AUDUBON — It is estimated that Troy Hagedorn has walked 100,000 miles, that’s more than 4 times around the earth, during his 30-year career at the Audubon Post Office.
When stamps were 32 cents, Troy was working as a Meat Cutter at Ken’s Market in Audubon and expecting twins with his wife Monica Hagedorn. “With twins on the way, we needed extra money.”
He was hired part-time at the post office and would travel to work in Manning, Carroll, and Coon Rapids. “Early on we cancelled and sorted mail by hand, mail volumes were much greater then.” Troy recalls receiving an award for delivering 26 feet of mail in one day (roughly 6,500 letters). In 1997, Monica went into labor while Troy was walking the delivery route. “They came and got me off the route, and my twins Madison and Nathan were born.”
When asked what his favorite part of the job has been, his response speaks to Troy’s genuine nature, “The customers.” He’s enjoyed conversations, watching families grow, and getting to know their routines. Even the “friendly hello and wave” makes Troy appreciate the customers he serves. Troy recalls, “a time before cell phones,” when a customer had fallen and broken their hip at their front doorstep. Troy went inside and called 911 and comforted them until the ambulance arrived.
