Several longtime school employees retire

(Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part series on retirees in Creston Community Schools. A separate story will be published on retiring superintendent Steve McDermott.)

Several longtime staff members are retiring this year from the Creston Community School District.

They will be honored along with those reaching milestones in years of service at a public recognition program at 2 p.m. Friday in the Creston Community High School auditorium, followed by a reception in the commons.

Profiles of those not featured in Tuesday’s first installment follow below.

JOANNE BUCKLIN, high school principal’s secretary (21 years).

Age: 66.

Originally from: Dunkerton

Current position: High school secretary.

Past positions in Creston schools: Paraprofessional for two years before becoming high school secretary.

Other school districts worked: Secretary at Orient-Macksburg one year; Southern Iowa Council of Governments for 2 1/2 years; secretary at St. Malachy School for 10 years; worked at a bank in Independence for four years.

Graduate of: Dunkerton High School.

Favorite part of work: The satisfaction of knowing that I provided a service, performed a task, anticipated the needs of our administration, faculty, staff and students, superintendent’s office or the public to help coordinate or accommodate a situation, and that I have performed the duties I have been assigned.

A memorable experience at Creston: Working with Mr. (Curt) Olson was an experience!

Plans after retirement: More time with family, a bit of traveling, gardening and flower beds, leisure lunches, quilting, reading books and coffee on the front porch.

DANETTE LESAN, middle school principal’s secretary (21 years).

Age: 61.

Originally from: Born in Lenox, moved to Creston at age 2.

Current position: Middle school principal’s secretary.

Past positions in Creston schools: Started as secretary at Lincoln Elementary School and continued working in the elementary level when the district opened the new building in 2005 before later moving to the middle school position.

Graduate of: Creston High School.

Favorite part of work: Working with the staff here at Creston Community Schools and seeing the students grow up over the school years and become young adults with promising futures.

A memorable experience at Creston: The community came together in 2005 to help move our smaller neighborhood schools into our new Elementary/Middle School building. Also, when the tornado hit in April 2012 in Creston, the community worked together to clean up afterward.

Plans after retirement: Spend more time with my family, help with my granddaughter when needed and hopefully do some traveling with my husband.

KIM ROMESBURG, middle school ISS, Success coordinator (23 years).

Age: 60

Originally from: Great Bend, Kansas.

Current position: In-school suspension, success coordinator, study hall monitor, detentions, office substitute.

Other school districts worked: Laredo R-VII, Laredo, Missouri; Spickard R-II, Spickard, Missouri; Livingston Co. R-III, Chula, Missouri; Tri-County R-VII, Jamesport, Missouri; started at an adult handicap school in Trenton, Missouri.

Graduate of: Creston High School class of 1976; Southwestern Community College in 1978; Northwest Missouri State University in 1980.

Favorite part of work: Students and learning about their backgrounds and families.

A memorable experience at Creston: When a fellow teacher was bitten by a student when she reached down to get his pencil. When I had an accident and shattered both shoulders and broke both arms. Met lots of great people in my recovery time. Some were former students that really make a difference in the lives of others around them.

Plans after retirement: Spend time with grandkids and quality time with husband.

SUE ADAMS, middle school library aide (33 years).

Age: 70

Originally from: Creston.

Current position: Library paraprofessional for elementary and middle school.

Past positions in Creston schools: Special education paraprofessional.

Graduate of: Creston High School, Southwestern Community College, University of Iowa.

Favorite part of work: Working with students and faculty.

A memorable experience at Creston: The move to the new building and moving five libraries into one. A monumental job!

Plans after retirement: I plan to do some traveling.

LYNNE MCINTOSH, high school Experience Based Career Education (29 years).

Age: 61.

Originally from: Creston.

Current position: Experienced Based Career Education (EBCE) job coordinator.

Past positions in Creston schools: Paraprofessional and Special Olympics coach.

Graduate of: Creston High School.

Favorite part of work: Taking students into the community for on-the-job work experience and watching their confidence grow.

A memorable experience at Creston: I was asked to take a group of high school students to Ames for Special Olympics and meeting with Eunice Kennedy Shriver, her son Tim Shriver and Tom Arnold.

Plans after retirement: Spend time with my family and work at a part-time job.

PAM BLAKELSEY, central office bookkeeping (13 years).

Age: 62.

Originally from: Creston.

Current position: Central office accounts payable.

Graduate of: Creston High School.

Favorite part of work: Seeing the kids at the ECC and working with the staff of the district.

Plans after retirement: Travel, relax and enjoy my granddaughters.

LILA JEAN KLECKNER, ECC custodian (14 years).

Age: 62

Originally from: Charlotte

Current position: Full-time custodian at the Early Childhood Center and substitute bus driver.

Past positions in Creston schools: One year part-time custodian at the high school; six years full-time custodian at the Elementary/Middle School; seven years full-time custodian at the ECC.

Favorite part of work: Besides the 20th of each month, I would have to say my co-workers. Some have become closer than family.

A memorable experience at Creston: The kids know that after lunch the tables are picked up to clean the lunch room. Tanner told me that he is going to become a magician and put a spell on the tables to that they could be picked up by magic instead of me picking them up every day.

Plans after retirement: I am going to STOP living at work and start working at a living! Read a book or two. Take better care of my health. See a play. Take some small trips. Just breathe!

ALAN DOBBS, high school special ed paraprofessional (8 years).

(Information not available at press time.)