Last week was the first full week flying solo for our new front desk office manager, Kathy Nelson. She managed to complete her tasks, handle phone calls, receive walk-ins and deal with software issues without blinking an eye. She appears to be a solid replacement for our previous front desk worker, Roberta Hibbison.

Most of our readers know of Roberta as the one who greets them with a smile at the door or politely re-directs phone calls to the appropriate employees of the Citizen-Tribune. Roberta’s 10-year tenure at the Becker newspaper ended Aug. 1 with her departure for a fulltime job in downtown Minneapolis.

Sometimes change is tough. Especially for her co-workers and boss.

Roberta was, however, more than a co-worker to me. She is my sister-in-law — sister to my wife of 27 years, Terri. So, even though she won’t be gracing our office anymore, I’m sure I’ll still get the opportunity to see Roberta and her family at family functions and at the train stop should I ever have to drop Terri off at the Big Lake station.

I’m “tributizing” Roberta in this column because she is deserving of such an honor. She was well liked here and will be greatly missed.

Sometimes change is inevitable.

Roberta — from day one back in 2009 — brought humor, a sense of innocence, joy and a boost of energy to our little workplace. Her bright smiles and hearty “good morning” greetings still echo the halls of the office whenever the back or front doors swing open.

Roberta could also whip up some delectable treats (quite a baker) should one of our co-workers celebrate a birthday or achieve a significant milestone. And, she was always mindful of said birthdays, making sure whose ever celebration it was, their favorite cake was waiting for them at our staff meeting along with a funny and poignant card.

Roberta would continually delight us with her tales of capers at her home or engage us with stories of mischief or travails about her son (Nathan) or husband  (David).

Or cat (Bella).

Roberta has always had a way of not only being a good listener and  fun storyteller, but she also had good insight into a lot of matters and wasn’t afraid to share. Roberta was a diligent worker, rarely missing any days — and when she did — she found a way to usurp the time missed and make up for the loss of hours or days. All this while maintaining a robust household in Clearwater, cooking dinners, cleaning, walking the dog, tending to her minister husband and ushering Nathan off to school every day.

Sometimes change can be preordained.

Mounting medical bills, and a displacement of work for her incapacitated husband, keyed Roberta’s search to find fulltime status and a healthier paycheck. It was during this time that she received news of a job opening for a job right up her alley. And, just as the rainbow was a sign from God that all was well, Roberta felt this job opportunity was “just what the doctor ordered.”

Now her new company can learn to appreciate and savor the glee Miss Roberta Hibbison brings to a workplace in their own special way.

Good luck Roberta, enjoy your new job. You will be greatly missed here at the Citizen-Tribune. 

Sometimes change is necessary.

(By the way, Kathy is filling in for you very well. You must be a fantastic instructor, too).