Mary Sue (pictured) got a sweet surprise in the form of this board of good wishes put together by Checking Services rep and coworker Kathy Wagner. “She’s a delight,” Kathy says, “thoughtful, knowledgeable and helpful.” Kathy created a fun way to convey her department’s good wishes. Here’s a sample of candyspeak: “Since you’re one of our favorite Hot Tamales, we were going to give you 100 Grand for your retirement.” Other wrappers indicate that friends didn’t think she would want to go into Orbit around the Milky Way, but they did wish her Mounds of good luck.

“North Shore Bank is not just one of many best places to work; it is the BEST place to work!” says Mary Sue Rasinske.

After nearly 30 years on the job, she ought to know. “The atmosphere is relaxed and the employees are so nice,” she says. Such high regard for an employer and coworkers makes it difficult to leave, but she says, “It’s time.” She retires today.

A former elementary school teacher, Mary Sue spent a few years at home raising her children and then was ready to return to the workplace. She worked for North Shore Savings and Loan for a month in 1985 filling in for an absent staff member. She discovered how much she enjoyed working in what was then the NOW Accounts department.

She was happy to accept a part-time position soon after. When a full-time opening became available, she moved into that position. She later became the senior checking services representative, followed by supervisor of the checking department in 1993. She returned to her role as senior checking services representative in 2009, all the while continuing to call our Brookfield headquarters home.

Manual operations evolve with technology advances
Anyone who has been in banking for 30 years has seen phenomenal change. “We used to spend many hours each week filing signature cards in what then were called NOW Accounts,” she remembers. “It was a thankless and never-ending task. Now we scan the opening card into our system so anyone at the bank can access the signature.”

She adds, “We used to spend many hours a week preparing statements for mailing. Checks had to be sorted, matched to the statement, and then stuffed into envelopes along with brochures before they were mailed to customers.” Now, she notes, the bank does not return checks in customer statements, preferring that they receive an e-statement.

Mary Sue also will take with her fond memories of managers Bill Schaus and Jan Konkol, and VP Jude Lengell. “All were very helpful and instrumental in guiding me, promoting me, and making the Customer Support Center what it is today.”

Gail Fraunfelder was another valued mentor. “When I started at North Shore Bank, Gail trained and guided me in such a warm and caring way. She was only in her early 30s, but she developed cancer and died not long after.” There is a maple tree planted in her honor in McKenna Park behind our Brookfield headquarters. Bank management arranged for the tree and plaque mounted on a large boulder in front of it. The plaque reads “Gail … a good friend, a special person … ”

Rasinskes prepare for change of pace
Mary’s husband, Dan, retired 13 years ago, so he welcomes her new flexibility. “We enjoy going to Door County and taking in the different seasons,” she says. She also plans to read and find time to volunteer. “It will be nice to pick and choose when and if you want to work on a particular day.”

The Rasinskes are Brewers fans, so they’ll be able to take in more daytime games — and benefit from senior citizen deals. They’ve had season tickets to UWM for 15 years. “We’ll continue to follow the UWM basketball team,” she says.

Their offspring look forward to seeing more of their parents. Lisa, 44, is an operations supervisor at a financial institution, and Dan, 42, is a wealth management adviser for another financial institution (neither works for NSB). Susan, 36, is in social work/case management at a hospital. Lisa and Dan each have two children, so there will be more time for the grandkids as well.

Mary Sue’s parting advice for new staff members and those hoping to advance is timeless: “Be friendly, be nice, be considerate, be genuine, put the customer first, smile.”

It worked for Mary Sue! Here’s what a colleague has to say:

“Mary Sue has always been dedicated and diligent. When I worked in the branch network and needed some back-office, after-hours assistance, I would try Mary Sue’s number, and she would be there to help. I could count on her then as well as later when I joined the Customer Support Center. She is knowledgeable, reliable, and dedicated to her job, her coworkers, and her customers. Enjoy retirement with Dan, the kids, and the grandkids. You’ve earned it!”  — Assistant Vice President of Deposit Operations Cindy Hundt