51����Ƶ

When her boss used to ask about it, she’d say: “What else am I going to do? Sit at home?”

But after mulling it over for the past year, she set a goal of ending her nursing career in the month of her birthday. That milestone arrived Oct. 20.

“It was a big decision to have to quit,” she said. “I have loved every minute of it.”

Schaaf has been working for the Good Samaritan Society since 1972, first in Atkinson, where she is from, and then in Millard since 1975.

She did her training at the Omaha School for Vocational Nursing. After graduating in 1965, she worked at the old St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha.

Along the way, she had six children. She also has nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

She’s cut back on her hours the past few years and has been doing just a couple of shifts here and there for the past several months.

Administrator Nick Norby can’t believe the time has come. That she has worked so long is an incredible accomplishment, he said, that shows her dedication to the staff and residents.

“She brings just a positive energy and just a kind spirit to all of our residents,” he said. “She always tries to make everyone feel included.”

Good Samaritan plans to hold a retirement party Wednesday afternoon. There’ll be cake for everyone to celebrate Schaaf’s long career, Norby said.

Schaaf said she did her best to make the residents feel loved, and happy and at home in their surroundings.

Sometimes that meant just sitting and talking to them.

“It was all really interesting for me,” she said. “I enjoyed meeting family members and learning about the residents and their lives.”

She still plans to help with church and worship services on Fridays and Sundays.

When asked what she would do now that she’s retired, she said, “Clean my house, I guess.”

There will actually be more time for family and friends, she said.

“I love to read. I go to antique and thrift stores. I love to travel,” she said. “I’ve done bus trips with friends. I’m sure I’ll keep busy. I might maybe get back to sewing. I want to do that again, too.”