Sept. 3, 2018 – Washington Co., WI – On this Labor Day we celebrate the workforce and first jobs. During a morning chat Gene and Judi reminisced about their first paying jobs.
Gene earned 2-cents a pound picking green beans in West Bend.
“We were picked up at the West Bend Lithia Brewing Company and we got into trucks,” he said. “In order to make more money we’d put rocks into the gunney sacks.”
Judi worked in a ma and pa delicatessen. “We used to slice ham on Sunday mornings,” she said. “As a kid I was using the slicer without the guard and I sliced the end of my finger off.”
Gene also worked at Schultz Brother’s Dime Store in downtown West Bend.
What was your first job?
Other than babysitting, my first job was working for Golden Chuckene which was located on Hwy 45 in Barton. I was a chicken fryer gal and also took orders over the phone or from customers who came into the store. They also offered home delivery and Bill Gehk, Dave Washick delivered hot, crispy chicken and other delicious fried foods. I also babysat for the owners children on Fair Street.
My first job was washing dishes at Fay’s Family restaurant back in the later 1970’s. There were 2 locations. One was in downtown near the theatre and the other was on highway 33 which is now where the copper penny restaurant is located.