Paynesville Historical Society Board of Directors

Reed Ringstad has been on the Paynesville Historical Board for three years and is currently the President. He has always enjoyed history and more so, Paynesville’s. His grandfather was the depot agent for the Great Northern Railway in Northtown and remembers coming up to visit and bringing his metal lunch box to work with him for the day. It was fun for him to check on everything. Ringstad moved to town in the 1960s and has been in Paynesville ever since. He remembers a lot of the town, people and businesses that were here and enjoys talking to people about it. He believes it is important to remember how and what people had to go through to make what we have now. That is why it is important to preserve it for future generations.

Linda Lorentzen has been on the Paynesville Historical Society Board for 2 years. Her lifelong interest in Paynesville history led her to volunteer at the museum after she and her husband retired to their summer home on Lake Koronis. She wrote a weekly, summer column, "A View From the Lake," for the Paynesville Press from 1990 to 2002; many of the columns featured historical events and places around Lake Koronis and Paynesville. She believes that everyone has an important story to tell and the more that we can capture the stories, the better for future generations seeking to learn from the past. Her work in non-profits led her to develop a love for finding funding for important, unfunded projects. 

Jean Soine has lived in Paynesville 54 years and has been on the Historical Society Board for nine years and the Paynesville City Council for 25 years. She has always been involved in various organizations in Paynesville over the years. Also, she owned a business in downtown Paynesville for 25 years. Soine was asked to be on the board to fill a term, then found she had a great interest in history; it seemed to be a good fit and she is happy to assist where needed.

Gretchen O'Fallon is a Paynesville Lifer, has been part of the Paynesville Historical Society for the past eight years, being on the board for six years. She had just finished serving on the Paynesville Area School Board for over 13 years and believes that everyone should share their time/talents where they can. She is interested in "old things" and enjoys repurposing items. She has an Associate Degree in Interior Design and recently retired from her Freelance Interior Design career. She is a doer and enjoys helping to make the museum visually a fun place to visit and learn.  

Steve Brown is new to the board, is a lifelong Paynesville Township resident living on a piece of the family farm homesteaded by his great grandfather, Frank Brown. He attended the Brown Country School, now located on the museum grounds. His maternal grandfather, Horace Sheldon, was township clerk for almost 50 years. Brown has always been interested in local history and enjoyed hearing stories told by his parents and grandparents about the way things were when they were growing up. Now that he is a grandfather, he enjoys passing some of that information along. He hopes to be able to add some to the Historical Society. He is a retired electrician but feels he is an old farmer at heart.

Sara Turrell joined the PHS Board in 2023. Sara recently moved back to her family home on Lake Koronis after living elsewhere for 30 years. Now retired, she is super interested in maintaining and improving the museum for all to enjoy. She is also dedicated to expanding outreach and education opportunities to bring the history of the Paynesville area to the community. Her interest in history, professional career in engineering, and experience on the boards of various nonprofit organizations, give valuable tools to contribute to the ongoing success of the PHS.

Steve Peterson joined the PHS Board in 2017.  He was born & raised in Paynesville, lived in the Twin Cities for 40+ years before moving back to Paynesville after retirement.  Paynesville is his home at heart and as he grows older Steve has a greater appreciation for preserving Paynesville’s history.  PHS is one of Minnesota's best small town historical societies.  He believes we need to better promote PHS by actively engaging community members of all ages.