When Donna Bauer looks back over her career, she remembers most fondly the people who have helped her along the way.
They were mentors and bosses. Co-workers and customers. Family and friends.
Bauer, age 83, is a “people person” who immediately puts visitors at ease with her warmth and easy conversation.
She enjoys working with people so much, it took her 65 years to decide to retire. She worked 45 years for Allen County Regional Hospital and another 20 for Iola Pharmacy’s medical equipment office.
So what’s her idea of retirement? She’s joined the hospital’s auxiliary group, where she will greet and guide patients as a volunteer.
On Friday afternoon, many of those she’s known over the years came to a retirement reception to wish her well as she transitions to this new endeavor.
BAUER grew up in Elsmore and describes herself as being shy until she was 13, when her older brother found her a weekend job as a waitress.
“He said, ‘I think that would be good for you.’ I hated to tell him that it really was,” she recalled.
That was her first experience working with the public.
Her mother was very outgoing and encouraged community service through activities like 4-H and playing the piano and organ at church.
“I’ve always liked to help people,” she said. “My mother told me to speak the truth and say what you think. So I’ve always done that.”
Bauer was just 17 in 1959 when she started working at the switchboard for Allen County Hospital, back when the hospital was located at what’s now the site of G&W Foods.
That’s when she met Leona Masterson, who worked at the hospital and whose son John would serve as president of Allen Community College for decades.
“She really impressed me and taught me to really care for the public. She made me want to make a difference when it came to helping people,” Bauer said. 
Later, Bauer moved to patient accounts, payroll and accounts payable before becoming assistant director of financial services.
