04/16/2025
Resident Spotlight: Ned W!
Trails of Orono welcomed some new friends in January 2025 when Ned and Chris moved in. Although that was in the cold and dark of winter, they brought rays of sunshine! Ned was born in Stillwater Minnesota in 1950, the youngest of two children. His father was a local high school history teacher & basketball coach and served as the assistant principal. He later became the Director of Personnel in the Stillwater school district. Ned fondly remembers a happy childhood, spending time every summer at the family cabin on Blanche Lake in Battle Lake, Minnesota. Ned was a three-sport athlete in high school playing football, basketball, and later on, golf. He was all-conference in football, but golf was his true love - which he had started playing as a 12-year-old! He played varsity golf all four years of high school and continued to enjoy playing the game and traveling to various golf courses throughout his adult life.
Ned set his sights high and his goals early in life. One of those aspirations was his wife, Chris. When Ned was in the eighth grade, Chris sang in the choir at their Presbyterian church. Ned’s mother mentioned how cute “that Chris was” and in no time, he KNEW he wanted to date her. While in high school, Ned was a committed athlete and having a steady girlfriend was frowned upon by the coaches. Chris and Ned, in order to avoid being noticed by coaches and teammates, agreed to meet at an out-of-the-way radiator in a school hall. Chris remembers one day walking down the hall talking to Ned and suddenly found she was talking to herself! Ned had spotted a coach coming toward them and had ducked into another hall so as not to be seen with her! This obviously did not change the direction of their relationship, as they have been married 52 years!
After high school, Chris attended Hamline University where she pursued a degree in teaching. Ned headed to Macalester College, where after playing two years of football there, transferred to the University of Minnesota for dental school. His maternal grandfather, a dentist, served as a source of inspiration to Ned as he pursued dentistry. Chris graduated in 1973 and married Ned the same year. She felt very fortunate to land a teaching job right away at Centennial Junior High School in Circle Pines, MN (where she taught for 5 years). Because Chris then had an income, she could help to support Ned through dental school at the University of Minnesota.
When Ned graduated from dental school in 1976, his “can do” attitude enabled him to secure a bank loan to start his own practice. Not many people have the ability to start out on their own, but that’s just what Ned did. He practiced for 40 years, always “flying solo”. Although he was the only dentist in the office, Ned was able to employ 3 hygienists, 2 assistants, and a receptionist. Ned eventually began specializing in cosmetic dentistry and became known as “the guy to go to” for both patients and new dentists. Young dentists loved coming to Ned’s “state of the art” practice where Ned had the pleasure of mentoring them along their professional path. In 1993, Ned received the prestigious American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry award. Chris reports that he was known for his kind and caring ways with both employees and patients. He later counseled his children to always try to “be their own boss”.
Ned and Chris started their family in Stillwater in 1978, with the birth of their son Max, who is the founding owner of a residential architecture firm, Windmiller Design Studio, here in Wayzata. Mollie followed and is the founding creative director of Artful Living magazine and is owner and creative director of LAB Mpls, which is known for its marketing and branding. Their third child, Whitney, was a member of the first women’s golf team at Columbia University in New York. When she returned to MN from NYC 15 years ago, she began her role as a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch here in Wayzata, managing her own team (Blasko Wealth Management) and book of clients.
Throughout their marriage, Ned and Chris continued the family tradition of spending summertime at the cabin on Blanche Lake. Their warm and welcoming spirits brought ALL holiday and family gatherings to their house. It is clear that their 50 plus-year partnership is still very strong to this day. Ned enjoyed playing and watching golf throughout his adult life. His love of golf included travel to various golf destinations across the USA, playing at St. Andrew’s in Scotland and golfing in Ireland. He fondly remembers going to watch The Masters in Augusta, Georgia.
When asked how he felt about living at the Trails, Ned said “it feels like home”. Chris and Ned both agreed, without a moment’s hesitation, that the best thing they have given the world is their children. Having much to be proud of, they agreed that the best thing about being their age is looking back and having no regrets. They reported that life has taught them to be honest, be true to self, and be kind. When asked what they would most like to be remembered for, they responded with three things: being devoted and committed marriage partners, mindful and loving parents, and dedicated and accomplished in their personal lives and professional careers. It seems Ned and Chris have hit their mark!
