Marilyn and Mark Roche are standout citizens of Albert Lea. Mark is a fire captain at Albert Lea Fire Department and the Emergency Manager of Freeborn County, while Marilyn is a paraeducator at Albert Lea High School, the Clerk of Albert Lea Township and the reservationist for the Pelican Breeze II, a tour and dinner boat on Albert Lea Lake. Inspiring couples like this help make smaller communities like Albert Lea a great place to live. Learn more about Mark and Marilyn below.
Schweigert: What’s the most fulfilling part about working for the community of Albert Lea?
Marilyn and Mark: We both agree that the people we work with are great and easy to get along with, which makes the job more than just a job. It is actually fun to go to work.
Schweigert: What does the word “community” mean to you?
Marilyn and Mark: We feel like we belong here. The people are very friendly and take time to listen to our ideas and any concerns we may have, and that makes us feel like our ideas matter.
Schweigert: What are some of the unique features of Albert Lea that a visitor might not notice?
Marilyn and Mark: It’s called “The Land Between the Lakes.” We have a cruise boat called the Pelican Breeze II that takes visitors on tours around Albert Lea Lake. This is a diverse city with several parks, many lakes and recreation, but it also has two industrial parks with several products manufactured here. It is close enough to I-90 and I-35 yet far enough away so you don’t even know those busy interstate highways are out there.
Schweigert: What does it mean to you to have Schweigert as a local brand in your community?
Marilyn and Mark: It’s great to have a nationally known brand meat product produced here. It provides hundreds of jobs for people who live here. Mark worked at the plant before it was purchased by Cargill. We toured the plant before that, and we know that it is a quality product. And to be the official brand of the Minnesota Twins – WOW!
Schweigert: What’s your favorite Schweigert product?
Marilyn and Mark: Natural casing wieners – especially on the campfire!
Schweigert: Do you have any original recipes you’ve created with Schweigert products? (This can be anything from a casserole recipe to just a special way you like your brats.)
Marilyn and Mark: Brats in potato boats (cut-up potatoes in foil) cooked over the campfire. Also, Schweigert Smoked Brats cut up and fried with eggs over the campfire are excellent too. Only Schweigert brands are used on the fire here!
Schweigert: What are your hobbies outside of work?
Marilyn and Mark: Motorcycling, scrapbooking, sewing, landscaping, horse shows with the grandchildren and being captain and first mate of the Pelican Breeze II.
Schweigert: What achievement in life are you most proud of?
Marilyn and Mark: Several, actually. We celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary on February 14! We raised three successful girls here in Albert Lea. Mark is proud of his 30 years in public safety and attaining his bachelor’s degree. Marilyn also achieved her AAS degree after the girls graduated from college.
Schweigert: Who has been your greatest inspiration in life?
Marilyn and Mark: Mark says that his father inspired him; he gave him the “never give up” attitude. Marilyn thinks that her girls have influenced her life; their motto is “If you want something, go after it!”
If there’s someone you’d like to nominate for a future Community Spotlight, send us an email and tell us a little bit about them.