to know where they are at, to know their friends and be the house where kids want to hang out,” she says.  “As a mother of two boys, I find myself doing things I am not necessarily comfortable with or good at like being the wide receiver in a family touch football game; being the catcher while my son pitched fast balls; going zip lining even though I have a fear of heights; or being a part of a fantasy football league all because I want to be a part of their lives.”

 

Lynn’s parents live in Becker and says her mom is an amazing woman.  

 

“She always puts others before herself,” says Lynn.  “She is thoughtful, caring and she pours so much love into everything she does.”

 

Sounds  like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in the Dertinger household.

 

Linda and Bill Brower  (married 23 years) are the proud parents of two delightful daughters, Brooke Nicole (19) and Lauren Ashley (18).

 

Brooke was a star gymnast for Becker and Annandale High Schools and Lauren is climbing the ranks in the difficult world of modeling and acting.

 

For Mother’s Day, the Browers will attend church and then spend the day with family having a BBQ or going out to dinner (depending on weather).

 

 

Linda, 45, has a very close relationship with their kids, who she advises to “always try hard and never give up.”

 

There are so many proud moments I have like all their achievements in their sports and academics,” she says. “I am so proud of the amazing young ladies they have grown to be on the inside.”

 

Linda is referring to Brooke and Lauren being thoughtful, caring and giving kids through the years.

 

“They both truly have hearts of gold,” she says.

 

Linda has two brothers who live in Minnesota and one sister who lives in California. Unfortunately for her and her siblings, their parents died when Linda was just 12 years old.

 

Motherhood for Linda came at the age of 26 and ever since little Brooke and Lauren came into her and Bill’s lives in back-to-back years, she has been spending as much quality time with her girls, preparing them for adulthood.

 

“I’ve liked spending quality time with them playing and talking to them as their mother and also as their friend,” Linda says. “I taught them early on to be as independent as they can and to enjoy life. My advice to other mothers is to cherish every day you have with them because they do grow up so fast.”

 

Cheryl, 57 and husband Leroy are the parents fo four children —Tamara (39), Nicholas (36), Colton (19) and Hana (17). They have been married 22 years.

 

The Reiter kids and Leroy will most likely take Cheryl to Red Lobster or a sushi place to celebrate Mother’s Day. As a bonus, the family will most likely take Cheryl’s mom, 79, to her favorite restaurant, Outback Steakhouse to honor her on her special day.

 

Cheryl named her first child from a book, her second because Nicholas was a popular name at the time, Colton from someone they knew at a wedding and Hana because, “it was a great old fashioned name but we wanted to spell it shorter because she has two middle names and we thought this would be easier for her,” Cheryl says.

 

Cheryl says she probably became such a good mom because her own mom was a good mom to her and her brother and sister.

 

“My mom did what she knew best to do,” she says. “She had a good heart and a tough life and I think she did a great job with us!”

 

Cheryl says she considers herself an old-fashioned mom because she’s generally been a stay-at-home mom.

 

“I believe you need to use every bit of your being to protect them and discipline them so they can become a great person in life,” she says. 

 

She feels good she watched her children get birthed and now seeing them grow up and leave the home with confidence. She is proud of her children and is always willing to give new parents good advice.

 

“Remember, there really is not a book out there for you on your child, so when you feel that something is not right — any little inkling — act on it!”

 

Julie and her husband Patrick have been married for 24 years. They have four children — Josh (21), Megan (19), Emily (16) and Halle (15). Julie has living parents who have been married to each other for 65 years.

 

Julie, 48, is the youngest of 10 siblings and her parents split time between their homes in St. Cloud and Mesa, AZ.

 

“My mom is an extremely hard working, patient and genuinely caring person,” says Julie. “She always puts her kids before herself.” 

 

Julie says nothing makes her mom more happy than surrounding herself with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

 

“She loves to attend all the sporting events and other activities as she can,” she says.

 

The Murphys traditionally enjoy a homemade brunch together on Mother’s Day as a family. That afternoon, they’ll get together for a BBQ with Julie’s mom and the rest of her brothers and sisters and  their families celebrate all of the moms. 

 

To any new moms out there looking for advice from a seasoned parent, Julie has some sound counsel.

 

“Don't sweat the small stuff,” she says. “Realize you can't do it all. Always be present in the moment. Know that the thing kids want most is YOU!”

 

Julie says kids require an incredible amount of ones unconditional love, understanding, patience, and praise. 

 

“I have always felt strongly about the importance of family meals together, even if it means eating dinner at 8 p.m,” Julie says. “I also have tried to instill the importance of taking care of your health because without it life becomes much more difficult.” 

 

Julie says she has had many proud moments as a mother especially when a complete stranger came up to her and her family at a restaurant and told them what nice family she has.

 

She also likes to see her kids doing something kind for someone else, witnessing to them and enjoying each others company. 

 

“Hearing them say ‘there's no where else we'd rather be”,” warms her heart. 

 

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms and soon-to-be moms.