Aging Well: October winner, Erma Snodgrass, going strong at 92

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Though Erma Snodgrass has technically retired twice, she still goes to work nearly every day at the age of 92.

Erma is the October recipient of the Aging Well Award, sponsored by Freudenthal Home Based Healthcare and News-Press NOW. After retiring as a teacher in Kansas and spending a brief time overseeing a daycare in Missouri, she told her husband that she could not simply sit around at the far outside of St. Joseph and do nothing. So, she applied for a job at the local Fast Gas station where they usually got gas, and twenty-four years later, she is still there, greeting customers and helping to keep things in order.

"I couldn't stand just staying at home," Snodgrass said. "I know that when you retire and just sit down and don't do anything, your mind and body just deteriorates."

Even though her husband passed away about seven years ago, Erma said she still comes in to work and loves to see the smiles of customers, both familiar and new, and said that spreading smiles to others keeps her going. Her manager added that she has been among the most trusted employees at the station and hopes she continues her work.

To nominate someone 55 or older for the monthly Aging Well Award, go to newspressnow.com/agingwell.