Kenosha Main teller Kay Christensen retires tomorrow, after nearly 10 years with the bank.

“I’ve worked a long time,” she says. “At my age, I just need more time to do things I want to do.”

Kay with 7-month-old Nora and 2-year-old Natalie.

Kay started in March 2008 with Bank of Kenosha, working as an administrative assistant for executive management. A few months after North Shore Bank acquired Bank of Kenosha in June 2013, it became apparent that the branch didn’t have a need for additional secretarial support. So she was offered the opportunity to become a teller in January 2014.

“I was very happy to become a teller!” Kay says. She laughs. “I mean, I got to keep my job. At first I wasn’t sure I’d like it, but I actually really did — I liked working with customers. I have met so many nice people since working at the bank. And once I learned everything, it was all good.”

There was a learning curve, she notes, because she’d never worked in the retail area of banking before. “There are regulations, and things you have to ask people,” she says. “You have to be very careful with other people’s money.

She thanks branch manager Julie Goebel and teller supervisor Wanda Pillizzi for their patience as she made the transition. They were glad to offer it.

“It was my pleasure daily to work with Kay,” Wanda says. “She is a wonderful person and has been my right hand in so many ways. She has touched so many lives and is treasured by all who know her.”

“Kay is always friendly and cheerful, and always has a warm smile for every customer,” Julie adds. “Over the last several years, she has helped many customers by offering products and services that best fit their financial goals, all while having their best interest at heart. She will truly be missed!”

Kay’s big plans now are to spend more time with her granddaughters, Natalie and Nora. She and her husband, Dennis, are also going on a Caribbean cruise.

“We’ve been doing it for 20 years, since our 25th wedding anniversary,” she says. “We go with friends from Tennessee that we actually met on a cruise. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”