During her more than 30 years of working at the Granton Area School District, Doreen Helm may have never realized that she was so very much appreciated by so many people.

Until last Friday morning, that is.

Entering the school library for what she thought would be a low-key send-off; the retiring administrative assistant was greeted by the sight of a roomful of people and the sound of the Granton School Band.

Members of her family, smiles and looks of pride on their faces, were there.  So were her friends, past school teachers and superintendents.

In the center of the room a large cake was covered with a simple heart-felt message atop the yellow frosting: “Happy Retirement.  We Will Miss You.”

There was more to be said, according to School Board President Theresa Hasz, who stepped out of the crowd of well-wishers to give Helm a hug.  She has been “a rock and the foundation” at Granton schools for so many years, Hasz said as she presented Helm with a plaque, featuring a clock and school bell, on behalf of the entire school board.

On the plaque were more words of appreciation: “Thank you for your 31 years of service to this community.  You are loved and respected by all.  God bless you as you have blessed so many others.”

Wearing a colorful Hawaiian lei that was suddenly draped around her neck, Helm was speechless for a moment. Smiling, her eyes misting up, Helm found a box of tissues that conveniently came out of nowhere. Dabbing at her eyes welling up with joy, Helm thanked everyone for being there.

Later in the morning, an assembly for the students would be held in her honor.

All that attention was very much deserved, according to High School Principal Craig Anderson.

School Superintendent Rick Rehm was in whole-hearted agreement. “She’s the glue that holds this place together,” he said.

It’s always been that way, according to past Granton school superintendents who came to pay tribute to someone who was remembered as an invaluable assistant.  They included Roland Krueger, now retired and living in Neillsville; Jim Friesen, now the superintendent at Owen-Withee and Jerry Nelson, currently retired and living in Osseo.

Granton Schools have, in turn, been special to her entire family, Helm said.  Although she grew up in Chili and went to school in Marshfield, all of her three children attended and graduated from Granton schools, she said.

  “It’s been a wonderful experience,” Helm said of her own three decades as administrative assistant, made even more memorable by the entire staff.  “And I’ve really enjoyed the kids,” she added, her eyes misting up again.

Now the time had come for her to appreciate her own kids and their families, said Helm, who plans to travel and visit her children living in Neillsville, the Milwaukee area and in Florida.