Kimball Graduate Now Serves As Wisconsin Lawmaker

A former resident of Kimball, Debra Kolste, was sworn in to the 101st legislative session of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 44th Assembly District Monday, January 7, 2013. Kolste has been assigned to the committees of Health, Transportation, Workforce Development and Small Business Development.

Though Kolste, the former Debra Babl, has not been back to Kimball for about 15 years, she still keeps in touch with old classmates and still has fond memories of her time here.

“I loved Kimball. I worked at the hospital there. It was amazing. I loved my high school experience. I had a wonderful experience. I just loved everything about Kimball,” Kolste said.

Kolste graduated from Kimball High School as co-valedictorian in 1971 and went on to the University of Nebraska to pursue a degree in medical technology on a scholarship.

Kolste’s memories of Kimball go back to a different time in Kimball’s history as she lived here for both the oil boom and the missile boom.

“One time we only went to school a half day, because there were so many people, It was an always changing community. It was fun, and there were lots of new people,” Kolste said.

Kolste not only carries Kimball in her memories of the past, but also uses the values that she learned here to influence her approach as a representative for Wisconsin by way of her pragmatism.

“Wisconsin has been very divided, and there’s slow progress being made in bipartisanship. I think I’m pragmatic enough to know that things we do must be worked on together. I owned a small business. We still own a farm in western Kansas so it’s not as if I don’t know all those values,” Kolste said.

However, Koste’s allegiance to Kimball and Nebraska comes to an end when Nebraska faces off against Wisconsin in sporting events.

“We have season tickets to the Badgers’ games so we’re Badgers’ fans,” Kolste said.

Though Kolste has been away from Kimball for many years and now resides in a town of about 60,000 people, her approach for living in a small community like Kimball can still be beneficial to anyone willing to adopt it themselves.

“There wasn’t anything that went on that I wasn’t there. I went to every sporting event and every musical event. I just immersed myself in the community,” Kolste said.

Kolste currently lives in Janesville, Wisconsin with her husband Dr. Rex Kolste .