Q. What are your thoughts as you leave office?

A. I have mixed feelings about retirement I am ready to try new adventures, but it will be a major change after working for 41 years and always having a schedule.

Q. Are there any current issues or projects you wish you could have been a part of in the future?

A. The only unfinished project is the continued conversion of the microfilm images to digital images and going to electronic (paperless) recording of documents.

Q. Why did you first run for Office? Did you think you would serve this long?

A. The former recorder, Charles Enger, was retiring and he encouraged me to run for office based on my experience in the office. At the time I thought I would serve two terms and retire, but it ended up being three terms of office.

Q. How has the community changed since you first took office?

A. Cultural diversification was the biggest change for the community. Main Street had a retail store in every building. The Malls were developed and the face of Main Street changed with the closing of most stores.

Q. What are some memories of your time serving the county?

A. All the changes in technology and personnel. When I started all county offices were housed in the Court house building in downtown Austin. I have always enjoyed working with all my coworkers and have developed long lasting friendships. Helping the public has also been very satisfying and rewarding.

Q. What is your proudest achievement looking back over your years of service?

A. Being elected as Mower County Recorder by the residents of Mower County and being able to serve the public for over 41 years.

Q. What is the most difficult project or obstacle you encountered?

A. The change over from doing everything manually to new technology and the computer era of having everything available instantly. Prior to the computer everything was hand written and images were microfilmed.

Q. If you could go back and do anything differently, would you? What would it be:

A. I don’t think I would have changed how things were done in the office but I would have liked to go back to school to learn more about computers and get a degree in business.

Q. What do you plan to do now that you’re no longer serving the community as an elected official?

A. I hope to travel more; I do have a trip planned to Costa Rica. I am also hoping to give back to the community by doing some volunteer work in the near future.

Q. What is something interesting the voters don’t know about you?

A. I enjoy quilting. I belong to a quilt club meeting once a month and over the years have made several quilts for special occasions and for the births of my grandchildren.