82-Year-Old Salem Woman to Retire After 62-Years With Wells Fargo

Loewen started as a typist in Salem for the company on Feb. 1, 1944.

Photo courtesy: Wells Fargo

(SALEM, Ore. ) - It's been a long, enjoyable ride for 82-year-old Wells Fargo Trust Officer Esther Loewen of Salem, who is retiring on Oct. 31.

She calculates she has worked more than 62 years for the company, making her the longest-serving Wells Fargo employee in Oregon and possibly in the nation. "I've finally gotten to the age where I should retire. I want to leave while I'm still healthy," she said.

Loewen's co-workers will host an open house party 2:00 - 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 1 at her offices at 580 State St.

Started As A Typist:

Loewen started as a typist in Salem for the company on Feb. 1, 1944. She later worked as a bookkeeper, check processor, personal banker and teller before joining the Trust department as an administrative assistant. She became a trust officer in 1986.

In 1994, after 50 years of service to the company, she accepted an early retirement offer.

However, she soon went back to work, spending about 18 months working for the Oregon Legislature and a Salem insurance company.

Loewen then returned to Wells Fargo in 1996 for a temporary assignment as a contract employee but it wasn't too long before the company rehired her.

"I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had for professional and personal development that the company has provided me over the many years," said Loewen. "I am what I am today because of my company, Wells Fargo," she said. "You have no idea how difficult it is for me to make this decision but I also count my blessings that I can leave with excellent health and memories that will remain with me forever."

One such memory from her Wells Fargo career was riding in a stagecoach in the Rose Parade in Pasadena last January, she said.

A Model of Loyalty and Enthusiasm:

"In all the years Esther spent in the service of the company, she has always been a model of loyalty and enthusiasm," said Dave Frosaker, her manager. "I have never met a bigger cheerleader for Wells Fargo than Esther. Her spirit and her unbridled energy will certainly be missed by all of her co-workers. I have no doubt that, even in retirement, Esther will continue to be a terrific goodwill ambassador for Wells Fargo."

Loewen maintains her medication-free health by waking up early every morning and walking for at least half an hour. After a cup of coffee and a bagel, she's off to work. "My doctor said he'd like to clone me," she said.

Loewen said she has not formulated any concrete plans yet for her post-Wells Fargo life. She plans to relax, travel, spend more time with her family, do some volunteer work, exercise more and take some computer classes but, "I will not sit doing nothing," she said.

Esther's Advice For Enjoying a Long Term Career:

• "Work so that you can go out of the building at night and say, ‘I did a good job.' Give 110 per-cent of your time and effort. Put your heart into your work.
• Make it personal. Take an interest in your job.
• Build relationships with your customers so they know they can come to you and you'll be able to help them."