Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Seeking new experiences: Wells Fargo’s Hagen to retire
For 37 years now, Karen Hagen has spent every weekday working at the same Detroit Lakes bank. During that time, her job title has changed from teller to loan officer to personal banker, and the name of the bank has changed too — from First National to Norwest to Wells Fargo. By: Vicki Gerdes, DL-Online
For 37 years now, Karen Hagen has spent every weekday working at the same Detroit Lakes bank.
During that time, her job title has changed from teller to loan officer to personal banker, and the name of the bank has changed too — from First National to Norwest to Wells Fargo.
She’s had several different bosses, including Arnie Porkkonen — who gave Hagen her first job as a bank teller — the late Bob Harris, and most recently, Ladd Lyngaas.
But the biggest change of all, Hagen says, has been the technology bankers use to do their business.
“When I started in banking, we did a lot of hand posting,” she adds.
Today, most transactions are posted electronically, via personal computers.
“Technology has really streamlined things,” Hagen says, “and Wells Fargo really has a great training and support system for its bankers. There’s always someone there to answer your questions.”
Over the years, Hagen has really enjoyed interacting with her clients.
“The customer relationships are what I enjoy most,” she says. “I have some families that I’m working with the third generation (of clients). I feel like they’re part of my family, I really do.”
The most satisfying part of her job, Hagen says, is “working with people and helping to meet their needs in a changing banking environment.”
But after nearly four decades on the job, Hagen has decided it’s time to try something new.
“After 37 years, I think I’m just ready to have the time to do some things I haven’t experienced before,” she says.
As in the past, Hagen also plans to spend some of her time volunteering: Over the years, she’s been involved with the Chamber of Commerce and its Ambassadors program; the United Way of Becker County; Toastmasters International, the American Heart Association and Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes.
“Wells Fargo has a commitment to community involvement… Bob Harris, and now Ladd Lyngaas have encouraged the involvement of its employees in this community.”
“During her 37-year career at Wells Fargo, Karen has excelled at delivering outstanding service to our customers and our communities,” said Ladd Lyngaas in a press release. “Our customers valued Karen’s strong background in community banking, her energy for community involvement and her focus on satisfying all of our customers’ financial services needs and helping them succeed financially. We will miss her, and wish her good luck in all her future endeavors.”
Through the years, Hagen has also appreciated the opportunity that the bank gave her to adjust her work schedule around the activities of her now-grown children, Mike and Lisa, by working four days a week instead of five.
“And in latter years, they’ve allowed me to take leaves of absence for traveling,” she adds.
Still, the Rosholt, S.D., native is looking forward to the chance to have more personal time.
“My husband Mark and I like to travel, and I’m also interested in spending time with my children, my mom and dad and extended family,” she says. “I also enjoy reading, camping, biking — and I’ll have more time for golf!”
Those who would like to wish Hagen well in her retirement are invited to an open house on Thursday, June 4, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Wells Fargo Bank, located at 211 W. Holmes St. in Detroit Lakes.
(Photo by Vicki Gerdes)
Shortly after obtaining a two-year business degree from Presentation College in Aberdeen, S.D., Karen Hagen moved to Detroit Lakes to take a job as a bank teller at First National Bank — now Wells Fargo. She will retire from her position as a personal banker for the local branch next month. A retirement open house for her is set to take place on Thursday, June 4, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. For 37 years now, Karen Hagen has spent every weekday working at the same Detroit Lakes bank.
During that time, her job title has changed from teller to loan officer to personal banker, and the name of the bank has changed too — from First National to Norwest to Wells Fargo.
She’s had several different bosses, including Arnie Porkkonen — who gave Hagen her first job as a bank teller — the late Bob Harris, and most recently, Ladd Lyngaas.
But the biggest change of all, Hagen says, has been the technology bankers use to do their business.
“When I started in banking, we did a lot of hand posting,” she adds.
Today, most transactions are posted electronically, via personal computers.
“Technology has really streamlined things,” Hagen says, “and Wells Fargo really has a great training and support system for its bankers. There’s always someone there to answer your questions.”
Over the years, Hagen has really enjoyed interacting with her clients.
“The customer relationships are what I enjoy most,” she says. “I have some families that I’m working with the third generation (of clients). I feel like they’re part of my family, I really do.”
The most satisfying part of her job, Hagen says, is “working with people and helping to meet their needs in a changing banking environment.”
But after nearly four decades on the job, Hagen has decided it’s time to try something new.
“After 37 years, I think I’m just ready to have the time to do some things I haven’t experienced before,” she says.
As in the past, Hagen also plans to spend some of her time volunteering: Over the years, she’s been involved with the Chamber of Commerce and its Ambassadors program; the United Way of Becker County; Toastmasters International, the American Heart Association and Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes.
“Wells Fargo has a commitment to community involvement… Bob Harris, and now Ladd Lyngaas have encouraged the involvement of its employees in this community.”
“During her 37-year career at Wells Fargo, Karen has excelled at delivering outstanding service to our customers and our communities,” said Ladd Lyngaas in a press release. “Our customers valued Karen’s strong background in community banking, her energy for community involvement and her focus on satisfying all of our customers’ financial services needs and helping them succeed financially. We will miss her, and wish her good luck in all her future endeavors.”
Through the years, Hagen has also appreciated the opportunity that the bank gave her to adjust her work schedule around the activities of her now-grown children, Mike and Lisa, by working four days a week instead of five.
“And in latter years, they’ve allowed me to take leaves of absence for traveling,” she adds.
Still, the Rosholt, S.D., native is looking forward to the chance to have more personal time.
“My husband Mark and I like to travel, and I’m also interested in spending time with my children, my mom and dad and extended family,” she says. “I also enjoy reading, camping, biking — and I’ll have more time for golf!”
Those who would like to wish Hagen well in her retirement are invited to an open house on Thursday, June 4, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Wells Fargo Bank, located at 211 W. Holmes St. in Detroit Lakes.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
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Murphy
My dog,
My playmate and
Best friend.
Murphy.
You are my friend
with long, shedding,
amber fur.
It is all over my bed,
but I don't care.
You with your
big brown, understanding
eyes, like moons
in a sea of gold.
So old you are
graying at your
muzzle.
Five years, or
thirty-five for you.
You are my playmate
jumping around and
fetching the yellow-green
tennis ball.
Your favorite.
Happiness when I
see my friend.
Arrive home,
he is waiting.
Set out for a walk,
he is ready.
Many of my tears,
over the years,
find your coat.
Part of my
heart,
life,
identity,
would be gone
if you departed.
That is then,
and I dread
the day.
But this is now.
I have my fluffy,
big eyed,
loving
puppy.
And I am happy
with my Murphy.
Olivia Jorde
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Friday, May 08, 2009
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
1. Stay out of trouble.
2. Aim for greater heights
3. Stay focused on your job.
4. Exercise to maintain good health.
5. Practice teamwork.
6. Rely on your trusted partner to watch your back. Take your time trusting others.
7. Save for rainy days.
8. Rest and relax.
9. Always take time to smile.
10. Realise that nothing is impossible.
___________________________________________________________________
SERENITY
Just before the funeral services,
the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked,
'How old was your husband?'
'98,' she replied, 'Two years older than me'
'So you're 96,' the undertaker commented.
She responded , 'Hardly worth going home, is it?
Reporter interviewing a 104-year-old woman:
'And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?'
the reporter asked.
She simply replied, 'No peer pressure.'
The nice thing about being senile is You can hide your own Easter eggs.
I've sure gotten old! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement,
New knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes
I'm half blind,
Can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine,
Take 40 different medications that
Make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts.
Have bouts with dementia ..
Have poor circulation;
Hardly feel my hands and feet anymore.
Can't remember if I'm 89 or 98.
Have lost all my friends. But, thank God,
I still have my driver's license.
I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape,
So I got my doctor's permission to
Join a fitness club and start exercising.
I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors.
I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down,
and perspired for an hour. But,
By the time I got my leotards on, The class was over.
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Know how to prevent sagging?
Just eat till the wrinkles fill out.
It's scary when you start making the same noises
As your coffee maker.
These days about half the stuff In my shopping cart says,
' For fast relief.'
THE SENILITY PRAYER:
Grant me the senility to forget the people
I never liked anyway,
The good fortune to run into the ones I do, and
The eyesight to tell the difference.
Now, I think you're supposed to share this with 5 or 6,
maybe 10 others. Oh heck, give it to a bunch of your friends
if you can remember who they are!
Always Remember This:
You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing!
Submitted by: Nancy
2. Aim for greater heights
3. Stay focused on your job.
4. Exercise to maintain good health.
5. Practice teamwork.
6. Rely on your trusted partner to watch your back. Take your time trusting others.
7. Save for rainy days.
8. Rest and relax.
9. Always take time to smile.
10. Realise that nothing is impossible.
___________________________________________________________________
SERENITY
Just before the funeral services,
the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked,
'How old was your husband?'
'98,' she replied, 'Two years older than me'
'So you're 96,' the undertaker commented.
She responded , 'Hardly worth going home, is it?
Reporter interviewing a 104-year-old woman:
'And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?'
the reporter asked.
She simply replied, 'No peer pressure.'
The nice thing about being senile is You can hide your own Easter eggs.
I've sure gotten old! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement,
New knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes
I'm half blind,
Can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine,
Take 40 different medications that
Make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts.
Have bouts with dementia ..
Have poor circulation;
Hardly feel my hands and feet anymore.
Can't remember if I'm 89 or 98.
Have lost all my friends. But, thank God,
I still have my driver's license.
I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape,
So I got my doctor's permission to
Join a fitness club and start exercising.
I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors.
I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down,
and perspired for an hour. But,
By the time I got my leotards on, The class was over.
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Know how to prevent sagging?
Just eat till the wrinkles fill out.
It's scary when you start making the same noises
As your coffee maker.
These days about half the stuff In my shopping cart says,
' For fast relief.'
THE SENILITY PRAYER:
Grant me the senility to forget the people
I never liked anyway,
The good fortune to run into the ones I do, and
The eyesight to tell the difference.
Now, I think you're supposed to share this with 5 or 6,
maybe 10 others. Oh heck, give it to a bunch of your friends
if you can remember who they are!
Always Remember This:
You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing!
Submitted by: Nancy
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Mother's Day at the Beljorde's
All are welcome!
Let us know how many in your family will be attending and what dish you will bring to share.
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