Wilma Bach is retiring today. After working 17 years with the Artesia School Employees Credit Union, she has "a list as long as Santa’s " of things she wants to do, starting tomorrow.

Bach considers herself lucky to have been a stay-at-home mom from 1962 to 1985. Then, like many mothers do when the kids head to college, she headed to the job market.

She was hired part-time at the credit union by Warren Johnston, father of the present credit union manager, Ronnie Johnston.

With only three employees, she says, "Everyone did a little of everything — whatever was needed." Johnston was an instructor in business at Artesia High School, than ran the credit union after school, for the convenience of the school employee members.

Credit unions are, by definition, members pooling money together to save and borrow. Ronnie Johnston describes it as a cooperative, "not for profit, not for charity, but for service."

And in the early days, the Artesia School Employees Credit Union was a very modest not-for-profit organization.

Bach recalls that teacher Leonard Witcher was one of the first members, "He needed a few hundred dollars for a car, so he drove to Loco Hills to pick up a deposit, so the credit union would have enough money to make the loan."

From its humble beginnings, the credit union has now grown to include not only school employees, but employees of the City of Artesia, Central Valley Electric Cooperative, Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative and Yates Corp.

Bach has found, "Business people are wonderful members. CVE was the first of four new companies. We’re the only credit union in town and I think people appreciate that we are hometown."

Artesia School Employees Credit Union moved into their new facility at 210 N. Fifth St. in October with a total of nine employees, right at 2,600 members and assets of an impressive $22 million.

When asked what changes she has seen with the growth of the organization, Bach explains, "It has changed some, but we are most proud of how it hasn’t changed – the personal involvement.

"The best part of my job is that I have been blessed to be a part of people’s lives.

"We’ve sent children to school and adults back to school. We’ve been there for anniversaries, when a young man purchases a diamond engagement ring and of course, loans for cars. Wheels are very important here.

"One of my favorite things is that we’ve been able to help people in baby adoptions.... It’s terribly expensive — about $25,000 — people don’t have that in their pockets.

"It is very satisfying to be there when unexpected expenses arise."

Ronnie Johnston says of Bach, "She has been my right hand for 11, 12 years now. I would say she truly exemplifies the credit union philosophy — people helping people.

He continues, "She has done an outstanding job. She has the patience of Job and would bend over backwards for the members."

Bach moved to Artesia with her family in 1950 from Dodge City, Kan. Her father ran Artesia Shoe Store and her mother was a homemaker.

After graduation from Artesia High School, Bach was secretary to L.W. Brummett, an officer of People’s State Bank.

When she and Albert Bach married and started a family, she stayed home with the youngsters. For that she remains grateful, "Years with your kids go by so fast — we don’t know what happens to those years."

Albert Bach is a retired educator, concluding his career with a 14-year stint as principal for Abo school. He now ranches west of Artesia.

Asked if she is excited about her planned retirement party today, Bach says yes, but she also considers the April annual meeting with about 450 credit union members present a great going away. She received, "a huge, absolutely gorgeous bouquet of Ms. America red roses!"

Bach now looks forward to spending more time with family and friends, to updating her computer skills, and to taking some craft classes, probably at the senior center.

Will she help out at the ranch? She grins and says, "Maybe a little. I’ve been known to open a gate."

But at the top of her "long as Santa’s list" is seeing the couple’s children, who both live in Texas.

Son, Joel is in San Marcos where he teaches at Southwest Texas University and manages the school’s ranch and wildlife program.

Daughter, Tracy Isgitt lives in College Station where she uses her Special Education degree to consult on childhood development.

Bach is looking forward to the trip East, which is in the works for mid-May.