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On Friday, Susie Pelzel
worked her last shift as
ward
secretary
at
Sleepy Eye Medical
Center before retiring.
She has been on the job
for the past 18 years,
eight months.
Susie Pelzel retires from SEMC after
18+ years on the job
By Doreen Tyler
On Friday (10/28), after 18 years and eight months on the job,
Susie Pelzel retired from her ward secretary position at the Sleepy
Eye Medical Center.
And on her last shift as ward secretary at the Sleepy Eye Medical
Center, Susie was kept on her toes. Patients, phone calls and
paperwork made for a full workload. “I had no time to clock out
for supper. I worked on paperwork while I ate,” Susie said.
“But that just happens; it’s the nature of hospital work. You never
know what’s going to happen. You just accept whatever comes
in.”
“The biggest change over the years has been the computers,” Susie
said of her job.
As a ward secretary, Susie’s main duty was providing for a
continuity of flow on the nursing floor. Other duties included
taking phone calls and messages, completing necessary
paperwork, maintaining supplies, typing policies and procedures
and helping with patients. “I always enjoyed spending time with
the patients,” Susie said, “especially the elderly.”
Susie has been in the work force since 1964 when she took a job
at First National Bank. Over the years she’s been a mother and
helped her husband, Jeff, at his TV shop. She was employed by
Brown County REA for 13 years before taking the ward secretary
position at the hospital. “I’ve worked long enough,” Susie said
smiling.
“What I’ll miss most about my job are my co-workers,” Susie
added. “I’ll miss the interaction, sharing and learning about their
lives.”
Now that Susie will be living the good life that retirement brings,
she has all sorts of plans for the years ahead. She said she and Jeff
have plans to travel and spend time with their children and
grandchildren. And as for hobbies, “I want to start using my
sewing machine for something other than mending,” Susie said
laughing.
Susie said she’d like to start quilting again and refinishing
furniture. She is also considering volunteer opportunities. Mostly,
she is simply looking forward to enjoying the freedom of a
schedule-free, weekends-free lifestyle. “I already can’t wait to be
able to frost and decorate Christmas cookies with my grandkids
without worrying about my schedule.”
10/30/2011
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