CITIZEN

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Meyer moved to Minnesota in the 1960s, working as a social worker in Clearwater County. He said it was in that position that he learned from another social worker — who was a member of the White Earth tribe — much about relationship building and to not take himself so seriously.

After that, he worked as a school social worker out of Crookston and worked as a liaison for Native American families whose children started attending the public schools following the closure of the Native American school there. He said it was a tremendous learning experience.

“I’m sure I learned more from it than any other good I might have done,” Meyer said.

At the same time, he started helping out more at his church as his pastor had cancer and he began reading Scripture to the congregation and even sharing the message. He also filled in for a three-month period for a neighboring pastor who oversaw a four-point parish.

“That kind of sunk into me, so as we went to other places along the way, we looked for things that hadn’t been done,” Meyer said.

Next, he moved to the southwest corner of the state and helped establish one of the first rural child protection teams in the state. He also helped start a summer youth project there.

He moved to Albert Lea in 1984, where he started working for Freeborn County.

He said he was introduced to Robin and Greg Gudal, who were licensed foster parents.

Robin Gudal said he listened to them and cared, and she appreciated his leadership as they fostered for over 10 years.

When Meyer retired, they connected with him again as leaders of South Central Minnesota Youth for Christ. She said they

Members of the Albert Lea Citizen of the Year Selection Committee

were about to begin a large undertaking of remodeling the basement of The Rock downtown.

“I can’t even begin to report how many Mrs. Gerry’s large potato salad buckets of cement were hammered out and hauled up the steps,” she said. “He