Denninger says goodbye after 21 years

Friday was Carol Denninger’s last day in Pierce County after 21 years. Denninger was hired in 1991 and, for five years, split her shift between Emergency Management and Land Management before going to Land Management full-time as a planning secretary in 1996, making her the longest-tenured employee in the department. “The people here have been great--the staff and bosses,” she said. Denninger joked the countdown for Friday has been on for the last six months. “I’m ready,” she continued. A retirement party was held Thursday in the board room, which touched her. “It was a wonderful, excellent turnout,” she said. “The girls here, especially (co-workers) Shari (Hartung) and Emily (Lund), did an excellent job in setting it up.” The lifelong Ellsworth native isn’t sure what she will do next, except spend more time with her family--four daughters and seven grandchildren. “I’m not a big traveler,” she said, preferring more of the day trips. She did state, if they need help, “they can certainly give me a call, I’m less than five minutes away.” Jacki Drier from Durand was named as her replacement and started Monday. -- Photo by Jason Schulte