Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Mahlstedt purchases Ramstad’s Photography



Reprinted with permission from the Enterprise Dispatch.

“It’s something I’ve
always wanted to do,” Vivian Mahlstedt said. She recently purchased
Ramstad’s Photography in Cokato from Dave and Norma Ramstad. “People
are so happy for me, and for Dave and Norma Ramstad,” Mahlstedt said.
“It has been fun.”

Mahlstedt and her daughter Kristy will be working together
in the studio. Kristy graduated from Bethel College, St. Paul a year ago.
They will photograph weddings, families, seniors, pre-schoolers, do passport
photos and any other photo work customers need. “We are very excited
about it,” Vivian said.

Mahlstedt has been interested in photography for a long
time. She was a charter member of the Viewfinders Camera Club. “It
started around 1983,” she said. “Kristy had her senior photos
and Howard Lake Royalty pictures taken at Ramstads, and she had such a good
time,” Mahlstedt said. Kristy’s experience encouraged Mahlstedt to
pursue her dream.

“I didn’t know how to break into the photography
business, and then a friend of mine said Ramstad’s were selling the business
in Cokato,” Mahlstedt said.

They worked on arrangements; Mahlstedt purchased the equipment
and is leasing the building. “And Dave is helping me get started,”
she said.

Mahlstedt is the secretary for the superintendent at Howard
Lake-Waverly-Winsted schools, and she will be working in the photography
business part-time until mid October when someone to replace her at the
school takes the position.

“My goal is to help personalities show through in
my photography,” Mahlstedt said. “I would like it to be a fun
experience for people when they are photographed. I want it to be a sweet
memory for them.”

Mahlstedt (Vivian Bergren) is a Cokato native having grown
up on a farm north of Cokato. She is a Cokato High School graduate and was
transplanted to Howard Lake when she got married.

She and her husband Larry have three children, Kristy
who is working in the business, Evan who is attending Dunwoody Institute,
and Brianne who is a freshman at HL-W-W.

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