Now Dona (Anderson) Houltberg manages retail store in Salina
Managing editor
With her effervescent personality and the gift of being able to make people feel comfortable, former Marion resident Dona (Anderson) Houltberg was definitely in her element Thursday morning, promoting a fashion show for St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary members.
The Salina resident came to her hometown to promote her business and, well, to have fun.
When a person meets the energetic Houltberg, she is not easily forgotten because of her personality.
The successful retailer attributes much of her success to her upbringing in Marion and the way the Marion community treats residents.
That sense of caring was amplified when Houltberg was a young child and the Andy and Ruth Anderson family home burned, right after Christmas. Members of the Marion community came forward and helped the family with clothing, furniture, food, and even a place to live — for free.
“I have never forgotten that sense of giving,” Houltberg said. “That sense of giving has stayed with me.”
Since then, she has tried to “pay it forward” by doing the same for others.
If someone is in need, the Houltberg family is there to help — particularly during the holidays.
“My family and I are into the whole Christmas thing,” Houltberg said.
They help people in the Salina community by buying gifts for those in need, helping neighbors hang lights, and volunteering at events.
Life in Marion
Born and raised in Marion, and graduating in 1972 from Marion High School, Houltberg still remembers life in the small town.
“Some of my fondest memories of Marion were to go to the Western Auto store and buy bulk candy,” she said.
Houltberg also remembers when she was 10 or 12 years old, and she won a 3-foot tall doll at a Christmas drawing. Another year, she won a bike.
“The drawings were a highlight. The downtown would be packed with people and they would have these drawings from a hay wagon,” she said.
She still has the doll.
Her parents, Andy and Ruth Anderson, were longtime residents. Her father was part of the construction crew that built the dam at Marion Reservoir and was injured when he and another worker fell from the structure. Andy survived. The other worker did not.
Later, Andy worked for the county and owned The Lounge, a popular downtown tavern.
Ruth was a longtime employee at Marion Manor.
In high school, Houltberg and her classmates would “hang out” in Central Park, across from the former Dairy Palace, now The Big Scoop.
Houltberg said she would always be grateful to Margaret Ehrlich for “rescuing” her.
“I was flipping burgers at A-1 Café,” Houltberg said, as a high school student, “when Margaret changed my life.”
The “life changing” event was an opportunity to work at the Sears catalog store in downtown Marion, where Ehrlich was the manager.
Stage was set for success
Houltberg has always been a natural with retail sales. With the gift of gab and a welcoming disposition, she has always been a “people person.”
In 1974, she moved to Salina, worked the next 18 years at Sears as the appliance and furniture department manager, and was a manager at JC Penney for five years.
For the past seven years, she has managed CJ Banks, a woman’s clothing store in Salina.
“I love my job,” she said. “It’s about helping women feel good about themselves.”
The clothing store caters to women, sizes 14 to 28.
“Sometimes when women come to my store, they aren’t feeling too good about themselves,” Houltberg said. “I try to help them find a style they like and make them feel good about themselves.
“I’m not just selling clothes,” she said. “I’m doing more. I want them to leave my store glowing.
“When clients come into my store, they know I’m not just trying to sell them something. I’m trying to make their day better.”
She is married to William Houltberg, a salesman for Salina Supply, and together they have four children — Brandon, Michael, Lindsay, and Lisa.
Brandon is married and has three children — James, 7, Christian, 6, and Rylee, 1, who are doted on like most grandchildren.
“I enjoy volunteering at James’ and Christian’s schools,” Houltberg said, continuing her service to others.
Whenever the active mother and grandmother can return to Marion, she does, as she did Thursday.
“That show was so much fun,” Houltberg said.
Fashion shows are common at the store but she also does them in different settings, like in the clinic basement Thursday.
As part of her job, she sometimes travels to assist in the opening of new stores or training people.
But at the end of the day, Houltberg is most appreciative of being able to do something she loves — helping people.
She wishes she could come to Marion more often.
“I miss not being in a small town,” she said. “I miss Marion. My goal has always been to live by the lake. I hope I can do that eventually.
“I’m proud to say I’m from Marion.”