MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The laughs flowed easily with an undercurrent of respect evident for Central Electric Cooperative’s longtime general manager on Friday.
Ken Schlimgen will be officially stepping down on July 1st from the post after 41 years and 5 months with the company. Schlimgen is more than just a manager, he is Central Electric’s liaison to the community. A staple at county fairs, public events, and schools, Schlimgen is also an anchor for civic organizations like the Mitchell Lions and United Way. It was joked on Friday that Schlimgen has likely stepped foot onto the yard of every business within Central Electric’s eight-county service area.
There were two farewell ceremonies for Schlimgen on Friday. The first was among coworkers at the co-op’s Betts Road office. Mitchell Now was in attendance. It was apparent within minutes of walking in the door that the co-op is like a family. Schlimgen said a few words with the theme on unity and working together. He was then showered with several creative gifts.
First, there was the campy photo book that looked like it was straight out of a Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly movie. Then there was a plaque featuring a gold-plated map of the eight counties that Schlimgen now knows like the back of his hand. The final present was a trap gun and wall mount hand made with care by a fellow board member.
The party moved into Mitchell proper at the Highland Conference Center, which was intended to be a venue for politicians and other community members to celebrate Schlimgen. Perhaps the biggest honor is waiting until July 1st, which has been proclaimed by Governor Larry Rhoden as “Ken Schlimgen Day” across the entire state of South Dakota.
Schlimgen’s retirement will be anything but quiet. He was recently elected to be a city council member for Ward 3 in Mitchell.