Lister Retires After 45 Years In Extension Office

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.


Merdena Lister said she expects to find a whole new way of life in the new year - retired life.

Lister has worked in the Kosciusko County Purdue Agricultural Extension office for almost 45 years. She is retiring today.

"Time really has gone fast," Lister said Tuesday after county officials awarded her a certificate of appreciation for her years of service.

Lister said, when she began her job in the early 1960s, she didn't expect that she would still be working there 45 years later. "I had no idea I would stay this long," she said.

Lister began as the 4-H secretary and was later promoted to office manager.

She said she stayed at the extension office because she liked the variety she found in her work there. "Every day is different," she said. "I think that appeals to me more than anything."

Lister said after she retires, she plans to spend more time pursuing her hobbies, including knitting and crocheting. She also plans to find opportunities to volunteer. "I want my freedom to pick and choose what I want to do and what I don't," she said. "I'm looking forward to that."

Lister also said she will enjoy spending more time with her husband, Don, who retired five years ago from Little Crow Foods.

Lister said she'll miss the people she works with and the people she meets through work. She said, more than anything, the people in her office and the ones she interacted with through work over the years have made her career a positive experience. "It's been enjoyable," she said.[[In-content Ad]]

Merdena Lister said she expects to find a whole new way of life in the new year - retired life.

Lister has worked in the Kosciusko County Purdue Agricultural Extension office for almost 45 years. She is retiring today.

"Time really has gone fast," Lister said Tuesday after county officials awarded her a certificate of appreciation for her years of service.

Lister said, when she began her job in the early 1960s, she didn't expect that she would still be working there 45 years later. "I had no idea I would stay this long," she said.

Lister began as the 4-H secretary and was later promoted to office manager.

She said she stayed at the extension office because she liked the variety she found in her work there. "Every day is different," she said. "I think that appeals to me more than anything."

Lister said after she retires, she plans to spend more time pursuing her hobbies, including knitting and crocheting. She also plans to find opportunities to volunteer. "I want my freedom to pick and choose what I want to do and what I don't," she said. "I'm looking forward to that."

Lister also said she will enjoy spending more time with her husband, Don, who retired five years ago from Little Crow Foods.

Lister said she'll miss the people she works with and the people she meets through work. She said, more than anything, the people in her office and the ones she interacted with through work over the years have made her career a positive experience. "It's been enjoyable," she said.[[In-content Ad]]
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