Hats off for the Office Ladies

                                        Early post-college photo. 1981 at Vic and Fred's wedding. 

                                            No wonder my co-workers thought I was a kid!

Whilst listening to a podcast about yet another possibly innocent person (Letters From Sing Sing, first episode) convicted of murder, I heard an advertisement for a podcast featuring strong women. March, it seems, is Women's History Month. It kinda seems like all year should be filled with Women's History, but that's an argument for a different day. 😊

I was cleaning our bathroom as I listened to that podcast. I'd been meaning clean for several days, but waited until I was "in the mood". Podcasts make perfect company for cleaning! I began thinking back about the many strong, smart, talented women I've been privileged to work with during my employment years. 

Co-workers, supervisors, and contractors: 

-at my very first "real" job, as office manager at Gamble Robinson, a grocery wholesaler in Sioux Falls, SD. Nancy, the person who'd been the office manager suffered a stroke at age 33. She was out indefinitely. It was an office of four women, not including me. I didn't have the first idea about how to be an office manager I was fortunate that Karen was the go-to for training. She was understandably a bit pissy when they brought a no-nothing college girl in to be the top office dog. Nancy was a formidable wife, mother, and great worker. It took me a while, but I won Karen and the crew over by treating them with respect.  When I eventually left the Sioux Falls Office, Karen took over as Office Manager. Thanks, Karen!

-From Sioux Falls, I moved up (down) to the Omaha Branch of Gamble Robinson, located in the Old Market. There I met three totally different strong women. Netta was a large passionate Italian mother/wife - picture puffy black hair and lots of makeup. Lila was a chainsmoking lesbian - a bit cranky until I pierced her crabby defenses. She called me "Kid".  And Pat, the personal secretary to the division chief. Pat was a Creston native, a stately older woman (probably all of 55 😏). Those three taught me a great deal. You are not forgotten, ladies!

-When Paul and I were married in 1982, women from both of my former offices attended. The friendship was strong! Paul and I moved to Osage for his job. I eventually landed a local job at Fox River Mills - a sock and glove manufacturer in town. My experience using an IBM System 36 computer teamed me up with Karla, the original computer department of one. The two of us were charged with managing data and entering orders by hand. Karla - who still works there - taught me a lot. There were lots of great female co-workers - so good at their jobs at the awesome Fox River. 

-When we moved to Creston in 1986, I finally landed a job at First National Bank in bookkeeping in March of 1987. There I learned how to pronounce each strange family name while stuffing statements into envelopes, and preparing them for mailing. (Ripperger is pronounced Reebarger) Sandy, Cathy, and Pam were great coworkers. Eventually, I was promoted to loan clerk and had my own little cubby-hole desk upstairs. There I got to better know Sharon - the marketing director and Lamona, the only female loan officer. Syd and Barb were in customer service out front - helping people with account needs. Artie was the chief teller with a dedicated team around her. Eventually, a new girl was hired fresh out of college. Julie is now the bank president! The bank was full of strong excellent women. 

-My next job in an office/co-worker setting was in the mid-1990s at Gits Manufacturing where I was a product manager. This was the most challenging job of my career. Purchasing and manufacturing lead times (how long it took to procure or manufacture) were over a year at times. Jeanie and Cynthia helped train (and counsel) me through the ups and downs. We had some good times in a little office amid each manufacturing process. Twins Tracy and Toni were also fun to work with. We're all still Facebook pals.  

-After two grueling years at GITS, I saw an advertisement in the local paper - looking to hire a Recycling Educator for three counties. This is easily my favorite ever job. At my first trash conference I met three amazing women - Susan, Barb and Pam were peers doing similar jobs. We met periodically to share resources and support. They meant the world to me. 

I was an office of one - located in Creston's Restored Depot home of City Offices and the city congregate mealsite. Judy was the Creston City Clerk - and the brains of the operation. My grant-funded was managed and paid for by the county - so several times a week I hiked a couple of blocks over to the Union County Auditor's office. There I reunited with Sandy (former bank pal) who was now the elected Auditor. Her team was great to work with - Angie and Joanie. I also got to know the treasurer, Linda, and the recorder, Paula with their staffs. Friendly and top-notch! 

                                                           Jen and Becky on a tour

-After the grant ran out, I was promoted to Landfill/Recycling manager. My office moved to the Union County Landfill where I worked with dedicated scale operators - all women. Marie, Carolyn, and Beth all were wonderful with customers, so kind and efficient. There was one woman I won't name who the contractor fired after she threatened me. She didn't like the new office with my oversite and told me she had a gun and knew how to use it. Scary! Good thing, Christine, a young female environmental consultant attended monthly board meetings and partnered with me in managing the joint! 

-Nealy ten years later, I was hired for the career job I'd been dreaming of at the Department of Natural Resources. By then I was age 50, no longer a "kid". At DNR I met and appreciated so many excellent female co-workers. Traveling together for program audits and visits was a highlight. Becky, Angie, Amy, and my supervisor Jen were the women I worked with the most.  I must not forget about fab external program partners - Shelly, Mary, and Kathleen. They are all excellent and dedicated public servants. I miss them but enjoy following their family escapades on social media. 

I've likely forgotten to name some of the office women I was blessed to work with. And there are a few that, though they didn't threaten me with a gun, weren't my favorites. I'm sure I make that list for some. Some people - men and women - live for the drama. It's not my thing.  

What I looked like at the end of my work days

While writing this blog I was thinking of the new normal. Many people no longer work in an office setting. I loved the one day a week I was able to telework when employed by the State of Iowa. But I never considered doing that more than 2 days a week. I'm not sure how well I'd get to know co-workers without frequent in-person contact. I believe employers need to find ways to build teams and for strong employees to mentor others. It's a changing work world - they'll figure it out! Because there are so many strong, smart women in charge. 

Is My Parachute Open?

When I prepared to graduate from Iowa State University, my mother was concerned I wasn't ready for the real world. She got me a copy of the world's most popular job-hunting book, "What Color is Your Parachute" to help me along. Hint, hint kid - JOB - get one! 

I'd enjoyed the heck out of my college years, and had applied for jobs during the spring of my senior year.  Come May, graduation was looming and no offers had come through. My parents and I were starting to panic. Visions of living in the basement at 202 Crombie in Atlantic, Iowa. Gulp!

Fear not, dear readers. In the last month of school, not one but two offers came through. Sighs of relief from all parties. I wasn't able to use that book, grabbing up the offer that made the most sense and $. I was the Office Manager at Gamble Robinson, a grocery wholesaler in Sioux Falls, S.D., making a whopping $12,500.

The "Parachute" book description states it is "a self-inventory that helps the reader design a career, and life around key passions, transferable skills, traits and more." Due to necessity - following Paul's career, and parenthood, I didn't take time to do that self-inventory until I was in my late 30's. I kept my eyes peeled for opportunities - while not quite sure what my passion was. I'm ever thankful for that Creston News Advertiser Employment section ad - looking for a Recycling Education Coordinator. Bing! It was 1997. My parachute was finally open! I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in the waste reduction and recycling career field in Iowa for the past 22 years.

Metro Waste Authority's new 7 Acre wetland at their landfill - I love this stuff! 

As retirement from the Department of Natural Resources looms (last day Jan. 2 but mostly vacation after December 20), I must admit I'm anxious. I've been a worker/employee for 40 years. Who will I be once I retire? Is my parachute open?

When our son Jud was a little guy, he didn't do transitions well. He'd go play at a friend's and when it was time to go home - yikes, a tantrum! I would drag him kicking and screaming out the door, yelling "thanks" to the host.

I'm not big on goodbyes and transitions either. No worries about a tantrum though.  If I had my way, I'd prefer to slink out like normal on that last day...tears in my eyes, no doubt. Then Paul and I will see what's next. Together.   

Career stories continued

At right - me in a lovely Hawaiian shirt, Robyn (Robbie Dob), my college roomie Vic and Chris, the readhead in Robyn's apartment.


As my little buddy roomie (during the week I live in Waukee with a friend - Joan, and her niece Kristina who I have known since she was a tot) Krissy enjoys her first "real" job, it has caused me to take a walk down memory lane about the various jobs I've had in my long work career.


A few days ago I described my first job in Sioux Falls, SD at a grocery wholesaler and the interesting boss, Kermet. What an education! Only later did I think about the mechanic who worked on the delivery trucks. His name was Lawrence and he liked to take a nip or two while he worked. I couldn't complain though - he helped advise me on care and maintenance of my 1977 Chevy Monza 4 speed. So what if he liked his liquor?


After I had worked in Sioux Falls for eight months, I was approached by the manager (by then it was Larry because Kermet's bizarre behavior caused the corporate office to put him out to pasture) to see if I was interested in moving to Omaha, Nebraska. Would I? In a heartbeat! It just so happened that my boyfriend of a couple years had taken a job in Oakland, IA - some 20 miles from Omaha. And my baby sis, Betso attended Creighton University in Omaha. Ah fate and and destiny!

I found a great apartment out near Boy's Town with Cathedral ceilings that was bright and airy. I visited the famed Nebraska Furniture Mart and purchased a couch, bed, and butcher block kitchen table with chairs. On moving day, there was a mix up and it took Betsy's fierce call to the Mart to get my furniture delivered. I guess I was still a non-confident wimp at that point.

Once I moved to Omaha, I was overjoyed to find out that two of my Atlantic friends were also moving to the Big O. Robyn (of Robbie Dob fame) and Chris (Ginger's daughter). Rob was moving to town with her boyfriend Glenn, and Chris was rooming with a college friend Jodi, who was attending Creighton nursing school. What fun! We got together nearly every week to cook a meal. On Fridays after work we liked to meet at the Rusty Scupper. We attended aerobics together. It was a fun time in my life.

Oh yeah...the job. The Omaha branch of Gamble Robinson was in the Old Market (it's now a parking lot). It was a very old building that was below street level - you parked and walked down metal steps to the warehouse. Not impressive looking at all. Downright dumpy in fact. But the location was great - the Old Market is one of my favorite places in the world!

The branch manager in Omaha was Ron Nearman, a very nice guy. No weapons in his desk! The rest of the staff was a lesson in diversity for me! Executive Secretary Pat - the 50ish spinster with a boyfriend. Gruff, crusty exterior. Creston, IA native. Lila - lesbian bookkeeper, quirky and nice once she learned to trust me, Nedda - 300 pound Italian woman, married, one child - tender heart, and the Unwed mother - her name escapes me. Hooked up with a truck driver who delivered to our company long enough to get preggers.

Then there were the salesmen: Pete, a kindly gentleman who traveled in SW Iowa, Ed a nice guy who did the Council Bluffs area, Dan, a groovy divorcee and Lester "Red" Eymann - the most homely man you've ever seen who was lewd and crude and you had to love him! In today's world Red would be a walking sexual harassment poster boy!

Last but not least was Jackson - the lumper. Lumpers were not employed by GR, but they were necessary! They hung around to help unload semis as they arrived, and were paid in cash by the truck drivers. Jackson was a large black man with a friendly personality. He liked to gamble and he liked to drink. When he was flush, he would head to Sioux City to the dog track.

Out in the warehouse there were lots of good guys. They taught me things about bananas - they were put in special rooms to ripen them with gas. Other refrigerated rooms were damp and some were dry. There was a crew of mainly African American women who prepared the chopped veggies we delivered to restaurants.

My desk in Omaha was an old wooden one - I had to to pull it out in the morning and push it back in each night. I worked long hours, and had to go in each Saturday for some report - at least for an hour or so. Those were the days of early IBM mainframes so I learned to run the computer with its tiny little LED screen. I had to "Balance" the books each month, which was a huge challenge. Every New Year's Eve I had to work to run year end reports. It was a tough job! I was there from March 1981 until February 1984.

They must have liked me, because when Paul and I moved (we were married in 1982) to Osage, IA they created a job for me, traveling up to Wisconsin to do training in small branches up there. I do love my Snoboy (Gamble Robinson's brand) stuff! I found an old Snoboy wood box in an Atlantic antique store and a Snoboy cranberry ad in Valley Junction. Maybe first jobs aren't so bad after all...