The new year will bring about some big changes for long-time Eagle Grove resident, Curt Nesvold. December 31, 2020 will be his last day as an employee of the Eagle Grove waste water treatment plant. January 1, 2021, will be his first day as a retired man who is ready to start traveling and enjoying warmer weather locations.
Nesvold is originally from Otho, IA. When he married his wife, Patricia, they made their home in Arizona for a short while before she missed Eagle Grove and wanted to move back home. Upon their arrival, Nesvold went to work for Sadler Construction. A year later, Mayor Myron Amdahl called him and asked if he would be interested in a position with the City of Eagle Grove at the waste water plant. Nesvold accepted, and has never regretted his decision.
“I’ve had great people to work with all these years,” Nesvold pointed out.
He worked under Bill Baker for the first 20 years before being named the plant supervisor himself. He held that position for 21 years before deciding he didn’t want that much stress and responsibility anymore and stepped down, giving the title to Nate Brockman.
“I was tickled to death when Nate came and took over,” admitted Nesvold.
As you would imagine, when someone has worked with the same employer for nearly half a century, Nesvold has seen many changes and improvements in the field. The biggest, for him, was when they built and moved into the new plant located on the south edge of town.
“The old plant really had no technology to speak of…this plant is almost all technology,” he explained. “Everything is hooked up to computers…and we now have all kind of alarms.”
The new plant is now two years old and Nesvold has adjusted to the new age of the job, but he admitted it pushed him outside of his comfort zone. He even joked a little that as much as people email now days, he still does not. In fact, he said he has only sent one email ever, and that was for a DNR report.
Throughout his more than four decades on the job, the one thing that stands out the most to Nesvold were the times heavy rains caused flooding in Eagle Grove. He recalls three different times when the (old) plant was under water. He’s grateful the new plant hasn’t seen such problems saying it has been able to handle just about everything that has been thrown at it as far as rain goes.
“I’ve always enjoyed the job,” said Nesvold.
However, there is one misconception he would like to clear up about the waste water treatment plant before he retires. Contrary to what many people believe, very seldom does the plant ever stink.
While Nesvold is excited for retirement, he also knows it’s going to be a big change.
“I will miss just getting up and going to work. I enjoy work,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with nine city administrators and have always gotten along with all the City employees…plus, I’ve only been out of a job for three days since I’ve turned 18.”
It might take him a couple of weeks to adjust to his new job title of retiree, but he and Patricia already have some plans in place that should help him settle in rather quickly.
“I told Patricia when our kids graduated we would move…but the kids graduated a long time ago,” Nesvold said with a laugh.
While they’re not moving away, they will be on the move in the new year.
“Patricia and I are getting older and now is the time to get away and do things together,” he said.
For starters, they plan on going to see their daughter in New Mexico.
“I’m not the type of person to sit still,” he said with a big smile.
When they are not traveling, Nesvold plans to spend more time on his hobby and hopefully turn it into a little extra cash. He enjoys making stained glass windows, window etching, and even window repair.
“I’ll probably pick up a part-time job here and there, too,” he said.
