Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Shawano County Clerk Rosemary Rueckert, shown in her office at the county courthouse, has been serving county residents since the 1970s.
From manual typewriters to laptop computers, Rosemary Rueckert has seen it all.
After 42 years of service to the people of Shawano County, Rueckert is stepping aside as county clerk to enjoy retirement with her family.
Rueckert, 64, plans to retire effective Oct. 2 after a career in which she witnessed dramatic changes in the way elections are conducted, records are maintained and even telephone calls are handled.
When she started in the 1970s, one of her duties was operating a manual switchboard for all outgoing long-distance phone calls at the county courthouse.
“I’ve always enjoyed my job tremendously,” she said. “I just feel it’s time to step down.”
County Board members are expected to appoint longtime Deputy County Clerk Pam Schmidt to replace Rueckert until the position’s current term expires in November 2016. Schmidt at that time would have to decide whether to campaign for a full term.
County clerk is a partisan position elected to four-year terms at a salary of about $56,000 a year.
County leaders had high praise for Rueckert’s dedication and work ethic in the county job that handles everything from hunting licenses to car registrations.
“Rosie never shirked,” County Board Vice Chairman Arlyn Tober said. “When you asked her to do something, she did it.”
Rueckert started with the county in 1973 as an administrative secretary, and quickly was promoted to deputy county clerk. She served in that capacity for 17 years until running as a Republican for county clerk in 1990.
Serving two-year terms at first and later four-year terms, she was re-elected by voters repeatedly, including in her most recent election in 2013.
Through it all, Rueckert guided Shawano County government through years of technological evolutions and changes. Some of her favorite memories involve the countless young couples who arrived at the county courthouse to apply for marriage licenses.
“It’s really been something else — all different personalities,” she said.
Although Rueckert knows she will miss being county clerk, the Bonduel resident said she is looking forward to volunteering in the area, traveling with her husband, Joe, and spending more time with their children and grandchildren.
County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann said Rueckert’s longevity in county government is a testament to how well the public was served in her county clerk’s office. Erdmann said Rueckert also developed a strong institutional memory and could recollect details of county board actions from many years ago.
“She’s been a wealth of knowledge,” he said. “She has been an asset to the county.”
Added Tober: “We’re going to miss her — no doubt about it.”