County Auditor Ihrke ‘grateful’ for 42-year career

“After 42 years, I thought it was time.”

That’s how Steele County Auditor Laura Ihrke describes the decision to retire from her position effective December 30.

Ihrke’s career started when she applied in 1980 for a clerk’s job in the office, then overseen by John Hallenberger. When he retired 10 years later, he encouraged her to run.

“In that first election, I wasn’t sure if I’d get it or not, there were three other people running,” she said, adding one person eventually dropped out. “I just thought, here’s an opportunity, let’s see where I go with it.”

Ihrke never faced another challenge; she ran unopposed every four years. In March, county commissioners voted to move both the auditor and treasurer to appointed positions.

The change didn’t change a thing for her. “I just continued to do my job,” she said.

Over four decades, Ihrke has seen a lot of change–mostly in the use of technology. In 1980, less than 10 percent of people had computers in their homes. Microsoft was just a few years old; Apple Computers celebrated its fourth birthday on April 1.

When it came to elections, employees in the auditor’s office often didn’t get home until the wee hours of the morning, as they hand-counted votes. 

“We went from paper ballots to punch cards to central count to precinct counters,” Ihrke said. “Each one of those was an improvement along the way.”

Computers can also produce reports that couldn’t be compiled by hand, and they make taxes much easier to process–although Ihrke still double-checks the work.

“I still check by hand to make sure (the computer) is doing what it’s supposed to do,” she said. “The tax system is very complicated.”

The Auditor’s office also oversees the county’s ditches, another complicated system. There are 30 different ditch systems in Steele County, a few of which are shared with neighboring counties. The county must ensure they’re all in good repair, and that the money is available when repairs are needed.

One thing hasn’t changed much, Ihrke said, and that’s dealing with the public. People still have issues and concerns that need to be addressed. It’s a part of the job she has always enjoyed–although she admits to liking virtually all the work.

She also feels grateful for her team and her county co-workers, for the voters who kept electing her, and for the opportunity to serve as county auditor. Ihrke hopes the systems now in place will help her successor–who hasn’t yet been selected. For now, Chief Deputy Auditor Brenda Blood will serve as the department administrator.

In retirement, Ihrke plans to take care of projects put off for lack of time, to help out more with her nine grandchildren, and continue contributing in the community wherever she can. The Owatonna resident is also thinking about travel.

But her first challenge will likely be getting used to the life of a retiree. Leaving after all this time will be a bit of an adjustment, she admits.

“I like my job, and when you like your job, it makes the time go by faster,” Ihrke said, “and before you know it, it’s been 42 years.”