Floriene Schroeder

Growing up as one of seven children, Floriene Schroeder has always been good with people.

With her 85th birthday coming up later this month, Schroeder – a Realtor with J.P. Weigand & Sons – said she has no plans to retire.

“I continue working because of the people,” Schroeder said. “… Some people say ‘I can’t wait to retire,’ but you better have a plan for when you do.

“I’ve always been a natural for meeting people and greeting people – it’s just my personality.”

Born in Wellington, Schroeder is a North High School graduate. She worked her first job at age 21 as a receptionist at the old Wichita Osteopathic Hospital.

“It didn’t take long before I outgrew that job,” she said. “There was no learning process for me because I grew up in a large family with lots of interaction.

“I knew I needed something that was more of a challenge.”

When Schroeder and her husband, Mel, began having children, she said she decided to be a stay-at-home mom and raise her kids. Once her youngest became a teenager, it was back to the workforce.

“We decided that once we had the foundation for our two children, I would take the Kansas real estate exam,” she said. “I did and I passed it and went to work for Lester Kappelman. I was a natural for suburban properties and that’s what my focus was.”

A Weigand agent since 1990, Schroeder said she would much rather keep working than lounge through her golden years.

“I love what I do,” Schroeder said. “I’m lucky to be in good health, so that’s part of it, but I love working, and I work for a great company.

“I’m not the type to sit around all day.”

This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 7:33 PM with the headline "Floriene Schroeder."