Charles "Chuck" J. Fodness was born Jan. 2, 1936, to Emmett and Tena (Buss) Fodness on a farm in rural Lennox, South Dakota. He moved with his parents to rural Kenneth, Minnesota, and went to a one-room country school until the eighth grade.
Barb Bullerman was born on Feb. 8, 1951, in Luverne, Minnesota, to Berdell and Ione Kraetsch Bush. She grew up in Hills, Minnesota, and graduated from Hills High School in 1969. Barb then attended Spencer School of Business, graduating in 1970.