The Rhinelander Daily News - Online news and information for the Rhinelander, Wisconsin region

Eight years ago Peggy Kunda announced she was going to retire at age 55, and she has stuck to her plan. Monday, Jan. 12, is the last day of work for Kunda, comptroller for the city of Rhinelander.

Kunda sat for an interview Tuesday in the office she has occupied for the past 22 years.

“I’m lucky, I’ve had two jobs that lasted, with Oneida County and the city of Rhinelander. I worked for Oneida County for 13 years, starting in social services. Then I worked for the Office of Veteran’s Service and Emergency Government and finally with the County Clerk’s Office where I worked in accounting.”

While working for Oneida County she attended Nicolet College, taking one course a semester for eight years. She was awarded an accounting degree in June 1987. She started as comptroller for the city in July of that same year.

“I succeeded Lorraine Klug, the world’s greatest accountant,” said Kunda laughing. “I was appointed by Mayor Joe Bloom and worked under mayors Waldvogel, Kinnunen, Jenkins and Johns.”

As comptroller, Kunda has been responsible for all of the city’s accounting. She pays all the city’s bills, takes care of the payroll, prepares the budget and calculates the tax rates.

Kunda also helped usher in the era of computers.

“This story goes back to when I started. We were just going to computers. They didn’t work all that well. It was stressful. My brother sent me a cartoon, a skeleton sitting at a computer with the question ‘Computer been down long?’ At least we don’t have that problem anymore.”

Kunda grew up in Starks and is a graduate of Rhinelander High School, class of 1971.

“I was told I was good at math,” said Kunda. “My idea of entertainment is to sit and watch television and play sudoku.

“I’ve loved this job, it was everything. There were so many important things that happened while I was here. American Plastics came to town, and Laser Pros, Wal-Mart, Foster and Smith, the Job Service Center and the golf course. I recorded it all. I kept the record.

“The city’s legacy to me was the friends I’ve made, the comrades, the people I’ve worked with. I’m going to miss the new stuff coming down the road. I’m going to miss what Bill Bell, the new city administrator is going to do.”

Julie Ostrander is taking over for Kunda and will have a new title, finance director. The job will be more management oriented and Ostrander will also have an assistant.

The job isn’t everything to Peggy Kunda, she is also celebrating two years of marriage to her husband John.

“It took me 27 years to catch him,” said Kunda. “We dated off and on. He’s from Sugar Camp. We hike, bicycle, kayak, generally enjoy the outdoors.

“We love to camp, tent camp. I’ve camped in Hawaii on the beach at $6 a night. The only way I got to retire at age 55 is by scrimping. My last car was 17 years old.”

The future for Kunda includes some warm weather.

“I’m going to wrap up my mom and take her to Florida. She broke her hip, twice. We rented a place in the Florida Keys.

When we get back I’ll do some volunteer work. I serve breakfast at Friendly Village. That kind of stuff feels good right now. I don’t have to worry about making a buck now. We’ll stay in Rhinelander. I’d like to say thanks to the taxpayers and the city of Rhinelander for the great job. I hope I served them well.”

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Butch wrote on Apr 2, 2009 10:00 PM:

" Congrats on the retirement and also Happy anniversary to you both! You are good friends and neighbors both! "

Bob wrote on Jan 7, 2009 10:00 AM:

" Peggy Kunda watch out if you come to Florida you know what they say once you get sand in your shoes you will always return better yet make your home ere. Today it is 80 degrees not bad for January, my wife and I were born and raised in Rhinelander but came here long time ago and have never regretted it the best move we ever made. Good luck to you and your husband and mother you will enjoy Key West only 90 miles from Cuba you know. "

Grateful citizen and taxpayer wrote on Jan 7, 2009 9:53 AM:

" Peggy Kunda has done a wonderful job. Thank you very much, Peggy, and enjoy your freedom! "

The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News.