LeeAnn Schafer may not have been the face of the Mower County Attorney’s Office, but her boss called her its heart.

County Attorney Kristen Nelsen described her office as a family, adding Schafer has been “the heart of that family.”

“This is somebody who everyday has touched somebody’s life and has truly made a difference, and we’re going to miss her,” Nelsen said.

Schafer, the legal assistant at the Mower County Attorney’s office, retired on Friday, March 24, after 32 years of working for Mower County.

Schafer, who started with the County as a 911 dispatcher, had been with the Mower County Attorney’s office for about 20 years.

“I’m going to miss seeing my co-workers,” Schafer said. “They’re a really nice group of people to work with.”

“The 911 calls could be tense and nerve-racking at times,” she recalled of her days working dispatch. “Working with the officers was great. They have a good sense of humor.”

What does Schafer plan to do with her retirement?

“I’m going to exercise a lot and babysit my grandson once he’s born,” she said.

She also plans to take accordion lessons with her daughter.

“My father was an accordion player and I got his accordion when he passed away,” she said.

Corrections Director Steve King described Schafer as a point-person for people in his office.

“She’s going to be missed very much,” King said.

—Jason Schoonover contributed to this report.