WELCOME NEW MEMBER ERICA STERN
Erica was inducted on Tuesday, October 31st.
Sponsor: Paul Nelson
Erica Stern comes from a long line of Rotarians from her home state of North Dakota. Erica's great-grandpa Herman Stern was a founding member of the Valley City club, and her grandpa was active in the Fargo club. Her uncle John Stern is a very active member of the Fargo West club. Erica's dad Rick Stern is a lifelong member of the Fargo Kiwanis Club, but has given his blessing for her to join Rotary as long as she continues to volunteer at their annual Pancake Karnival.
Erica moved to Edina with her mom Peggy Linrud during elementary school and graduated from Edina High School in 2002. Erica earned a BA in History from McGill University in Montreal, Canada and an MA in Art History from Christie's Education in London, England. Erica moved to Washington, DC, where she lived for 12 years, working first for U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan, and then as an auditor for the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Postal Service.
Erica was extremely active in her community, volunteering at the Hillwood Museum, the Kennedy Center, the Homeless Children's Playtime Project, and various mentoring programs. She also served on the board of her Lutheran church, sang in the choir, and was the Treasurer of her Toastmasters club. Erica met native South Dakotan Jeremy Funk in DC, and they married in 2016. They have adopted two basset hound mixes named Maggie and Zoey.
During the height of Covid in 2020, Erica accepted an opportunity in Minnesota to work for the Treasury Department as a financial crimes investigator. Erica and Jeremy found the perfect rambler in the Presidents neighborhood of Edina and are delighted to be closer to family and to reconnect with childhood friends. Erica tried her hand at coaching girls basketball for EBA last year and is excited for the upcoming season.
Erica enjoys visiting the Museum of Russian Art, seeing concerts and plays, attending events at the Alliance Francaise, and reading anything written by Agatha Christie. Erica looks forward to brining her community spirit and enthusiasm to the Edina Morningside Rotary Club.
For inquiries about Rotary membership, please contact EMRC Membership Chair Peter Williams.