Bauer says goodbye to banking

Saturday, April 13, 2013
Loretta George/The Tribune Jordan Witt shares a light moment with Dona Bauer, at her retirement reception on April 12 at UMB bank.

Helping people. That's what Dona Bauer believes is the best part about her job as a personal banker.

She shared memories with well-wishers who stopped in at her retirement reception at UMB bank on April 12.

Bauer began working at the bank on Sept. 30,1972, has served for over 40 years, and the relationships with people are what made her job enjoyable.

"The great relationships, and helping with problems. Many times people come in and they've got a crisis and we nail it down and find the resources to help them," she said.

A memory that sticks with her the most is when the bank outgrew their former location.

"A lot of great memories, I might just go back to 1974, when we moved to this location (at the corner of 4th Street and National Avenue). We had room to spread out and we weren't elbow to elbow. We were at 12 E. Wall, where the Tribune is now."

Changes have been tremendous for the banking industry in 40 years, since Bauer started.

"We did everything by hand. Figuring interest, figuring accruals on loans, loan notices...we typed them up manually. A lot of changes," Bauer said.

Because she has enjoyed her job, the time and the years have gone by quickly, she said.

"A year goes by, then five years, then 10 years goes by," she said.

Bauer didn't plan on a specific time to retire, but and now is the time, she said.

With the new found freedom that comes with retirement, she is looking forward for the first few weeks of organizing at home.

"I'm going to get my house cleaned out. I'm going through my house and get rid of unnecessary items," she said. Along with house organization, she'll still have plenty to keep her days filled.

Jordan Witt, a guest at her reception, said she's given many hours volunteering to organizations like the Keyhole, which is an organization that is serving as a community center for the youth of Bourbon County.

Bauer's other involvement in the community has been in the Sharing Bucket, Thursday Nite Live FCE, Pioneer Kiwanis and Mt. Zion Baptist at Garland.

Bauer said flower gardening, making handmade cards and going to her grandchildren's activities will add to keeping her life busy. Her grandchildren are Mattson and Peyton Steele, who live in Pittsburg.

But she will always have good memories of her time at the bank.

"UMB has been very good to me," Bauer said.

"She will be missed, let me tell you," said co-worker, Tammy Hill