Diane Harr and her daughter Kelsey, 29, and son Ricky, 26, are lifelong residents of Edina. As the close-knit family gathers in Diane’s sitting room, taking turns petting Bella, a Shih Tzu/bichon frisé mix, one thing is clear: This family loves this town. From the schools to the community, they adore everything about where they’re from.
And each has given back to the city in his or her own way.
Diane, a lifelong Edina resident, spent 37 years teaching K-12 special education before she retired in 2012. Tried to retire, that is. Retirement would last only two weeks before she was approached by Concordia University in St. Paul to teach online classes in a criminal justice program started by her late husband, J. Scott Harr.
Diane now works full time at CSP as the coordinator for the graduate program for special education teachers. “I don’t know when I’ll retire again,” she says.
Reflecting on the unique character of Edina, Diane says it’s a small enough community that it’s easy to build relationships. Ricky knows this to be true. He remembers getting recognized by a family friend during training to become an Edina police officer.
Ricky was inspired to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was an Edina police officer and then director of public safety for Carver County. Ricky was sworn in three years ago. “Every kid wants to be a police officer, astronaut or firefighter,” Ricky says. “I guess I never grew up.”
Ricky’s career began in the local Police Explorers program for ages 14 to 21. After aging out, he became a volunteer and now serves as an advisor for the local chapter. He’s an educator in his own right, helping students see what a career in police work is like. “It’s about helping them grow and shaping them into young adults,” he says.
Ricky was introduced to the Explorer program in the fall following his father’s death, when a school resource officer reached out to Ricky. “[The program] gave him the support he needed at the time, and a connection to his future career and education,” Diane says. “I’ll forever be indebted to Officer Kenna Dick.”
“Detective Kenna Dick,” Ricky corrects his mom with a smile. “She got promoted.”
“I’m proud of my little brother,” Kelsey says, “to serve in your community, putting your own life on the line for everyone’s safety and comfort. Every day I’m thankful there are people [for whom] that’s their love and passion.”
Kelsey also has much to be proud of. She makes her difference through her public health career.
She’s also an adjunct professor, teaching online epidemiology classes at Concordia.
“A passion to help other people is underlying our whole family,” Kelsey says. Even dog Bella gets into the act, with daily visits to Diane’s mother and other residents of a local memory care facility.
The Harrs aren’t planning to leave Edina anytime soon. Kelsey and her fiancé Charlie plan to settle here. “There’s a pull here to all the amazing things that exist in this community,” she says.
Ricky agrees. “I plan to stay here and live here ... oh, forever!” he says.
Although Diane remembers a time when only a dog guarded the Southdale Medical Building, she says not much else has dramatically changed. “Edina has always had a community feel. It’s the connection between people that creates community.”
Diane Harr and her daughter Kelsey, 29, and son Ricky, 26, are lifelong residents of Edina. As the close-knit family gathers in Diane’s sitting room, taking turns petting Bella, a Shih Tzu/bichon frisé mix, one thing is clear: This family loves this town. From the schools to the community, they adore everything about where they’re from.
And each has given back to the city in his or her own way.
Diane, a lifelong Edina resident, spent 37 years teaching K-12 special education before she retired in 2012. Tried to retire, that is. Retirement would last only two weeks before she was approached by Concordia University in St. Paul to teach online classes in a criminal justice program started by her late husband, J. Scott Harr.
Diane now works full time at CSP as the coordinator for the graduate program for special education teachers. “I don’t know when I’ll retire again,” she says.
Reflecting on the unique character of Edina, Diane says it’s a small enough community that it’s easy to build relationships. Ricky knows this to be true. Ricky’s career began in the local Police Explorers of a local memory care facility. He remembers getting recognized by a family friend during training to become an Edina police officer.
Ricky was inspired to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was an Edina police officer and then director of public safety for Carver County. Ricky was sworn in three years ago. “Every kid wants to be a police officer, astronaut or firefighter,” Ricky says. “I guess I never grew up.”
The Harrs aren’t planning to leave Edina anytime soon. Kelsey and her fiancé Charlie plan to settle here. “There’s a pull here to all the amazing things that exist in this community,” she says.
Ricky agrees. “I plan to stay here and live here ... oh, forever!” he says.
Although Diane remembers a time when only a dog guarded the Southdale Medical Building, she says not much else has dramatically changed. “Edina has always had a community feel. It’s the connection between people that creates community.”
