Mindy Kemper (right), Lismore, is starting as the new Hardwick Postmaster, replacing the retiring Nancy Patton, Hardwick. Kemper has worked for the U.S. Postal Service for eight years between Luverne and Worthington. She is married to Chris Kemper and has two children, Collin and Alexia.Patton plans to stay in Hardwick and enjoy more time with her husband, Don, and time for riding their four motorcycles and traveling in their motor home. In her 33 years as a postal worker in Hardwick, Patton did much more than the job description called for. She helped people wrap packages at Christmas and wrote out checks for elderly customers to sign. "I sure hope they keep the small post offices open," she said. "It does become a gathering place for people." Don even made a wooden bench for people to sit on in the office. "The people here are so nice, and some of them needed to rest a little when they came in."
