COLUMBUS, Neb. (Press Release) -- The City of Columbus is saying “bon voyage” to longtime Administrative Assistant Linda Cloeter, who officially retired Thursday, Mar. 6, 2025, to make more time for family, travel and more.

“I have enjoyed a lot of things here,” Cloeter said, smiling, Thursday morning from her desk in City Hall. “But I think my coworkers are what I have enjoyed the most. And the public … I have truly enjoyed the people and the continual activity here. constant of there being always something going on here. I like being busy.”

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumna with a degree in education, Cloeter joined the City in 2015 after a near-30 year-fruitful career in banking and raising her two sons. In her role, she reported directly to City Administrator Tara Vasicek and served as a “jack-of-all-trades.” Her responsibilities evolved throughout the years, helping put together various projects, organizing the office, answering phones and aiding City staff and elected officials with various tasks.

“And things changed when we moved into this building,” Cloeter said of the relocation of City Hall into the Columbus Community Building in July 2023. “Because then I also handled reception and greeted every person who came into City Hall. That was a big part of my job as well.”

The City of Columbus celebrated Cloeter’s retirement on Thursday at City Hall, with a staff potluck and celebration of her contributions. Staff and elected officials were in attendance to wish her well.

Vasicek said Cloeter has been a valuable member of the City staff throughout the last decade.

“Linda has been a fantastic part of our administration team. She is always willing to help and jump in,” Vasicek said. “She always has had a positive attitude, is respectful and has worked hard to provide great service to elected officials, staff and the public. We will miss her.”

An Albion native, she moved to Columbus in the early 1980s after graduating from UNL and marrying her husband, Dennis. The two have raised two sons and their oldest is married with a family of his own in Burwell.

Cloeter won’t be on City staff anymore, but she’ll continue to be busy in retirement.

“I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to do the things that I love,” she said.

Among her plans are taking more time to visit her 8-year-old granddaughter and 4-year-old grandson and support their activities.

“As they grow and have more activities at school and things like that, I have missed some of them for the last few years because it was just far enough that it wasn’t easy to get there on weeknights, but I will not miss anymore,” she assured.

Cloeter said she will do more antiquing, sew, garden, can, bake, serve at her church, and travel with her husband. With so many new adventures ahead, Cloeter’s retirement is truly just the beginning of another exciting chapter in her life. She’s ready to rock – figuratively and literally.

“I used to play the guitar and I haven’t picked it up in 20 years,” Cloeter said, with a big smile. “I want to do that again.”