Howey ends a long Post Office career

HARTINGTON — The Hartington Post Office will be without a familiar face next month.

Cindy Howey will say goodbye to her long-time co-workers and customers this week as she heads into retirement.

Her last day will be Sept. 30.

Howey has worked for four different postmasters during her career here.

“I saw a lot of good coworkers come and go,’’ she said. “Everyone I worked with had a good work ethic.’

Retirement will open a whole new world to her.

“I have always wanted to have Saturdays off. Now I can do that,’’ she said.

Her husband, Gary, has already retired. She is looking forward to being able to do more activities with him.

The Howeys previously worked side by side selling sporting goods in downtown Hartington.

Howey took a bit of a winding road into a Post Office career.

She attended Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) school at Northeast Technical Community College. She then worked as a nurse for several years.

She also worked as director of nursing at Parkview Haven.

She started at the post office in 1994.

“My title was part time flex clerk,’’ she said. “I started at Pierce and trained as a clerk. But in Pierce, I also had to do city delivery routes. I worked there four years before transferring. I was also working when needed at Laurel, Crofton and other offices. I sometimes left for work before the snow plows.’’

She said she’s enjoyed the people the most.

“The work is hard work, but you get to see and know different customers,’’ she said.

Howey has always had a talent for working with people. Sje also worked as a home health care nurse for 35 years and served as an emergency medical technician (EMT).

The Hartington post office routine was different. She would help carriers prepare for five different routes before getting the town’s mail into the office boxes.

“The virus has brought more cleaning duties to the post office,’’ she said. “l remember also when we read the addresses before the automated machine presorted letters as it does now. It’s incredible how technology has advanced.’’

She said like the uncertain times now with the virus precautions, she remembers other scares affecting the mail such as the Unibomber and Anthrax threats.

“There have been too many scares to think about,’’ she said.

Long hours have always been a part of her life. She often worked at least six days a week, and sometimes seven.

“I am looking forward to having Saturdays off. I have missed a lot of weddings. I plan to make it to some of the future ones. My whole life I did sewing for other people. I did alterations for The Globe. Now I am going to sew for Cindy and go to grandbaby ball games,’’ she said, smiling.

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