Shirley Sehrt, a 72-year-old widow, moved to St. James 15 years ago to live close to her sister after her husband died of cancer. She worked for 13 years at the Voss Truck Stop as a cook until a slip in the kitchen caused serious injury. She then began volunteering five days a week at the St. James Caring Center. "Staying home is for the birds," Sehrt said. "To me, if you are a Christian, you want to help other people." She is a fundraiser for many causes and cleans the church once a week. Her generosity often involves cooking for other people, especially her fellow parishioners at St. John Lutheran Church. Recently, inspired by a book called 'Cooking with the Ancients', she prepared a meal for 15 members of her Bible class using recipes that were common during biblical times.
PHOTO BY MARGOT GEIST / MPW.60