Portage County Clerk Shirley Simonis (right) wishes Linda Sprecher (left) luck during Sprecher’s retirement party Friday. (City-Times photo)

By Brandi Makuski

Records Bureau Secretary Linda Sprecher retired from her spot with the Stevens Point Police Department Friday after seven years on the job.

Sprecher said she applied for the city job half-heartedly shortly after her husband passed away and hours for her job at a local church office were cut.

“To find a job at 58, well, that just doesn’t happen,” Sprecher said to a crowded room filled with family, department heads from city and county government, uniformed and off- duty police officers and sheriff deputies and staff members from around the courthouse.

“To get a job at 58 was such a miracle. I’m going to miss you all, but I’m sure we’ll still see each other,” she added as her eyes welled with tears.

Mayor Andrew Halverson gave brief remarks thanking Sprecher’s work for the city and Stevens Point Police Chief Kevin Ruder presented Sprecher with an appreciation plaque and a recognition coin for her service, saying she brought an air of small-town friendliness to the customer service window where she worked.

“She’s always so friendly, she would always go beyond that glass,” Ruder said. “I kept saying, ‘Linda, that’s bullet-proof glass, it’s there for your safety’, but she’s such a people- person she had to go out into the hallway and talk to people in person.”

“You have no idea how overwhelmed I feel by the presence of all of your here,” said Sprecher, whose voice began to waiver before she cleared her throat and announced: “Now, there’s cake and cookies and milk and coffee, so please help yourself.”