Working as a mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office fit Joan Keth perfectly.
Keth will retire Aug. 16 after serving 35 years with the post office in Jefferson City.
"My dad was the postmaster at Freeburg, and the post office hadn't hired in a long time," Keth said. "My dad brought home applications for myself and my brother (who now works as a postal clerk in Columbia)."
Keth prepared for her test at the post office and thought her final score would be good enough to get hired immediately.
"It actually took a year to hear from them, but I did get hired," she said. "I came to work not knowing what to expect. One of the older workers at the time said to me, 'Women shouldn't be doing this work.' I had reservations about doing the job. At the time, there was only one other woman."
When she started, there wasn't as much automation as there is today, Keth said.
"You were under the gun to get your packages together and get out on the street," she said. "Your first route is the most strenuous - and especially here in Jefferson City because we have the hills and places with lots of steps."
Keth worked that first year on the east side of town, covering East Dunklin Street, Hobbs Terrace and Houchin Street.
Over the last six years, she has been driving what is called "the 2-ton" truck, which goes to the most senior person doing the mail routes. She shuttles mail going from Capital View Station on Jefferson Street to the downtown post office on High Street as well as to the Truman State Office Building and delivery express mail.
"Back on my first route, my husband came to find me because I had forgotten my lunch," Keth said. "He went to the quick shop at Dunklin and Clark and asked if his wife had been there yet. They said, 'Is that your wife? She's so friendly and professional.' I thought, that's the two words I want to be when I do this job."
The route Keth worked prior to her current route called for her to deliver to many businesses, which she loved because it allowed her to meet many people.
"I've always tried to be friendly and positive and approachable," she said. "A lot of times, people will come up and ask if I can take a letter for them. I think they don't think we will, and of course I do. I tell them, 'I've got a 2-ton, and I can take as much as you can give me.'"
Keth joked she is getting out just in time, as next year the U.S. Census and elections will mean a lot more for carriers to take around to customers.
People in Jefferson City are very nice on our routes," she said. "We get a lot of dog training, and I never got bit. But people are pretty good about keeping them out of our way. When we do the food drive in May, our office always ranks high in the nation for getting donations. That tells you how good the people in Jefferson City are."
Keth credits a lot of her success to the work ethic she was taught by her parents in Osage County, who grew up during the Great Depression.
"My mom is 94 and really giving cancer a run for its money," Keth said. "Once I retire, I want to be there more for my mom. I plan on walking the hills of Osage County and biking the Katy Trail."