Sendoff for a century of work
Published 11:04 am Wednesday, August 24, 2011
County Board Chairman Tim Gabrielson (center) poses with (L to R) Wayne Edgar, Delores Whalen, Keith Johnson and Sandra Fredrickson Tuesday. The county board honored the four employees, who are all retiring after 20-plus years working for the county. -- Jason Schoonover/jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com
Mower County is losing 130 years of experience.
Four long-time employees were honored by the county board for their retirements during Tuesday’s county board meeting.
“They’re all longtime employees, and I’ve always enjoyed working with every one of them,” Commissioner Ray Tucker said.
Delores Whalen shakes hands with Commissioner Mike Ankeny at the county board meeting Tuesday where she was honored for her retirement. Whalen, Sandra Frederickson, Kith Johnson and Wayne Edgar are all retire from the county after more than 20 years of service.
Account Senior Tech. Wayne Edgar (38 years), Environmental Services Support Assistant Sandra Fredrickson (20 years), Maintenance Assistant Superviser Keith Johnson (39 years), and Office Support Specialist Delores Whalen (33 years) will all retire soon.
“They’ll all be missed,” said County Coordinator Craig Oscarson. “They’ve all been great employees.”
County Engineer Mike Hanson, who worked with the retirees, said they helped him feel comfortable and do a better job as the county engineer.
“You’re looking at four individuals the county is going to miss,” Hanson said.
Whalen said she’ll miss working with the close colleagues in the Highway Department.
“I am going to miss them. … It’s my second family,” she said.
Oscarson said the employees can put their jobs behind them and focus on new things.
“It’s time to enjoy the next stage of their life, and hopefully that will last many, many years,” he said.
Edgar said he has six grandchildren to start driving to school every morning. Johnson said he’s shifting to more recreational activities, like fishing.
