Mike and Suzan Gaster
In town: Just outside Nevada, Mo., Mike and Suzan Gaster run their own businesses. Mike said, “I was a tough street kid growing up and always wondered what was going on over the next hill. I became an owner/operator and got to see over a lot of hills, and I wanted some of that land. When Suzan and I bought our place, I expanded and ran a small trucking business with two other drivers driving part time and with all of us going to California and back once a week. Now I work out of our home with my LegalShield business (legal services) and have my own office. ”
Suzan said, “As a child I remember driving across country from San Diego to live in Minnesota with the family and thinking chicken came out of plastic packages and spaghetti grew as plants. Later I actually lived in the country but returned to more city life when I worked at the Sheldon Coop. I later rented a place to open my own accounting business in Nevada. Eventually we saved enough money and bought our 20 acres. Now I have two employees and run Suzan Gaster Accounting out of my home.”
In the country: Mike said, “We have had up to 12 red white-faced momma cows because we had a cutting horse we wanted to use. Actually, we are more horse people than cattle people. We had eight horses at one time; we are now down to two purebred Arabians.”
Why the country?
Mike said, “I love the country and plan on staying. It’s quiet and I can ride a horse or shoot a tree anytime I want. You can get away from people.”
Suzan said, “The country is where you can relax. We always want to have horses and maybe a few cows someday when life slows down.”
Story and Photo by Terry Ropp
