Stay Tuned to This Space for Reunion Details!
How to Post Your Reunion Announcement
VIEW ALL REUNIONS

Class News

VIEW ALL CLASS NEWS

Today's Featured Biography

 
Michael Kilanowski

So, what have I been doing for the past 50 years?

After graduation I went to Alexandria Technical for Aviation Electronics, I accomplished getting my FCC 1st class radio operators license but failed to complete the course because of the lack of funds. I then joined the family business of construction.

I married my wonderful wife Theresa in August of 1978; we were blessed with four sons and ten grandchildren to date.

Shortly after getting married, I was seriously injured on the job and it was suggested that I leave the construction trade. Thus, the move to St. Cloud in the spring of 1979 where I began my professional career at first in banking. In 1984 I went back to college, I got my degrees in accounting and computer programming. In 1985 I started at an accounting firm where I was on staff as an accountant and systems analyst maintaining the computer system. It was there that I worked with a fellow graduate from our class, Marilyn Johnson. In 1990 I moved on to a national computer company, I worked there for 10 years traveling the country installing systems at counties and cities nationwide. I also did considerable training of client staff in various software applications. In 2000 I had the opportunity to join the State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation. There I was able to utilize my education to it’s fullest. My job was to train highway accountants at the county level, develop the State Aid Finance website, along with writing and developing computer software applications for the counties to use. In September of 2024 I retired from MnDOT.

I can look back at my career and state that I accomplished most of what I set out to do in my professional life and private life. One major accomplishment for me was public speaking, in high school I received my only “F” from Barney Gruber, for failing to present in front of the class some Shakespear presentation. Over the years I beat my fear of speaking in public, from giving presentations to groups of 2 – 3 people, to presenting to the entire Department of Transportation. I believe Barney would at least give me a passing grade now. I use the age-old adage of “If you can’t dazzle them with your brilliance, you baffle them with bullshit” or something in between.

I never really left construction and woodworking; my wife and I completely gutted our first home and remodeled it. Our second house we finished the basement, added a 14 x 26 family room addition along with a multi-level deck and gazebo. With our current home we finished the basement, did a complete kitchen remodel and built another gazebo and my workshop. In between our home projects I, my wife and sons built for them a couple of workshops, home additions and kitchen remodels. You can find me working on various cabinet and furniture projects in my workshop now that I’m retired.

Another thing I haven’t given up on is roller skating. In my twenties I worked part time at the roller rink as the adult night DJ, there were people in their 60’s, 70’s and even 80’s that I was just amazed with the fact that they continued to skate at that age, well now I’m one of those skaters, My grandkids call me grandpa fancy feet when they are out there with me.

We recently purchased a camper so now we’ll be traveling and seeing the sights also. Other things we do in the spring, summer and fall is walking around the neighborhood, biking and driving around in our 1972 Beetle. Best of all watching grandkids!

That pretty well sums things up for now, I’m as long winded in writing as I am in speaking in front crowds, best wishes to all the class of ’76.

VIEW ALL BIOGRAPHIES

U.S. Armed Forces

Class Poll

Featured Links

Visit Other Classes