Andrea was raised in the South Shore/Twin Brooks area and attended South Dakota State University in Brookings. Upon completing the pre-mortuary program at SDSU she continued her education in Dallas, Texas. Andrea graduated in December of 1998 from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. She returned to South Dakota to complete her apprenticeship, working at Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel. During this time, she continued her education at Northern State University, earning a degree in Business Management. Andrea is active in the Groton community, having served as Past President of the Groton Chamber of Commerce and as a 10 year member of the Groton Kiwanis Club. She is currently serving as Immediate Past President for the South Dakota Funeral Director's Association. Andrea and her husband, Scott, are members of the United Methodist Church and keep busy with a son, Nolan.
