ASSINIBOIA — In an age when the average person generally changes careers three times in their lives it’s uncommon to find the longevity in working life that we once knew. Lyle Erfle is going into his 52nd year of work and the people at Great West Auto Electric wanted to celebrate that milestone in a long working career.
Erfle started his job at Great West Auto Electric sometime in 1974.
“We really wanted to make this special,” stated Jennifer Hinds, manager at Great West, May 26.
The party ran from an hour before lunch break until early afternoon. A combine rotor had been turned into a barbeque and was borrowed from Case IH to cook the burgers and hot dogs to feed the crowd. Three large decorated slab cakes were brought in. The back parts area had tables set up to hold all the food and supplies so people could put together their choices for lunch. Coffee and iced tea were available. The mood was festive indeed.
Erfle has spent a good part of his career traveling out to all the smaller towns around making deliveries and knows a large number of people. That was quite evident by the way he was making introductions at the party. Friends, family, customers and colleagues came together Monday to celebrate.
As it happens the man of the hour has reached the status of octogenarian as well. The response to the query if Erfle is looking to retire had this response from his wife, Janice. “He says he hasn’t won the lottery yet.”
Included in the public that came to share the day were friends from businesses around Assiniboia.
The owners from head office in Swift Current were involved in celebrating as well. A couple people came down to work the front counter so most everyone from the Assiniboia location could run the party in the back. At any given time there were approximately 50 partygoers gathered in the available space. Words used to describe this man are vibrant and full of life. Is it any wonder that somewhere between 125 and 150 people came through the door to congratulate him. At 80 there is no sign of Erfle slowing down.
