COVID-19 has had many unintended consequences. For the Community Transit program run by United Community Action Partnership, the missed opportunity to celebrate a dedicated driver is among them.
Leah Van Meeteren retired on April 30 after 30 years as a public transit bus driver. While ongoing restrictions on public gatherings prevent the kind of celebration they had hoped for, Community Transit staff members still want Van Meeteren to know how valued her service was.
They’re hoping many in the community will help shower her with cards and memories.
“Leah provided safe and friendly service to thousands of passengers and drove countless miles over the past 30 years,” said Community Transit Operations Manager Michelle Miranowski. “Everyone misses her.”
Van Meeteren joined Rock County on March 23, 1990, as a driver for the public transit system. It didn’t take long for her to develop a reputation in the best possible ways.
“If you were to ask any passenger or coworker to describe Leah, the first thing you would hear about is her friendly smile,” Miranowski said. “She always had a smile on her face and never hesitated to lend an arm when a passenger needed a little extra help.”
The next thing people would probably note is her commitment to making sure her bus was clean and ready for passengers.
Van Meeteren was notorious for keeping the buses spotless. She would spend the end of each day cleaning windows and washing the exterior, but she didn’t stop when the outside was clean.
“We can only imagine the piles of unclaimed hats and gloves she collected from seats,” Miranowski said. “It had a ripple effect. Leah set a high bar for keeping the buses looking sharp, and other drivers followed suit.”
Her three-decade career led to recognition as a great driver, as well.
Van Meeteren participated multiple times in the Minnesota State Bus Roadeo, a skills-based competition held each summer for public transit drivers across the state.
She placed in the top five of the small bus division many times throughout the years.
But she never cared much where she ranked.
Miranowski said, if you ask Van Meeteren about the Roadeos, “With a smile on her face, she will tell you that she enjoyed the friendly competition, and she will remember all the friends she made.”
Since people cannot gather to help celebrate the impact she made, Community Transit staff is organizing a card shower instead.
Anyone who would like to tell Van Meeteren how important her work was or simply wish her well may send cards to: 1578 171st Street, Luverne, MN 56156.