It’s a tough time to be a health care worker, but for those of us in the community who may need to utilize their service, we are especially grateful for employees like Candace Wieger. When not helping our members at the Washburn drive-through, Candace also volunteers as an Emergency Responder and ambulance driver in the McLean County region.
“We make sure we are doing what we can to protect us more,” she assures us as she assists during this time of heightened concern for medical providers. Like many other health-care resources, she and her fellow volunteers are stocking up on additional gear and supplies.
Candace’s career spans more than just her work with Dakota West and her work continuing to train to become a certified EMT, her past work includes studying nursing and even working in Fantasyland at the Walt Disney World Resort. As if she isn’t multi-faceted enough, she also supports the staff of Dakota West with I.T. and technical support.
When the weather allows, she gets out and snowmobiles and enjoys traveling (especially visiting family and friends in Florida), but she also appreciates the individualized help she gives to our seasonal members when they return each spring. Regardless of the work she does in our branches or in our community, we value and appreciate having Candace as a part of the Dakota West team.
If you’ve only visited your local Dakota West branch, there’s a good chance you may have missed out on our little gem in Turtle Lake. One of the Member Service Representatives in our smallest branch, Lani Schafer, keeps the community traditions in eastern McLean County alive and well, brightens each day for our members, and represents Dakota West’s values.
Lani first joined Dakota West when the Turtle Lake Community Credit Union merged with Dakota West in 2002 and returned a second time after taking a break to spend time at home with her family. She’s part of a small-but-mighty team that works with her community partners every December to plan the annual Turtle Lake Santa Day, complete with sleigh rides, giveaways, and a visit from the big man himself.
Whether answering a common question like, “What’s my balance?” or a more complex challenge like assisting a member with attempted fraudulent purchases on a debit card, Lani works with members of communities from Underwood to McClusky, but speaks with members from all of our branches by phone.
“I don’t think people realize how many branches we have and that we are in many smaller communities.” Keeping that personal service in these communities is exemplified by Lani’s every day interactions. Last fall she organized surprise snacks for the girls’ volleyball team to take with them on their six-hour, round-trip bus ride to an away match.
When not serving our members or bringing joy to her local community, Lani enjoys traveling to warmer climates when it gets cooler in North Dakota, and spending time at her family’s cabin on a nearby lake when the days get long. If you are traveling throughout western North Dakota, stop in to one of our other branches, including a visit with Lani and her team in Turtle Lake.
