News

Postmaster retires from service

By Scott Wagar

10/02/2012

After being employed with the U.S. Postal Service for 33 years Peggy Thorenson has made the decision to retire.

“The post office was offering an early out and I felt that it just made sense to do it now,” Thorenson said. “I wasn’t really planning to go this early, but when looking at my annuity of what it would be now, compared to what it would be for a few more years, it didn’t make much difference. So, I decided to retire.”

Thorenson started with the U.S. Postal Service in December of 1979 as a postmaster replacement where she worked for the postmaster when he was away on postal business, vacation or needed personal time off.

She worked in that position for 10 years when she accepted a position as a city carrier in Minot, a position Thorenson held until 1995 when she became the supervisor for Minot’s city and rural carriers.

In January of 1999, she accepted the postmaster position in Bottineau. During her time in Bottineau, Thorenson has been a dedicated postmaster. Besides her primary duties, she has assisted in carrying the mail in town, working the customer counter, unloading trucks, separating mail and so much more.

Thorenson has also played an important part in making sure the Bottineau’s post office operated smoothly over the past few years during one of the most financially difficult times in the history of the U.S. Post Office.

In representing the Bottineau Post Office, Thorenson has volunteered her time to provide the community food pantry with supplies, and has volunteered her time to other city organizations as a postal employee to assist in community projects.   
Thorenson stated that she is very pleased with her time in Bottineau.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here and it has gone by so fast. I’ve met so many people and have had a lot of great people to work with,” Thorenson said. “The community has been very good to me, the customers have been great and I’ve had good employees to work with. I am going to miss everyone a lot.”

In retirement, Thorenson has decided to spend time with family first and then go from there.

“I am going to spend a lot of time with my family, my kids and grandkids,” she said. “However, I do not have any other plans so far. I am just going to take it easy for a while and go from there.”

For the present moment, Denise Grossman from Rugby will be filling in as the officer in charge until a postmaster is appointed in Bottineau.