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Walks of Life

Golden employees

3/6/2024

The vision of what life is like “after retirement” is as unique as each individual. For some, that vision focuses on leisure: traveling to warm beaches, afternoons spent reading, extra rounds of golf, more time for hobbies, friends and families. For others, however, employment continues to be an important aspect of their lives. From those who continue full-time careers to those who put in a few hours to keep busy, work can be a key part of life after retirement age.


Jim Forbes

Still going strong

Jim Forbes is no stranger to hard work. He spent his career building bridges — after first working as a tow truck driver and pouring basements in both Iowa and Wisconsin. He is also no stranger to loss, having lost his wife and two children. It’s partially because of those losses that he continues to be as active as he can, keeping his mind and body busy with different jobs after his retirement. Now, the 87-year-old is putting in nearly 50 hours a week at Git ‘N Go.

He did have some health issues that led to his being hospitalized last summer and even being told he probably wouldn’t walk again. But he does, though he uses a walker to help him. 

“I figured they’d let me go, but they said, no, I know too damn much,” he laughs. “The doctors say don’t retire and quit moving because you’re too active. Your body will shut down. Stay active and keep going. That’s what I plan to do as long as I keep my health.” 

Source: Johnston Living, February 2024; by Ashley Rullestad

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Barbara Kingery Shultz

Retirement is not for her

Barbara Kingery Shultz saw retirement age come and go — but she kept on working. In fact, she turned 77 in February and is still employed by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Barbara has been a newspaper deliverer, waitress/carhop, Avon sales representative, clerk, nursing assistant at the VA hospital, EMT, nanny, instructor, radio station account executive, central dispatcher for a hospital, office manager, para legal, co-owner of a lawn and snow removal business, NAMI SCIA program coordinator and a COVID/Project Recovery Iowa counselor. 

“My best job has been being a pastor’s wife of 39 years to my husband, Marv, who passed away in November of 2023,” she says. “We have been Sunday school teachers, led Bible study groups, helped with numerous fundraisers, and served as church kitchen helpers. If I can help, I’m willing to,” she says.

  In Barbara’s opinion, too much free time can sometimes be problematic. “Too many elderly suffer with mental health problems by not having things to do,” she says. 

Source: Winterset Living, February 2024; by Chantel Boyd


Eileen Thompson

Banking on it

When Eileen Thompson visited businesses this year to drop off TruBank calendars, many people said, “I thought you retired?” or “Oh, you’re back!” 

“There were lots of smiles,” says Thompson. “So many of these people are good friends and customers that I have built strong relationships with. Those connections last a lifetime.” 

You can’t really say that Thompson “is back” because she hasn’t really left. She’s held the title AVP of business development since 2009, and, although her official retirement was Sept. 30, 2020, she’s still a familiar face around the community at events TruBank sponsors. She also still goes into the office part-time. 

At age 17, Thompson never dreamed that she would eventually celebrate more than 50 years in banking. When she was a senior at Southeast Warren High School working part-time at the original Peoples Trust and Savings Bank, Bill Buxton offered her a job before she even graduated.

“I said, ‘Mr. Buxton, you know I haven’t even finished high school yet,’ ”

she says, smiling. “He responded by saying, ‘I’m not worried… we’re pretty sure you will.’ ”

Source: Indianola Living, February 2024; by Becky Kolosik


Martha Sheldahl

Teaching and antiquing

Martha Sheldahl’s teaching career began in the early 1970s at North Polk’s Sheldahl Elementary School, where she taught first and second grade. 

Shortly after starting, she took a 10-year break to raise her two older children. After her third child was born, she went back to teaching until her retirement in 2013. 

After retiring, she began substitute teaching for the North Polk Community School District, which she still does today. Sheldahl also worked part-time at an antique store in Slater, which she shared with family. 

“After leaving the store, I opened a small vintage shop in Polk City called Pedal Pushers, which I have open one to two days a week. My vintage shop gives me a place to play, create and paint furniture.”

But that isn’t all. Sheldahl also makes time for having a booth at the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall, for spending time with her grandchildren and for one of her favorite hobbies.

“Flower gardening at home is my stress reliever,” she says. “I like to stay busy and hope to continue these activities as long as I can.”

Source: North Polk Living, February 2024; by Lindsey Giardino

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