Mary F. Tornstrom

Mary F. Tornstrom attended the Stillwater schools and then the University of Minnesota where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She continued her education at Colorado State College at Greeley and obtained a master’s degree. She also did graduate work at Columbia University and the University of Chicago. She taught at Spring Grove High School and Cokato High School before coming to Brainerd. In Brainerd, Miss Tornstrom taught English, History, and German. She served as the High School principal for nearly twenty years. She became the first dean of women at Brainerd Junior College when the institution was first created. She taught courses in the college when it was housed at Washington High School. She also served as director of high schools plays, an advisor to the high school senate, as guidance director for the high school and was deeply involved in almost everything that took place at the school.