Optimae LifeServices hosts retirement party for bakery worker

0
1781
Wilma Luther of Adel, center, worked for three years in the Brick Street Bakery in Adel and was a familiar face to customers of the popular cafe at 803 Main St. on the south side of the Dallas County Courthouse square. Michelle Chinberg Carnahan, left, residential coordinator with Optimae, said Wilma now plans to "shop and party!"

The staff and clients of Optimae LifeServices Inc. hosted their first retirement party Friday for a worker in the company’s supported-employment program. Optimae Lifeservices provides health and human services to people with disabilities and mental illnesses across 36 counties in Iowa.

Wilma Luther of Adel worked for three years in the Brick Street Bakery in Adel and was a familiar face to customers of the popular cafe at 803 Main St. on the south side of the Dallas County Courthouse square.

“Wilma’s our first client to retire,” said Melissa Scearce, Optimae LifeServices program coordinator for Dallas County. “We throw parties all the time, but it’s usually for clients who are going from supported employment to jobs in the competitive labor market.”

About 50 people attended the party at the Brick Street Bakery at 109 N. Ninth St. Cake and punch were served, and Wilma received many cards and gifts from her friends, including an apron signed by everyone.

Asked what she intends to do with her time in retirement, Luther said, “Shop and party!”

Michelle Chinberg Carnahan, residential coordinator at Optimae LifeServices, and Peg DeLoriea, Brick Street business manager, said Luther has been a model employee at the bakery and will be hard to replace.

“We’re sorry to lose her at the bakery,” Carnahan said, “but we all wish her well in retirement.”

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.