After 32 years of service to the county, Lois Ahern, director of Freeborn County Public Health, will retire after the beginning of the new year.

Ahern submitted her letter of resignation, effective Feb. 20, 2011, to the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners Tuesday morning during their regular meeting.

“I’ve had a long and fulfilling career,” she said. “It’s presented challenges, growth, and I hope to leave the department and the community in a better position as a whole.”

She said one of her goals was always to retire in 2011.

Ahern joined Freeborn County Public Health as a public health nurse in October 1978. She accepted the position as director in 1993.

During her time with public health, Ahern has worked to grow a variety of programs offered to the public, including maternal and child health visits, home visiting programs for high risk parents, Women Infants and Children, and long-term care consultation.

In more recent years, emergency preparedness and working with SHIP have taken priority, as well.

“I reluctantly accept this, but I understand that all good things come to an end,” said District 1 Commissioner Glen Mathiason. “I appreciate your value and being here all these years.”

Ahern said she plans to work closely with Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever in ensuring a smooth transition for her replacement.

Kluever said county officials have already begun planning how to proceed with the position, and a number of options are available: rehiring someone for the director position, combining the position with Department of Human Services or even combining the position with another county.

In the event that nothing is solidified by March 1, 2011, then Kluever will become the interim director until the position is filled. He said numbers from the U.S. census also are a factor. If the county has less than 30,000 people, it must share with another county.

For now, Ahern’s future plans remain indefinite. She said she will take a few weeks off and enjoy the change of pace, but expects to take a part-time position again down the road.

“I just want to take some time and see what opportunities come up,” she said.