Longtime postal employee retires
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Undaunted by rain, sleet or snow, Pat Kehl took to the country roads on the outskirts of East Troy, day in and out, for more than 30 years. She admittedly took pride in ensuring residents received important information through one of the most venerable services in our nation’s history.
But the time to brave Wisconsin’s sometimes volatile weather conditions has come to an end. Kehl, a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, retired recently after 33-and-half years of service.
Kehl, who lives in the Town of Troy with husband Dean, said she reached the permissible retirement age and decided it was time to travel down a new road and take in new experiences.
But Kehl said she will reflect fondly on her years with East Troy Post Office, where she chose to use her own vehicle to deliver mail to residents.
“I’ve always enjoyed being outside and being around people,” Kehl said. “I had gotten to know my customers by name long ago.”
Working in an environment of envelopes, packages and stamps runs in Kehl’s family. She is following in her father’s footsteps by retiring from the agency. Two of Kehl’s sisters also have been employees.
The lightened load of responsibility is admittedly an adjustment for Kehl, who is beginning to formulate post-retirement plans. Before she and Dean go full steam ahead, however, Kehl has an important obstacle to cross.
Kehl will soon begin chemotherapy treatments – a scenario that is playing out in the aftermath of a recent diagnosis. Kehl is a cancer survivor, having beat breast cancer. But doctors recently learned of a recurrence in one of her lymph nodes.
“It’s another hurdle for me to cross,” Kehl said. “Before I do anything big with my retirement, I need to take care of myself first.”
But even as she prepares for another cancer battle, Kehl has gradually segued into a new chapter of life. She recently began serving as an independent consultant for L’BRI Pure ‘n Natural, a Mukwonago-based firm specializing in body lotions.
Eventually, Kehl and her husband plan to retire to Florida – a transition that would be a significant adjustment for a couple with such strong roots in the East Troy area.
Kehl, a lifelong resident, said she has long been attracted to the many amenities of the area, where she has been able to partake in such favorite pastimes as skiing, fishing and tennis.
“We both have a lot of family around here, and that’s been a big part of what’s kept us here,” Kehl said.
Kehl, who spoke with a reporter on a day temperatures were on the verge of plunging below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, said she felt privileged to serve East Troy residents through the U.S. Postal Service.
“The only thing I won’t miss are days like today,” Kehl said, referring to the intensely frigid weather conditions.
