After almost 35 years of service, the city of Eagle Grove's veteran finance officer Susan Maier has retired. At her retirement party, held at B&S Station, a packed house wished her well.
"You throw a party, and you worry no one will come, and then everyone came," Maier said. "I'm surprised I didn't cry."
Maier, who Grew up in Emmetsburg, went to work for the city in 1988. How did she come to be Eagle Grove's Finance Officer? "Ironically," Maier said, "I worked as a State Auditor, and I did an audit of Eagle Grove." Afterward, Maier said, Jeff Pederson (who was the City Administrator at the time) recruited her.
"I've worked for seven different City Administrators," Maier said, "and what I'm most thankful for is that in that time I've only worked with three Deputy Clerks. The first was Regina Madison, bless her heart. She passed away about a year ago. And Connie Tofteberg, who still lives in Eagle Grove when she's not wintering in Florida. And until now, Araceli Day. They are just the most wonderful ladies! We got along so well!"
Current City Administrator Bryce Davis praised Maier's skill in her job. "Susan has served the city of Eagle Grove in the finance officer position and has been The keeper of the financials through many projects," Davis said. "Her expertise in accounting and Iowa code were instrumental in them all. She'll be missed, but thankfully she's still in the community and available as a resource. And I wish her well in retirement."
"It's got to be a good feeling after 34 years of good service," said Mayor Sandra McGrath. "Cheers to her on the next phase of her adventure!"
Several of Maier's coworkers also expressed their envy over her retirement – in a tongue in cheek manner, of course.
Of course Maier's family was present as well, including her husband Jerry, their sons Brandon and Brett, and Sue's mother, Jane Heykes. "I'm very proud of her, of course," said Heykes. "She certainly enjoyed eagle grove, and has made many friends."
Maier said she is looking forward to doing a little gardening and traveling, and is planning to focus more on her crafting.
