Just shy of 40 years of employment with the City of Estherville, Marie Whitacre Park will be retiring from her City Deputy Clerk position on Friday, Jan. 27, 2012.
She is the daughter of the late Charles and Ethel Whitacre and graduated from Estherville High School in 1970. It was at this time Park chose to spend time in Texas with her aunt and uncle, Mary and the late Dale Ross, formerly of Estherville. Upon her return to Estherville, Park made the ultimate decision to enroll at Iowa Lakes Community College in the Clerical Training Program.
"My first job with the city was as secretary to the Parks & Recreation Director and City Engineer.
Park didn't have the luxury of submitting a job application for this position.
"I didn't really apply for the job. While I was a student at Iowa Lakes, one of the classes was 'Office Practice.'" One could say that this was the key that opened the door for her future employment with the City of Estherville.
Because of selection by the college instructor, Park and three other students were placed at City Hall for the required practice. "I was lucky enough to be one of them."
The class began in January 1972 and Park's practicum at City Hall commenced in March of that year.
It was three months later when Park's career path took hold as her luck continued to shine.
"In May, Bill Hillburn, Environmental Development Director for the city, hired me to stay on as a secretary," said Park. "Steve Woodley started to work for the City at the same time. Not long after several City employees and the City Manager vacated their positions. Steve was named the new city administrator and was stuck with me as we worked together for 37 years. All kidding aside, his family and mine have developed a special friendship during this time."
In this span of time, Park had a few personal highlights to share that will continue to be favored memories because it is apparent her "whole life happened during my time in City Hall."
She continued, "In 1975, I met Bob Park whom I marred in 1979. Bob came to work for the City's Street Department in 1978. In 1980, Connie Hanson (whom I worked with for 37 years) and I were blessed with our first children within 1 months of each other. We filled in for each other while the other was on maternity leave."
Another milestone memory was when the City Council made the decision to relocate the administrative offices and the utility offices to the first floor of the Gardston Building. This monumental transition occurred in 1981. Previously, the offices were located in the brick structure on South 7th Street that now houses the administrative offices for Iowa Lakes Community College.
In 1982, the Parks were blessed with their second son. While she has a wonderful family including her children and all of the Park and Whitacre relatives, she is quick to add, "I consider my fellow city employees, past and present, an integral part of my family. You just cannot spend so many years with such wonderful individuals and not consider them to be a part of the family. They have been there for me in the good times and especially the low times too. I truly do love all of them and will miss seeing them every day."
The feeling is mutual with her co-workers!
In doing mental reminiscing of her employment for the City, Park stated with conviction that "one of the best parts of being a municipal employee would be meeting new people every day. The daily routine is not boring whatsoever. There is always something new to experience, to enjoy and to learn."
She remembers some of the technological advancements that changed the manner in which she did her job. Some were stressful at first as when learning anything new but Park soon realized that any change that was introduced made the workload a little easier to tackle.
"Going from the tedious task of typing stencils for multiple copies to the welcomed addition of a copy machine and, of course, the WONDERFUL computer was awesome! I do not know how we ever got work done without the computer," she commented.
Park expressed her sincere gratitude to the City for her many years of employment and believes she is a better individual because of the experience.
"My life is definitely richer because of all the wonderful people I have worked with and come into contact with over the course of these past 39 years."
But don't think for one second that Park's retirement will be a celebration leading to the rocking chair and knitting needles! This ambitious Estherville native has her next life career in place.
Being duly licensed and accredited as a real estate agent, Park has joined the team at Blum & Leonard.
"I want to thank my good friend Joan for talking me into going to college, my Iowa Lakes Community College teacher for placing me at City Hall for my office practice class, and Bill Hilburn for hiring me. God brought all of these people into my life and I am forever grateful to Him!"
From Marie Park's co-workers:
"Marie's sunny disposition and welcoming smile have been staples of the Estherville City offices for almost 40 years and will be greatly missed. She is always ready to help, whether a customer or a co-worker, and does so in a cheerful, gracious manner as though helping you was the only thing she had to do at that moment. Her dedication to the City was proven every day as she carried out the necessary tasks with meticulous care and attention to detail. While business at the City offices will go on, there will be a void left by Marie's retirement, for customers and staff alike."
Penny Clayton, City Administrator.
"Another long-tenured employee departing, almost 40 years of experience. Marie is a unique individual. She always seems to be up. My association with her has been a failure. I have attempted to instill the fact work is not supposed to be fun or enjoyable. Marie has refused to accept this premise and laughs. She has become famous for her one-liners. Frequently she has referred to me in an extremely unflattering manner which is supported by witnessed written documentation. Neither the one-liners nor her references to me are suitable for publication.
"Her people person talents will be an asset in her new venture. My congratulations to Ida on her resignation."
Vaughn Brua, Estherville City Clerk/Financial Director
"The trait I admire most about Marie is her cordial personality. Every day she came to work with a smile on her face and made the whole office more pleasant with her presence. Her customer relations skills are excellent.
"Marie was my primary secretary throughout my career with the city. She deserves special recognition for that role since I was not the easiest person to work for (perfectionist & demanding come to mind).
"We have an unusual yet special relationship. Having the same secretary for 37 years is like having two wives one at home and one at city hall. The way we communicated with each other surprised new employees that were not aware of our history. She never really bought into my philosophy that 'I'm not always right, but I'm never wrong.'
"As I think about it, I probably needed two strong-willed women to keep me in line.
"I appreciate her good work and tolerance for so many years all with a smile on her face."
Steve Woodley, former City Administrator
"I am going to miss Marie so much. We have worked together for over 38 years and have been through life's joys and sorrows the births of our children, the deaths, weddings, graduations and whatever else life and work have thrown at us. Marie and I have seen the evolution from typewriters and that awful carbon paper to today's electronic age. We have worked together under several mayors, council members, city clerks and city administrators. I am going to miss Marie's cheerful smile and greetings as I walk by her desk 'See you tomorrow, See you Monday, Have a good lunch.' She always has a good disposition and positive outlook. May retirement bring her many happy experiences. You deserve it, Marie!"
Peggy Alig
"Marie has always bee an upbeat personality in the office. Seems like I never saw her without a smile on her face and something positive to say. I was glad to be able to work closer with her this last year. I was also glad to help her along on her new career with her first listing and sale. I wish her all the best she deserves it."
Mitch Eveleth
"Marie who? Oh her, good riddance! She is such a trouble maker and always sleeping on the job. No really Ida YOU WILL BE MISSED. You always have a smile on your face and are full of JOY. I will miss you."
Dennis Lukins
"I have worked with Marie for nine years and have enjoyed every minute. She has a good sense of humor and is always smiling. Sometimes her smile makes you wonder what she is up to! Seriously, Marie has been a good co-worker and friend and will be greatly missed. I wish her luck in her new career of real estate and all her new adventures."
Julie Miller
"Having just started working for the City in September, I didn't have the opportunity to work with Marie as much as everyone else. One thing that does come to mind when I think of her is how she greeted me with a hug on my first day of work. Her welcoming gesture made me feel at ease right away. She is one of the happiest, most sincere, caring people I have ever met. She has a great sense of humor and a laugh that is contagious! She will be greatly missed around here!"
Sara Montandon
"Marie always brings a sense of happiness to the office every day. Being a hard worker and her enjoyment for her job makes Marie a great co-worker. Her smile, laughter and love for life are infectious. Marie will be dearly missed at City Hall and I wish her the best with retirement."
Lisa Mustard
"Marie is one of those memorable co-workers dependable, loyal, caring and ready to lend a hand. She was fun to work with and I will always remember her smile, charming personality and humor."
Pete Redinius, former city employee
"When I first met Marie back in the late 1970s, I wasn't sure what to think about her. How could any one be so consistently happy? And always look at the bright side of any situation? And smile at a customer, even when they treated her badly? Thirty-three years later, I realize that Marie is still that same person. Same cheerfulness, same positive outlook, and same easy smile. The City of Estherville's loss will be Blum & Leonard Real Estate's gain."
Dave Spurgin
"Marie is so endearing! I remember coming to City Hall as a new resident and seeing that dazzling trademark smile of hers and it became synonymous with the friendliness at City Hall. During those years I reported the news, her assistance in getting immediate appointments put the story in the newspaper faster! It's been a pleasure these last two years to work with Marie at City Hall; she truly is a font of municipal information. Best of luck on your new Realtor career!"
Mary Ann Menendez
