Elaine Weyers retires after 32 years

Elaine Weyers had a great send-off from her coworkers at Howard County Courthouse. After deciding to retire after 32 years, nine months in the Clerk of Court office, word spread throughout the courthouse.

“Someone decided to send out an e-mail. Each person participating received a number. So starting on day 22, I received a gift from that person pertaining to that day. Example: on day 22 (number of working days left) I received 22 pennies with a note telling me how I had helped and influenced this person when she started. How I had been an example in the work area and as a mom to her. So - the 22 pennies were for me to give her ‘a penny for my advice’ for work or personal life each day for 22 days. 

“On day 19 I received a balloon bouquet — 19 balloons, and so it continued each and every day through my final day. I loved them all. Each was very unique to the giver, how I knew them and how long I had known  them. Most came with a tear-jerking note or card.”

Weyers’ first jobs in the office consisted of filing papers in files, filing files away, hand docketing the filings in big ledger books, genealogy research, typing recordings in ledgers and copying recordings in ledgers. 

“We didn’t have computers back then, so this was all handwritten or typed, depending on what kind of filing it was. We handled large ledgers all day, climbed up and down a ladder to retrieve files and put files away.”

Weyers started out in the Clerk of Court office in Cresco. Then the State did away with a position, and she went to New Hampton to work in the Clerk of Court office for a few years. Later she transferred back to Cresco.

She stated most individuals don’t realize the Clerk of  Court office is a State office. “Most people still think we are a county office.”

After over 30 years on the job, you can bet Weyers has seen many changes. “We went from handwritten ledger entries, to typing entries, to computer entries and finally to paperless filings.”

Although she is ready to retire, she is going to miss her job. “I like everything about it — the people in my office, the attorneys, the judges, other employees in the courthouse, police officers, business associates and most everyone who came to the counter was nice. You always have a few who surprise you. But I work with the best in the County.

“I like the job I do — it’s interesting. I’ve learned so much through the years. There is so much that goes on in the county that the general public wouldn’t think about.”

Weyers did come up with just a few things she won’t miss. “I dislike that we actually need a court system in a small, rural Iowa county. That people can’t settle their personal problems themselves, that we have problems such as disrespect, bullying, racial problems, drugs, mental health, etc. 

“I dislike that the State is so short of money that it affects staffing, supplies, etc. in our offices.”

With her last day being April 26, Weyers is looking toward the future.

She laughed, “My first plan is not to set my alarm on the first day I don’t have to go to work!

“I plan on sewing and reading. But most of all, I am going to enjoy spending more time with my daughter, Jenny, and my son, Jae and his family. I’m a grandma now, and that’s the best job I could ever have. 

“I want to visit other family in Oklahoma, Illinois, Minnesota and spend time with friends who I haven’t had time to enjoy doing things with. 

“I also plan on being more active in my church family. I plan on being as busy as I want to be. I am thankful to wake up to each new day God gives me.”

It seems Weyers has it all figured out. She’s put her time in as a civil servant and is ready to enjoy her retirement. May we all be so lucky!