Sale prompts retirement planning

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Local News

July 18, 2019 - 10:56 AM

Sandy and Jamie Mosbrucker said their favorite spot at 420 E. Jackson Ave. was the backyard, which included a hot tub, swing and fire pit. The Mosbruckers have moved to Pittsburg after selling the home to USD 257. COURTESY PHOTOS

This is the third in a four-part series about the properties on Jackson Avenue sold to USD 257 to build a new science and technology building at the Iola High School campus.

 

PITTSBURG ? Sandy and Jamie Mosbrucker created a private oasis in the backyard at 420 E. Jackson Ave. Replete with flowers and wrought-iron furniture, it was a place to relax and recharge after a long workday.

Their new townhouse apartment at Pittsburg doesn?t have a yard. That?s fine with them, though. Soon, the entire world will be their backyard.

The Mosbruckers sold their home to USD 257, one of four properties that soon will be demolished for a new science and technology building at the Iola High School campus. The building is one of three projects voters approved in April; a new elementary school and new heating, ventilation and cooling systems at the middle school also were approved. Groundbreaking for the science building is expected in November.

 

Jamie is a recruiter with the Kansas National Guard; he?ll retire in June 2020 after 41 years of service. Sandy helps him keep track of his busy schedule.

?We were going to sell our house and travel when he retired so when this (offer to sell) came along it just pushed us to move a little sooner,? Sandy said in a phone interview. ?It?s for a good cause, so we were good with that.?

Like the other property owners, the Mosbruckers support the school district?s plans. They believe the educational opportunities brought by the new science building will be a good use for the site.

Sandy, especially, appreciates the value of education. She worked for Haldex for 22 years until the company abandoned Iola in 2010. With a few college credits under her belt, she to use her new unemployment status as an opportunity to return to school, and attended Neosho County Community College to finish an associate degree in computer technology support.

?I enjoyed it,? she said of her return to college.

She worked two years at Community National Bank at Chanute before leaving to help her husband. His work as a military recruiter requires frequent travel to attend numerous events.

?Our schedule is ever-changing. It takes a lot of time,? she said.

That?s where their oasis of a backyard comes into play.

?It?s just perfect,? Sandy said. ?We were middle-aged and we didn?t need a big backyard. The landscaping back there was just awesome.?

The backyard, though not large, was full of hardy, perennial plants and flowers such as hostas and irises. The yard required minimal maintenance, ideal for a busy couple. Mowing the front and backyards took less than 20 minutes, total.

The backyard featured a portable hot tub, patio swing and picnic table, shaded by a pergola. They often relaxed near the fire pit.

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