Three Generations of Dedication

After 27 years of service, Trudy Tracy retires her office chair for a saddle, a four-wheeler and a watering bucket

Story and photos by Dianna Troyer

Working at Raft River Electric Cooperative was more than a job, says Trudy Tracy, longtime member services representative.

“For me, it was a privilege, too, because I was a part of what my grandfather envisioned when he and others started our co-op back in the late 1930s,” says Trudy, who retired in July.

Her paternal grandfather, I.J. Neddo, realized electricity was needed to pump water from irrigation wells to raise crops and cattle. He and others established the co-op through the Rural Electrification Administration.

“I’m proud he was instrumental in bringing power to the Raft River Valley and was on the first board of directors,” Trudy says.

I.J. served as the board’s vice president. The co-op office was built about a mile from his house, which still stands next to the home where Trudy and her husband, Kevin, live.

“Dad was born in that house and was 12 when they got electricity in 1939,” Trudy says. “It was a single light bulb hanging from the kitchen ceiling. He used to tell us it was like a miracle, pulling that little chain and seeing the room light up.”

Trudy’s mother, Rosella Neddo, also worked at the co-op, retiring as billing clerk after 24 years of service. When she retired, Trudy was hired in July 1996. Between her and her mother, they have 50-plus years of service at the co-op.

Some members preferred to pay their bills in person, mostly to visit with Trudy.

“I’ve known many members all my life,” Trudy says. “Sometimes they would come in because they needed someone to listen and talk to or needed a hug if something sad had happened. It was always good to keep in touch.”

She worked with five general managers and many dedicated employees.

“Some stayed and some left for new jobs or retirement, and I always wished them well in their new endeavors,” she says. “We shared some bad things and some sad things at the REA, as does every family, but most of the time, it was good times and fun times working together. The people I worked with and all the new friends I’ve made while working there have given me a lot of lasting memories. Every day was interesting, and you never knew when you walked in the door what the day would bring.”

Trudy says she appreciated the opportunity to attend training sessions nationwide.

“No matter where you’re from, almost everyone has the same challenges with their members and jobs,” she says. “I also learned a lot about people in our different service areas and had a lot of interesting experiences over the phone and in person.”

During her first trip with the co-op to Jarbidge, Nevada, she and others were met with a parade.

“While serving food at community picnics in Jackpot, almost everyone who went through the food line—young and old—thanked us,” Trudy recalls.

Residents throughout the service area were always helpful, she says.

“I was always so grateful to people I worked with in Jackpot, Owyhee, Park Valley, Grouse Creek and other service areas who helped keep paperwork for services and moves straight and were helpful during power outages,” she says. “Without them, it would have been an impossible job.”

Friend To All
Colleagues and co-op members reminisce about Trudy.

No matter what was happening with Trudy, she always smiled and took time to listen. She made everyone she spoke with feel important.

She was enthusiastic when greeting customers, whether in person or on the phone. Trudy poured love and energy into customer engagement, which she took seriously.

When members came in to pay a bill or ship a UPS package, she made them feel welcome. By the time they left, they were smiling.

Trudy was friendly and happy with everybody. Every morning, she sincerely asked how those around her were doing. She had done so for years.

Included and Valued
Trudy always made sure people felt welcomed and included. At company summer parties, she made sure children all had a turn at the “fish tank.”

If some were too shy or didn’t make it, she would make a bag and give it to them so they got their treat or surprise. She made sure, too, that adults felt equally valued.

Trudy enjoyed learning about people’s hobbies or events in their lives and was always looking for the next Ruralite story. She asked about members’ children, their activities and lives in general. She sincerely cared about others and was an asset to the co-op and its members.

A New Favorite Day
Working at the co-op for nearly three decades, Trudy says she watched her co-workers’ families grow from babies to adults.

“I’ll miss out on the daily visits,” she says.

With more time at home, Trudy looks forward to working outside in her vegetable and flower gardens and helping with whatever needs to be done on the ranch—from moving cows to fixing water lines and fence, or “just riding shotgun with Kevin,” she says.

Although Trudy is no longer in the lobby to greet people, her presence will always linger in members’ homes through the ice cream scoop or sewing kits she picked for annual meeting gifts, like a long-distance smile.

Trudy is optimistic about retirement. She quotes a favorite line from “Winnie the Pooh:”

“Today is my new favorite day!”