By Katie Tolmachoff
Char Strunk, secretary at Mark Twain Middle School, is retiring after nearly 30 years of service in education, 20 of them with the Silver Falls School District.
At times, Strunk jested, the workplace has felt like a three-ring circus. Perhaps that explains her enormous collection of elephants of various size, texture and shape surrounding her desk, hanging from the ceiling and perched on shelves throughout the school office. Many of these elephants have stories or memories of the co-workers, students, or students’ parents who gave them.
Strunk admitted that she hadn’t even noticed when a yellow elephant was stolen from her shelf by Jeanette McGilvray and Sheryl Chance. She only discovered it missing when photos of “Trunk” on an Alaskan cruise posing with the ship’s captain were circulating around the office. “Trunk” now takes trips around the world and it is rumored that there is a whole album of his travels. “I’m living vicariously through Trunk,” Strunk said.
But just as an elephant never forgets, neither will students, parents and staff members forget what Strunk has meant to them all of these years.
Her employment and efforts in education started with helping out at her daughter, Cara’s, school. After several years volunteering and then working as secretary at Butte Creek Elementary School in the early 1980s, she was hired as the confidential executive secretary to David Campbell, then-deputy superintendent of Clackamas Education Service District.
After nine years at the ESD, Strunk applied for the secretary position at Mark Twain Middle School and was hired by former principal Dale Koger, who now is the principal at Evergreen School.
Andy Bellando, director of personnel of Silver Falls School District, also worked with Strunk during his 13 years at Mark Twain, two as vice-principal and 11 as principal. “I can’t talk about Char without recalling all of the positive influence she’s had on everybody. She wrote the book about providing the welcoming energy and creating an amicable environment for all, whether with verbal accolades, varying one-liners, witty conversation, literal consoling or a congratulatory embrace.”
Strunk’s retirement is a bittersweet thought for Bellando. “It’s bitter to lose her, but the sweet side is that she deserves it!”
Strunk mused over her career with incredulity. “It does not seem like I’ve been here (at Mark Twain) for 14 years. Every day is a new day, a new experience. My job’s never boring, especially since that new guy came on,” Strunk said with a mischievous tone, referencing Mark Twain’s new principal, Les Keele, who, after hearing mention of himself, leaned his head out of his office and grinned a very affectionate grin at his “right-hand man.”
When asked about the differences in today’s middle school students compared to when she first started working, Strunk did not hesitate.
“In the 1980’s, seventh and eighth graders did not use the language they do now. They were more appropriate in dress and talk, and more respectful to their elders – they rarely sassed or talked back. Parents would be horrified back then if they ever got a phone call home about their child.”
She is surprised that students nowadays feel they have to express themselves with inappropriate words. “To me,” Strunk said, “it’s like a popular comic show business. They could still tell a really funny joke without using swear words. I don’t think anybody needs to talk that way to another human being.”
Strunk expressed that it is all the more reason that school staff and educators continue evincing care and respect to students and one another in hopes that the students will realize the importance of “the Golden Rule.”
Community involvement is at the head of the retirement plan list. She wants to continue volunteering as a reading mentor at Eugene Field Elementary, where granddaughters Allison and Sarah will be attending next year. She also likes the idea of helping in the development of the new Senior Center in Silverton. “I’m a people person. I want to be involved around people.” She added that she hopes to be more active in her church, Silverton’s First Christian.
Allison and Sarah will also see more of grandma since she will be available to transport them girls to ballet, swimming and other activities, and ultimately watch them enjoy those activities. She will spend more time as well with her long-time friend, Frieda Zitzelberger, her daughter’s mother-in-law. “Now that I’m retiring, we’re going to have fun!”
She’s been such a wonderful support for students, parents, and staff. She’s irreplaceable.
– Darby Hector, librarian at Mark Twain Middle School
There will be school secretaries before and after Char, but there won’t be anyone with a smile like hers.
– Jean Hadley, parent and fellow church member
Char’s like the other half of me. She says we’re the ventriloquist and the dummy. Sometimes I’ll start saying something and she’ll finish it. Then she’ll start saying something, and I’ll finish it.
– Lynette Lesire, co-secretary at Mark Twain Middle School
Char is a great part of the lives of so many people. – The Wilson Family
Char is such a happy person-always willing to hug and talk and hang out.
– Wendy Newkirk, friend of family
I’m jealous of her jewelry.
– Ginny Steinsland, friend of 35 years, fellow church member
She was always so helpful when I called the school to give Andy (Bellando) a hard time.
– Dennis Hadley, parent and fellow church member
Char always helped out – she always volunteered.
– Margie Olsen, friend of 30 years, Butte Creek business manager, retired
She’s made every person that came through her door, whether it be parent, student or staff member, feel like they were the most important person of the day.
– Pam Bridgehouse, Mark Twain teacher, retired
She always makes you feel that you’re one of her kids.
– Shelly White, former Mark Twain student 1997-99
It stinks because we’re really going to miss her. I hug her whenever I get the chance. My mom thinks Char is a doll.
– Nathan Trammel, Mark Twain 7th grader
Char is a survivor. – Eloise Hachler, friend of 35 years, fellow church member
Char has taken such good care of us all! – Jody Russ, parent
We’ve always clicked. We’re family; we spend every holiday together. Although some people are amazed, it just seems normal that we get along. I can’t imagine it otherwise.
– Frieda Zitzelberger, mother-in-law to Char’s daughter and long-time friend
Once when we went out to dinner, Char ordered lobster. When the dinner was over, lobster juice was everywhere—on the tablecloth, on several napkins, on everyone’s glasses and even on the hurricane lamps. – JoAnne Jessel, friend of 30 years, Butte Creek head cook, retired
Char’s always been the “other mother” for our family. She’s the one I called when I gave birth to the boys. She’s loved my boys as if she was their gram-mama. We call her “Nana Char.”
– Donna Bahr, Mark Twain teacher
One-of-a-kind laugh. – Olaf Bahr, long-time friend
Char started going to our church when I was in junior high school. We got to know each other, and she and I always stayed in contact, even through college. She has been a friend and mentor in my life, not just the school secretary. It makes coming home (to Silverton) feel really good that there’s still people thinking about you; it’s that fellowship that you have in a small town.
– Danika Beard, student at OIT, Klamath Falls
