November 29, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

10 things you don’t know about me with Whitney Setterdahl

My favorite childhood memory is when my youngest brother Jack was born. My brother Ben and I were eating an ice cream sundae at Perkins when our parents called and said Jack was going to be born soon. We ditched our sundaes and ran through the parking lot to the hospital!

I think it’s important to get involved in community service because it teaches you to be empathetic. I always try to keep in mind that others in my community have had different struggles and experiences than I have, and getting involved with their service efforts teaches you to understand the people around you a bit better, and the world a bit better too. My experience with cancer was heartbreaking in so many ways and not always easy to share, but I think spreading the word about your experiences is really important and gives you a sense of control over something you feel like you have no control over sometimes.

The last book I read was “When Genius Failed” by Roger Lowenstein.

The Office is a show I can watch over and over! I’ve probably seen every episode at least 5 times.

I think what I’ll remember most about 2020 is the cheering I would hear from my apartment in Chicago every night during the first few months of the pandemic. I lived near a hospital and when the nurses would get off their shifts and walk home, everyone cheered to show their appreciation!

I’m most looking forward to hopefully getting to take a trip somewhere again in 2021. Between starting my job after graduation and the pandemic, I’m really missing relaxing at the beach.

It’s so hard to pick my favorite part of the holidays because I love the entire season so much. If I had to pick one thing, I’d say the time with my family. My brother goes to college out of state and since I’ve moved out from home, my siblings and i see each other less frequently so I really love catching up and being under one roof again.

My favorite place I’ve traveled to is Verbier, Switzerland. I got to back in March of 2019 for my job, it was so beautiful and I hope to go back one day!

I always carry chapstick, hand sanitizer, and a hair tie.

My first pet was a cat I named Grazy.

in People
Banner
Related Posts

10 things you don’t know about me… Abbie Layden-Rogiers

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Each week we ask a community member to tell us 10 things about themselves. This week is Abbie Layden-Rogiers, owner...

‘I love feeling a part of the community’

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

Almost a year ago exactly, The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the naming and grand opening of...

St. Joseph man peacefully protests against police brutality: ‘We need to listen’

June 4, 2020

June 4, 2020

Jon Arteaga isn’t looking for any praise by protesting at the corner of Main Street and Route 150 in St....

Scholarship honors, remembers Dick Duval: ‘His legend will live on in St. Joe’

October 5, 2021

October 5, 2021

If you want to know who Dick Duval truly was, all you have to do is ask St. Joseph-Ogden Superintendent...

Marching Spartans to perform at U of I

October 25, 2019

October 25, 2019

After last marching band season band director Chuck Hess began searching for a new a show. He wanted a show...

Area students make Parkland Deans list

June 5, 2019

June 5, 2019

Area students make the Parkland Deans List FithianJazmine L. Rodriguez HomerGracyn A. AllenBrody D. ColeFiona N. ElyLena C. LeonbergerMarissa L....

St. Joseph rallies to find missing dog

September 17, 2020

September 17, 2020

Operation bring Piper home is in full effect in St. Joseph. Piper, a yellow labrador retriever, went missing from the...

‘Being the first of anything comes with challenges, but also a lot of opportunity’

July 13, 2021

July 13, 2021

St. Joseph Village Administrator Joseph Hackney likes challenges. “Being the first of anything comes with challenges, but also a lot...

How I get it done: St. Joseph-Ogden Principal GARY PAGE

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

We ask local leaders to discuss their views on leadership, how they set goals and what a typical day is...

Bright Beginnings to hold open house

September 18, 2021

September 18, 2021

A long-time dream is finally coming to fruition. Bright Beginnings Learning Center located at 501 Peters Drive in St. Joseph,...

10 Things You Don’t Know about me… Sharon Jeffers

March 20, 2019

March 20, 2019

I have two grown and married children, Logan/Tressica and Lauren/Kris, and two beautiful grandchildren Weston, and Emma I grew up...

‘St. Joseph is better because of Dixie Hackler’

January 20, 2020

January 20, 2020

Dixie Hackler always had a smile on her face. Always made time for others. And always made sure others knew...

Friends hope to help Heritage alumni battle illness

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

Heritage alumni Anya Knecht makes food for her friends, family and coworkers. She sends cards and handmade gifts to others....

10 things you don’t know about me… Tammie Mabry

May 8, 2019

May 8, 2019

In honor of teacher appreciation week we asked one of our favorite teachers to tell us 10 things we didn’t...

Dream come true: St. Joseph native earns veterinarian degree from University of Illinois

July 18, 2019

July 18, 2019

Suzanne Ford has always wanted to be a veterinarian. “My mom says I was two years old when I said...

Comments
Leave a Reply