Return to Waseca

Newly-hired staff members at the Waseca County Recorder's office have been able to begin their jobs with confidence for quite some time now, all thanks to Linda Karst’s willingness to step in and teach them the ropes.

As the former Waseca County Recorder, Karst knows just how important it is for things to run smoothly in this line of work. So, when asked to come back just two-and-a-half months after officially retiring, she jumped in head first. She loves that she can work as little or as much as she would like, calling it a “bonus.”

“I think they’re pretty happy to see me,” she said. “They needed some help and I was glad to give it.”

Karst says that being semi-retired suits her. And, since a leisurely pace is a somewhat new lifestyle for her, she says she has been spending time with her extended family and retired friends. (Somewhere, tell us when she began working in the recorder’s office, when she became recorder, and how long she remained in the position. Mention what month (apparently this year) she retired.)

“It is the best of both worlds,” she said. “I’m planting flowers, and catching up on projects at home. I’m involved in Relay for Life and that’s going to take up a lot of time for the next several months.”

Back at the office, she claims it’s her “absolute pleasure” to help new staff members learn the ins and outs of various procedures, always assuring that accuracy remains paramount. She says verifying information is what makes her tick; fortunately, from what she can tell, her proteges seem to be quick studies.

“I had been there quite a few years learning, but the office has new employees now and it takes a while to learn legal descriptions,” she said. “It won’t be long and I’ll work myself out of my part-time job.  They’re catching on pretty fast.”

Providing this all-inclusive crash course on office logistics is no easy task, but it’s one that must be approached with confidence. Karst adopted this exact mentality while helping begin a new program before tendering her resignation as the Waseca County Recorder (give month).

“I spearheaded the Fraud Prevention program because I want the residents of Waseca County to feel safe when it comes to protecting one of their biggest investments, their home,” she said.

She added, “My predecessor started getting the recorder’s office into digital copies and newer technology,” she said. “Since then, we’ve upgraded even more by implementing eRecording.”

In addition to riding the technology wave, she certainly had her fair share of switching office plaques. But, by no means was it her life’s mission to rise to the top. Things just sort of worked out in a nice, natural progression.

“I didn’t really plan on being the Waseca County Recorder,” she said. “I enjoyed being the deputy recorder and having a boss in the office. I wasn’t sure I wanted the responsibility of being the recorder.”

Although an admittedly scary change, she eventually decided that becoming department head was “the next step.” So, she took the plunge and ran for election a total of four times.

“I definitely think the job chose me,” she said. 

And now, as she gets an outsider’s view of the accomplishments and changes she supervised, she says she feels very grateful to a co-worker who started her down the path to becoming recorder. 

“I couldn’t read a map much less draw a legal description when I first started,” Karst said. “I was looking for part-time work because I had a young family. The years flew by and after being in the same office, it does become a part of your identity.” This was especially true, she says, of when she took office as Waseca County Recorder.