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South Tama celebrates retirees

Nancy Dostal was honored as a retiree at the annual South Tama Retirement and Service Award Ceremony held Tuesday, June 1. Pictured with Nancy are her daughter Kelly, granddaughter Kiya and husband Jeff (right). Allison Graham/News Chronicle

When people over 70 interviewed for a study were asked to recall their happiest moment in life one of the top answers was the day of their retirement.

South Tama County Superintendent Jared Smith shared this information with the South Tama staff at their annual Retirement and Service Award Ceremony held Tuesday, June 1.

Nine staff members from the district were honored and celebrated for their retirement including Middle School Special Education Teacher Linda Aziz (2014-2021), Business Manager Mary Boege (2013-2021), Middle School Physical Education Jeff DeBondt (2004-2021), Middle School Custodian Mike Dostal (2008-2021), High School Special Ed aide (1999-2004) and High School English Teacher Nancy Dostal (2007-2021), Elementary ELL Elaine Gibson (1998-2021), Elementary Food Service Nancy Haines (2014-2021), High School FCS teacher Chris Quigley (2007-2021) and Elementary Title I teacher Shelly Riley (2015-2021).

Retirees were able to include their families in the day and many had family members with them to help celebrate. They were also given a cake and a bell.

Staff members who worked closely with each retiree also gave a speech. The special ed team and Principal Ben Adams spoke on behalf of Aziz.

Chris Quigley is retiring from the South Tama County High School. Quigley served as a High School FCS teacher for 14 years. She was honored along with eight other retirees Tuesday at the annual Retirement and Service Award Ceremony.

Adams also gave a speech for DeBondt and Mike Dostal.

Elementary Principal Brad Schwepe and School Counselor Anita Townsley gave a speech about Elaine Gibson highlighting her humbleness and mission work. Schwepe and Megan Rosenberger gave a speech for Shelly Riley.

Mark Groteluschen and Victoria Hamilton spoke about Chris Quigley’s time at the high school saying Quigley is a Trojan through and through.

Sue Haughey and Mary Mixdorf spoke for Boege and invited her to visit anytime with her special scotcharoos and chocolate chip cookies.

The high school english department including Rachel Davis, Deanna Zmolek and Katie Murphy gave a heartfelt and personal speech about Nancy Dostal.

Mike Dostal is retiring from the South Tama County middle school. Dostal served as a Custodian for 13 years. He was honored along with eight other retirees Tuesday at the annual Retirement and Service Award Ceremony. Allison Graham/News Chronicle

“We were thankful to have the opportunity to bring the full staff together for the first time in 18 months to celebrate the lives and the careers of nine South Tama County employees,” Smith said.

Other awards given out included Trojan Way awards and service awards.

Trojan Way awards were presented to Doug Cherveny, Leti Babinat, Chris Quigley, Heather Garrett, Jennifer Perez, Julie Hagerty, Julie Brezina and Jeff DeBondt.

Years of Service

Five Years:

Elaine Gibson is retiring from the South Tama County Elementary School. Gibson served as an Elementary ELL teacher for 22 years. She was honored along with eight other retirees Tuesday at the annual Retirement and Service Award Ceremony. She is greeted by Principal Brad Schwepe who handed her a bell.

Elizabeth (Betty) Bonilla, Taylor Brown, Chad Buck, Tracy Glockl, Daniel Kass, Levi Klopping, Stacy Leach, Hannah Mullen, Dennis Novotny and Bette Scheid.

10 Years:

Calvin Johnson, Debra Lenhart, Christine McFate, Ellen Moran, Ashley Steven, Troy Wanatee and Deanna Zmolek.

15 Years:

Emily Chyma, Cindy Dunning, Deborah Llewellyn, Amy Parizek, Chris Quigley, Amy Steward, Robert Tyynismaa, Elizabeth Weitzell and Charlene Willaby.

Shelly Riley is retiring from the South Tama County Elementary School. Riley served as an Elementary Title I teacher for six years. She was honored along with eight other retirees Tuesday at the annual Retirement and Service Award Ceremony. Riley was greeted by Megan Rosenberger who gave her a hug following a speech.

20 Years:

Tina Boldt, Jill Dilly, Kory Staff and Dawn Vest.

30 Years:

Stan Avery, Melody Cole, Melanie Kemper, Seth Koch, Pat McCoy and Mary Mixdorf.

Jeff DeBondt is retiring from the South Tama County Middle School. DeBondt served as a Middle School P.E. teacher for17 years. He was honored along with eight other retirees Tuesday at the annual Retirement and Service Award Ceremony. His wife Kathy is seated to his left. They smile at each other during the ceremony.

Linda Aziz is retiring from the South Tama County middle school. Aziz served as a Middle School Special Education teacher. She was honored along with eight other retirees Tuesday at the annual Retirement and Service Award Ceremony.

Mary Boege is retiring from the South Tama County Administration Office. Boege served as the Business Manager for seven years. She was honored along with eight other retirees Tuesday at the annual Retirement and Service Award Ceremony.