91-year-old Woman celebrated 19 years of dedicated service at ...

30 Mar 2024

WSAW

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - Staff at an Eau Claire McDonald’s surprised one of their longtime employees Friday for her 19 years of dedicated services there at the restaurant.

June Zilmer isn’t your typical employee though. At 91 years old, Co-General Manager, Janessa Comstock, said June’s presence is just a joy to be around.

“June has made a large impact. She is truly the grandma of the restaurant. She takes care of everyone. She checks in on everyone every day, on a personal level as well as a business level,” Comstock said.

Zilmer said she was speechless when she walked in.

“I can’t even say what it means because it means so much. This is a family of mine and they stuck with me all these years, isn’t that something?” she said.

Zilmer is the oldest worker at the restaurant, but Co-General Manager Like Honl said that doesn’t stop her from lighting up the whole room when she’s around.

“June defines the restaurant,” Honl said. “Everybody loves her. She sets the tone in the lobby. The whole mood changes when June gets here. She is just amazing.”

Not only does she help provide positivity to everyone in the restaurant, but Zilmer said they all do the same for her.

“It’s home. It’s my home away from home because if I’m down, I can come here, and there are people that will lift me up,” Zilmer said.

Family and friends all came to the celebration to congratulate Zilmer, with cake and presents, and even presented her with a letterman jacket, symbolizing how one in eight Americans have worked at McDonald’s.

“All of us that are working here are one of eight. But June has got the special Letterman jacket that we have awarded her today, to be able to symbolize that to the community,” Comstock said.

Zilmer said she has no plans to retire and wants to keep her position for as long as she is able.