The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
-by Becky Smith, The Quill
Dr. Maggie (Rodeffer) Krumwiede
Dr. Maggie (Rodeffer) Krumwiede is a 2001 La Harpe High School graduate, the daughter of Steve and Paula Rodeffer of La Harpe.
Maggie graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2005. She then obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy in 2009 in the first graduating class at SIUE.
Maggie is currently a pharmacist at Watsons Drug Store, an independent pharmacy in Greenville, IL. They are the 3rd oldest pharmacy in Illinois, having been in business since 1881.
Maggie says "As a pharmacist, I am in the center of the healthcare industry. I provide personalized care to individuals for all types of conditions, from diabetes and high blood pressure to cancer and pain management.
"Being a pharmacist, I am more accessible to my patients than any other healthcare provider, so I am really able to develop strong relationships with people and see the differences I have made in their lives.
"It is an incredibly rewarding, yet challenging career, as we are constantly battling Pharmacy Benefit Managers and insurance companies, which attempt to interfere with exceptional patient care."
Maggie says, "The first 5 years of my career, I split my time between Watsons & Family Care Pharmacy, another mom-and-pop drug store. This experience was invaluable to my career, as it enabled me to completely immerse myself in the profession and gain a lot of great experience."
Maggie is married to Luke Krumwiede and they live in Collinsville, Illinois. She says "I met my husband, Luke, after college (though he attended SIUE at the same time) playing slow-pitch softball. I went on vacation and the team I played for needed a sub, so someone invited Luke to play. He was so good, they asked him to join the team, so we met the following week when I returned from my trip and we never looked back!
Luke works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a geotechnical engineer, monitoring locks & dams, lakes, and levees in the St. Louis district."
"While we have no children of our own, we love being aunt and uncle and are fortunate to have my sister and brother-in-law, Jessie and J.T. Forys and their 3 daughters, Annie (8), Mollie (6), and Sydnie (2) living right across the street!"
Jessie (Rodeffer) Forys
Maggie's sister, Jessie (Rodeffer) Forys, lives in Collinsville and is a labor and delivery nurse at SSM St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
Alex Rodeffer
Maggie's brother, Alex Rodeffer, lives in La Harpe and is a Social Studies teacher at Illini West High School.
Dr. Maggie Krumwiede
Maggie says, "My husband and I consider ourselves to be "wannabe foodies' and follow the St. Louis food scene very closely.
"We have also started visiting Michelin-star restaurants in other cities. We love to travel and are trying to make it to all 50 states. I have 9 left to visit! Our favorite travel destination is the Emerald Coast of Florida, along Highway 30A, just east of Destin.
"I serve on the Board of Directors of the SIUE Alumni Association as the Co-Chairperson of the Engagement Committee.
"This position allows me to give back to my alma mater by interacting with alumni, mentoring students, and raising money for scholarships.
"I am also very active in my church, serving on the preschool and college ministries.
"I play in multiple indoor and sand volleyball leagues and spend a lot of my free time running, having just completed my first half marathon."
When asked about a most influential person or teacher Maggie states, "While my parents have been tremendous in influencing me, I was truly raised by "a village'.
"I can remember each of my teachers and lessons each of them taught me. From Mrs. Joyce Crim & Mrs. Janet McKoon early on, who really kick-started my love for reading (I'm in a monthly book club), to Mrs. Cindy Pollock and Mrs. Laurie Myers, who really made learning fun.
"In high school, Mr. & Mrs. Apt and so many of the teachers saw potential in me from the beginning.
"I was first introduced to public speaking with Mrs. Pam Sparrow & Mrs. Paula Blythe. I expanded my love for Jeopardy and lifelong learning from Mr. Rick Doyle (I watch Jeopardy daily and hope to be a contestant one day), and was influenced by Mrs. Lila McKeown and Mrs. Barbie Ramsey to pursue a career involving math and science.
"Specifically, they made me realize the potential success I could have as a woman in the sciences.
"Then there were my music teachers- going back to Mrs. Dianne Balmer, followed by Mrs. Jane (Fort) Edwards and Mr. Greggory Perkins. I discovered that music education is vital in becoming a well-rounded intellectual."
"My coaches were equally influential. Being a 3-sport athlete, I was fortunate to train with many excellent coaches who have had lasting impressions on my leadership and teamwork skills.
"I appreciate coaches Joanna Sholl, Jason Finch, and Tim Lafferty for pushing me on the court and the track. I especially value the expertise of Coach Carroll Hickenbottom, who must have seen something special in our track team to devote the number of hours he did with us, either out on the spray-painted track on the golf course, or the cinders in Sciota. He has such a tremendous wealth of knowledge and I'm so fortunate to have been coached by him."
"While I learned so much from each of my teachers and coaches, I was really influenced most by my youth leaders at La Harpe Christian Church, such as Aaron Hughes, the late Steve Szoke, Ted Sharpe, Brad & Debbie Hunt, and Eric & Jenni Little.
"These individuals, along with my parents and grandparents, developed my foundation and influenced my beliefs as a child of God."
"Lastly, my parents, Steve & Paula Rodeffer (both in healthcare: Dad the dentist in La Harpe for the last 39 years and Mom a nurse at Great River Medical Center, until retiring after 35 years), have taught me countless lessons.
"They have taught me a work ethic like none other, how to have sincere empathy for my patients, regardless of their circumstances, and how a friendly, familiar face can have a tremendous impact on a patient.
"I am so incredibly grateful to have been raised in La Harpe and I will always consider it home!"
L-R Alex Rodeffer, Jessie Forys, Sydnie Forys, JT Forys, Luke Krumwiede, Maggie Krumwiede, Mollie Forys, Paula Rodeffer, Annie Forys, Steve Rodeffer.