CORE824
About Our Team
Our Heart for Wanamingo
Core824 is a community hub in the former Wanamingo school building. It’s home to Golden Days & Little Rays Daycare, private office spaces for local professionals, and a family-friendly Open Gym with year-round access.
Our owners and team share a love for small towns, faith, family, and hard work. Together they’re restoring this historic space into a place where kids can grow, businesses can thrive, and neighbors can connect.
Meet Our Owners
The vision for Core824 and Golden Days & Little Rays is shaped by people who love this community and believe in investing in the next generation.
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Ole Olson
Ole lives on the family farm north of Albert Lea, Minnesota, where I’ve built a life rooted in hard work, service, and community. After 44 years in the roofing industry — working with roofing manufacturers and contributing to countless projects across the region — I retired on December 31, 2024.
In addition to my civilian career, I proudly served 40 years in the U.S. Army and the Minnesota Army National Guard, completing both peacetime and combat deployments. Throughout my service, I developed a deep appreciation for teamwork, leadership, and dedication to mission — values that continue to guide me today.
An entrepreneur at heart, I’ve also owned and successfully sold two small businesses in Albert Lea. As I enter this new chapter, I’m excited to collaborate with the community leadership of Wanamingo and its residents to help revitalize the former school building — creating opportunities that support local activities, foster connection, and encourage small business growth.
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Larry & Joan Grove
Larry and Joan Grove will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this January, marking half a century of faith, family, and community. Together, they have raised 15 children and are blessed with 29 grandchildren who continue to bring joy and pride to their lives.
A lifelong resident of Wanamingo, Larry has operated a local business serving the community for the past 45 years. His dedication, work ethic, and integrity have made him a cornerstone of the area. For the last four years, Larry has also served as Head Pastor at Hauge Lutheran Church in Kenyon, where he shares his faith and compassion with others.
Joan has been a devoted member of the Goodhue County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse for 24 years, demonstrating her deep commitment to community service. Alongside her professional and volunteer efforts, she has played an invaluable role in supporting their children and helping to raise the next generation.
Together, Larry and Joan embody the values of love, service, and family — leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire all who know them.
Core824 Leadership Team
These are the people caring for the day-to-day details that keep the building welcoming, organized, and ready for community life.
Ruthie Welgemoed
Head of Operations & Marketing
Ruthie is married to her Husband Nico & together they have 4 Kiddos. Having lived in Wanamingo for the majority of her life, she has deep roots in the community and a strong passion for family, connection, and growth. Ruthie’s love for her hometown inspires her dedication to creating spaces where families can learn, grow, and come together in every stage of life.
Jill Swenson
Office Manager
I'm Jill Swenson, I'm from Nerstrand, where I live with my wonderful husband, Rick. Family means everything to me — I love spending time with our kids, Megan and Derek, Allie and Adam, and our three amazing grandkids, Winnie, Luna, and Huxley. Whether it’s sharing laughter over a good cup of coffee or making memories together, my favorite moments are always the ones spent with the people I love most.
Golden Days & Little Rays Team
Golden Days & Little Rays Daycare serves infants through school-age kids with a warm, nurturing environment and a schedule that supports busy families. Our leadership team blends years of experience in childcare, ministry, education, and parenting.
Heather Schuster
Daycare Manager & Lead Teacher
Warm Greetings! It is my great joy to serve the children and families of Golden Days and Little Rays. Together we are creating something very beautiful in my hometown of Wanamingo.
I was born and raised in this precious little town and consider it a little slice of goodness. After spending my elementary years in this very building I now find myself working, I graduated from Kenyon-Wanamingo High School in 1996. Upon graduation I obtained my associates degree and then a BS in Speech Communication from UW-River Falls. My first career was with Radio Disney where I worked as their Kid Programs and Public Affairs Director. In 2008, during an economic downturn, I found myself seeking the Lord and asking for direction. Ultimately in His goodness, I landed a new job as an Elementary Director serving kids in Kindergarten-5th grade at my church in Rochester, MN. I obtained my master’s in Children’s and Family Ministry and absolutely LOVED my work.
Then several years later, my hubby and I welcomed our firstborn daughter named Chloe. She set me on a new journey of motherhood. This was a season of deep joy and tender love. I got to stay home and homeschool her through 8th grade. Chloe and I made a life of learning, playdates and showing horses while her dad worked to support our fun-filled adventures. I am blessed to be married to a hard working, dedicated and compassionate husband…and Chloe is over the moon blessed to call him “dad”.
Once this intensive time of motherhood shifted, I gently went back to part time work as a substitute teacher in local school districts for 3 years. After Chloe graduated high school, earning her associated degree at the same time, I knew it was time to launch into something with greater responsibility. I prayed, “Lord, I’d like something to sink my teeth into…something that utilizes all the skills and insights you’ve graciously imparted all these years” Humbly I confess, He’s given all this and SO MUCH MORE!
Honestly, it seemed impossible. I wanted to stay close to home, yet there were no jobs serving children and families that felt “right”. Then one day I learned about Golden Days and Little Rays. I hopped onto their facebook page and saw a job posting. Immediately my heart warmed, I applied, and here I am. Praise Jesus. I want Him to be glorified, honored and blessed by how we nurture, love and care for the precious little ones He brings to us.
Bless you, I hope your journey with us is wonderful. Don’t hesitate to let me know how I can support and pray for you!
Psalm 127: “Children are a gift, a reward from the Lord.”
Colossians 3:23 “Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others.”
Pam Bakken
Daycare Manager
Pam Bakken is one of our Daycare Managers. While she lives in the metro area, her husband Chris grew up in the Wanamingo/Cannon Falls area. Pam has been married to Chris for 30 years and they have six children, 5 adult boys and 1 daughter (16 yrs old). The owners of Golden Days and Little Rays, Larry and Joan Grove happen to be her husband's aunt and uncle. Community and Family relationships run deep in the work family of Golden Days and Little Rays.
Pam has 25+ years of childcare experience, 18 of which she was the owner and operator of PB&J Licensed Childcare, LLC. While she holds a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Minnesota, her life's calling has been to care for children and be a support to their parents. She is excited to nurture families while providing an enriching and supportive work environment for the staff that will be caring for your children everyday. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord..." Colossians 3:23