By Lori Ehde
Shirley Roos has managed Luverne's home delivered meals program for 30 years, and her co-workers and clients are throwing her a party this afternoon in the Senior Dining Center.
Roos modestly admits a party isn't necessary, but she said sheÕs looking forward to it.
"It'll feel kinda good, I guess," she said. "Actually, I told them they can just forget about the whole thing, too, as far as IÕm concerned."
The open house party will be from 2 to 4 p.m. today.
For Roos, it will be a celebration of friendships.
"I've enjoyed working with the people at Senior Dining and I've enjoyed working with the clients."
Her job requires her to meet with new clients and periodically with existing clients.
"Some of them I've known since I was clerking at Dave's Market (on Main Street) when I was a teenager," she said. "Some I leave after three hours and they're still talking."
For six days a week for 30 years, Roos has played a role in making sure local shut-ins receive warm, nutritious meals.
Home delivered meals is a service of Western Community Action, but Roos' salary is paid by funds from the local Red Arrow drive, which is currently underway in Rock County.
She said her reward isn't the paycheck; it's gratitude expressed by those who receive the meals. "The smiles and warm wishes I received will be a warm and treasured memory this winter," Ann Hollaren wrote this week before she left Luverne for the winter.
"This is what makes my job worthwhile," Roos said of Hollaren's note.
The meals are delivered by volunteers, and it's up to Roos to sign them in, assign them to their routes and get them on their way with carefully packed hot and cold coolers.
The program started in the early 1970s with delivery of seven meals. Today, that program has expanded to serve nearly 30. "I had no idea what I was getting into," Roos said. "At one point we served 59 meals."
It's a program that relies heavily on volunteers who serve for short times, so there are countless opportunities for errors. In a 1995 Star Herald feature story about the program, Roos said she's the first to admit she makes mistakes.
"I used to wake up in the middle of the night and think of things, but now I don't. We still goof. I goof big-time once in awhile," she was quoted as saying in that story.
Now at 73, Roos said she has no regrets for sticking with the job for so long.
"It's either stupidity or dedication - I'm not sure which, but I've enjoyed it."