Jolene McLaughlin has lived the majority of her life in the Elmwood, Nebraska area, home of author Bess Streeter Aldrich. Jolene graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees in physician’s assistant and nursing from the University of Nebraska-Medical Center. After retiring, she became an active volunteer at the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation. Through reading many of her works, biography, letters and journals, Jolene has learned much about the multiple gifts, talents and strengths Mrs. Aldrich possessed and she enjoys sharing this information through the portrayal of Mrs. Aldrich. Her goal is to make more people aware of Bess Streeter Aldrich, a hidden gem of Nebraska history. Jolene and her husband, Jim, are blessed with three grown children and three grandchildren.
