Jean Pestorious said she always enjoyed going to work for 30 years at Schweigert Foods in Albert Lea. She worked her way up from a line worker, and retired as general manager.

So it only made sense that when she chose to retire from her job, she’d choose to continue to be busy with things that matter to her.

“I like to be busy, I like Albert Lea, and what I do has to do with kids, ShineFest and my church,” said Pestorious, who is being recognized as Freeborn County’s Outstanding Female Senior Volunteer Wednesday at the Freeborn County Fair. Pestorious also makes time to do things with her family, which includes three daughters, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Pestorious grew up on a farm northwest of Alden. “I grew up with the old work ethic that everyone did their share,” she said.

She graduated from Mankato State University with degrees in biochemistry and physical education. “It was a good fit for the food industry, even though I had a teaching degree,” she said. Working with people meant she did some teaching and practiced some psychiatry and some psychology, she added.

Pestorious is a past president of the Albert Lea Noon Kiwanis Club, which focuses its projects on the needs of kids. She’s been part of building a new playground and basketball courts. She was named the 2008 Kiwanian of the Year.

She’s worked with the United Way of Freeborn County for seven years and has served on the allocations committee and as board secretary. She’s also worked on “Week of Caring” projects.

“I like the United Way because it serves such a diverse population — kids, seniors, families and Scouts,” Pestorious said.

She’s been a volunteer for ShineFest and has been involved with lake, downtown and schools cleanup projects.

She’s active at Trinity Lutheran Church, where she is a member of the church council, and has served as chairwoman for the church’s involvement with the Loaves and Fishes project, cooking hot meals for low-income members of the community. She also serves on the life and mission committee there.

Pestorious is also active in the campaign against cancer. She has ridden for 15 years in the Freeborn County American Cancer Society Bike-a-thon and is Trinity’s co-chairwoman for the Relay for Life. Since she lost a son-in-law to pancreatic cancer, doing her part to help fund research for a cure is important, she said.

Pestorious is also active as a member of the State Line Safety Committee and is a member of the Albert Lea Elks Lodge. When she’s not busy volunteering, she enjoys golf and bowling.

Fellow Kiwanian Dick Paul nominated Pestorious for the honor.

“Jean Pestorious lives and serves the people and families in Freeborn County as a genuine example of ‘love your neighbor,’” Paul wrote. “Her compassionate stewardship affects a wide range of our people and youth, including the less fortunate, elderly, our schools, city and lakes.”

The Rev. Curtis Zieske, in an endorsement letter on Pestorious’ behalf, wrote: “As I have spoken with folks who know Ms. Pestorious and have come to not only appreciate but rely on her steadfast and willing service, these are some of the things that they highlighted on her behalf. Some comments that were made include: ‘Ask Jean. She will make sure it gets done!’ ‘Jean is a quiet leader,’ meaning that the project gets done without a lot of fanfare or attention-gathering on her part. ‘She is a leader by example.’ ‘Jean will call folks and round them up for service.’”

Vicki Lunning, president of the Noon Kiwanis Club, wrote, “Jean cares deeply about this community and does all she can to make it a great place to live and very special to leave for the next generation. … Jean believes that the youth of this community are our future and whatever we can give to them will come back to this community many times over. It doesn’t have to come back to her directly but to anyone and everyone.”