Mahaska County Clerk Of District Court Mary Sexton Retires

Clerk of Court Mary Sexton addresses her friends, family and co-workers Thursday afternoon at a gathering in her honor.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The main Mahaska County courtroom was packed with only supporters for this occasion, as the person sitting in the witness box, Mary Sexton, was there this time to witness the caring and stories from her co-workers. She also had the opportunity to share her thoughts on retiring from the position she has held since 1989.

Her friends and co-workers District 8 Chief Judge James Blomgren and District Associate Judge Randy DeGeest presided over the packed main courtroom as family, friends, past and present co-workers either got up to speak about their time working with Mary, or just stopped to give her a hug, say a thank-you, wipe a tear, and wish her well.

Mary Sexton started in the Clerk of Courts Office in January of 1977 as Deputy Clerk but by January of 1989 she was unanimously appointed as the Clerk of Court serving in that capacity for 23 years.

“I love the people that I work with. A wonderful judicial family, they are very caring and supportive, very dedicated to their positions. It’s an interesting job, never one day is the same as the next,” Mary said about what she liked most about her job and the people she worked with.

“I feel that our office has served the community very well during my 35 years. We try to accommodate their needs in the parameters we are allowed by the Code of Iowa,” Mary also said.

Mary had to think some time when I posed the question of something she didn’t like about her job. “That’s a hard one,” she said to me. “Probably the budget cuts and the lay-offs were the most difficult.”

Upon retiring, Mary plans on spending more time with her daughter, son-in-law, and new granddaughter that is due in January.

I know that I personally am thankful for Mary’s guidance and advice to me while I have been learning the ropes of covering the courts in Oskaloosa.