Paula Landau woke up May 1 and knew the day was going to be different. For the first time in 35 years, she wasn’t going to work.
She retired April 30 as part-time coordinator of the Shawano Civic Center (a city of Shawano job) and part-time Meals on Wheels coordinator (a Shawano County job).
“I’m hoping now, if it’s nice out, to sit outside and enjoy the mornings with my husband (Steven),” she said. “I just turned 65 and decided it was time to let the young ones take over. We’re ready to travel some more and do things around the house, like take care of our gardens.”
Landau started working for the county 35 years ago at the Meals on Wheels site in Mattoon, then moved over to Birnamwood to manage both operations. From there, it was on to Wittenberg and the title of home visitor for all of Shawano County.
“I really enjoyed that part,” she said. “I went to their homes to do the reassessments (for home-delivered meals clients), and I’d spend a lot of time talking with them. They told me their stories, and in the beginning, I kept a journal of them.”
She would eventually transfer to the civic center and run the home visitor program from there. A decade ago, she took over as civic center coordinator for the city, too, and was promoted to Meals on Wheels coordinator for the county.
Her county duties including coordinating the congregate site’s Meals on Wheels program. For the city, she handled rentals of the civic center, reported maintenance needs and served as secretary for the senior citizens commission.
Her husband retired three years ago, and the two traveled to the eastern and southern portions of the country. Now, they want to travel north and west.
They also own property in Texas and expect to spend their winters there.
“It’s going to be fun to relax,” Landau said. “I’ve met so many wonderful people here. I couldn’t begin to guess how many I’ve met.”
Patti Bray will take over Landau’s county duties, and Lisa Passon will move into the city role.
“It was an honor working with all the people I met,” Landau said. “I will miss them all, but I’m ready for a new journey.”
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
Landau retires from city, county jobs
