As Jan Wagner retires from 35 years at OATS, she recounts the changes that have taken place within the company, as well as the transitions in her own life.

Jan Wagner (L) and Dixie Blum (R) working at Clark County’s Annual Maid-Rite/Ice Cream Fundraiser on June 4th, 2011

Before joining OATS, Jan held a job as a basket welder, producing the metal baskets dairy trucks once used to deliver jugs of milk to market. When Jan began working as a driver for OATS, she was able to do what she enjoys most: interacting with people. “Everyone I hauled became friends. I loved every one of them,” Jan reminisced.

Northeast Regional Director Sheree Webb said, “Jan has been with OATS for 35 of the 40 years it has existed and I can’t begin to list the many ways our company has benefited. Her dedication to providing the rider with the very best transportation experience anyone could expect is what OATS’ reputation is made of! Jan’s heart has always been in her job, which is making it so difficult for her to step down from driving, but the good news is she’s not leaving. In fact, she has already transitioned into her next important role with the OATS organization as a volunteer.”

OATS has grown substantially in the past four decades. Jan remembered, “It started with one blue van out of Mexico, Missouri in 1970, from there it blossomed to servicing more than 80 counties. It’s a wonderful company to work for.” Jan concluded, “Sheree Web has been an excellent manager, a good friend and I will miss her.”

Once retired, Jan plans on enjoying plenty of time with her husband, working in the garden and visiting with her children, four grand kids and one great grand daughter. With a grand daughter’s upcoming wedding, she is hopeful for more great grandchildren soon.

The OATS Clark County Support Committee is having a retirement party for Jan Wagner on June 24, 2011. It is from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Kahoka Nutrition Center located at 222 North Lincoln Street in Kahoka, MO.