Steve and Colleen Messeter are busy people who get things done

There is an old saying, “If you want something done ask a busy person.” Those words ring true many times. Say hello to Steven and Colleen Messetter.

Both of them grew up in Montana. They met in high school and wore out a lot of shoe leather whirling around the dance floor.

When Colleen graduated from high school she enrolled in Eastern Washington University. Steven Messetter was working in a sawmill at Livingston, Mont. The sawmill was shut down for the winter and Steven followed Colleen to Cheney.

Steven said, “This was 1974. Thirty days later I had a job in the chemical fertilizer business.” He works in the sales and service department of AG Link at Davenport every day. Steven enjoys his work. He said, “Those in agri-business are good people. Davenport farmers raise wheat and barley. Canola is beginning to move into the market. I work outside most of the time.”

Colleen Mussetter graduated from EWU and taught school for 32 years at Medical Lake and Blair School before it was honored with Michael Anderson’s name. She now works part time in admissions at Spokane Falls College.

This is only a part of their lives. The Mussetters have a son, Josh, who is married and has a son of his own. Josh works for Boeing. Their daughter Kalli graduated from Seattle University with a master’s in criminal psychology. When she was in high school Kalli began grooming dogs. Now she helps victims of crime. She is also married and lives with her husband in Seattle. He is an electrical engineer.

The Messetters have lived in the Cheney area since the 1980s. When Josh and Kalli were growing up they were members of 4-H. Steven and Colleen Messetter, as parents were helpful with activities. They continue that helpfulness. The day I visited with them they were loading horse equipment for a used tack swap to be held in March at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds. Steven Messetter said, “Community service work is important. Colleen and I work together.” Colleen makes quilts to be sold at a silent auction and donates other items as well.

Is it all work and no play for the Messetters? Absolutely not. They are skiers. They mentioned skiing at Schweitzer and Stevens Pass and told me they’ve skied at all the ski resorts. Steven has two horses he uses for trail riding. Five ewes have a home on the farm. The day I visited a new lamb had just been born. Colleen poured me a cup of coffee and sat down to chat as if she didn’t have a hundred things to do that day.

Steven Messetter is retired from the Army National Guard. When I called to ask for a half hour of his time he said, “Sure, you can ask questions while I load the pickup.” You want to know how busy people get it all done? You might ask the Messetters.

Luella Dow is a Cheney-area author. She can be reached at lotsaplots1@aol.com.