It’s a toss up as to who will miss her the most.

One thing’s for sure, with 44 years of service to the citizens of Kingfisher County, Jeannie Boevers will be missed.

As she hangs up her hat at the end of the year, Boevers is looking forward to her retirement, but will miss the people she’s enjoyed working with through the years.

Since 1981, Boevers has been an integral component of Kingfisher County government, most recently serving the past eight years as county clerk.

Before that, she spent 17 years working in the county clerk’s office and another 19 years in the treasurer’s office.

Boevers and her husband of 37 years, Keith, have two sons and two grown grandchildren.

She began her career serving as a first deputy under County Clerk Charlotte Majors, followed by Jane Hightower and then Judy Grellner.

In 1998, she transferred to the treasurer’s office, before being elected as county clerk in 2017.

Reflecting on the things she’s seen in her career, Boevers said one of the biggest changes came with the digital age and transition to computerization.

“When I first started working here, we didn’t have computers and everything was done by hand,” she said.

“I did the accounting part, payroll, purchase orders…so all the checks were handwritten at that time.”

It was during Hightower’s years as county clerk that full computerization came into play and Boevers said it was a big change going from handwriting to computers and they couldn’t do without them now.

Central to other county offices, Boevers said many things flow through the county clerk’s office.

Some of the many responsibilities within the county clerk’s office include serving as registrar of deeds, mortgages, liens, military discharge papers, acting as a purchasing agent, assisting with preparation of the budget, preparing county warrants, recording of appropriations and expenditures for each county office and various other tasks.

“Anything that has a legal description on it is filed in the county clerk’s office and all the bookkeeping for the county, payroll, bills and purchasing are done in our office,” Boevers said.

Additionally, the county clerk acts as secretary to various county boards, such as the board of county commissioners, excise/equalization board, tax roll corrections board and others, as well as organizing school budgets to be submitted to the auditor’s office at the state capitol.

As county clerk, Boevers said one change she implemented was to switch vendors on the accounting side to be in sync with the treasurer’s office.

“Instead of having two different programs, they now balance together,” Boevers said.

Other changes which make the office run more efficiently, Boevers said, is that the staff no longer has to write in the index books, as computerization now enables them to print out the necessary documents.

Recalling the most recent “oil and gas boom,” Boevers said another feature of the county clerk’s office is the addition of several computer stations which are available for landmen and others to access county records.

Some challenges Boevers said her office has faced are changes that come with new legislation.

“Every year new legislation comes out with changes and a lot comes through our office,” she said.

Reflecting on her career, Boevers said she has enjoyed the bookkeeping aspect, meeting people and having the opportunity to help people.

“I’ve enjoyed my whole time here and I’ve liked everybody I’ve worked with,” she added.

With over four decades of service to Kingfisher County, Boevers commented that when you work eight hours a day, it’s almost more time than you spend with your family and it’s been a big portion of her life she’s enjoyed, but is ready to retire.

She and Keith have one trip in the works, but other than that she said there are no particular plans and she’ll just see what happens day by day.

It’s not likely she’ll be slowing down much though.

Not one for sitting idly by, Boevers also has 20 years under her belt with Pioneer Telephone working parttime there during her time with the county.

She has also helped Keith and their son, Kenton, with their lawn-mowing business during her “down time,” and plans to continue to do that as well.

“I’ve enjoyed working for the county…it’s the only thing I’ve ever known,” Boevers said.

“I’m glad I made a career here.”

Of the many who will miss her around the courthouse, her deputies in the county clerk’s office are sure to be at the top of the list.

In January, Emily Lee, who serves as Boevers’ chief first deputy, will be sworn in as county clerk.

Expressing her appreciation and admiration for Boevers, Lee said: “I am beyond grateful to have spent the last eight years with Jeannie as our county clerk.

“I have not only made a wonderful life long friend, but was fortunate enough to have someone support me in my growth and knowledge of county government.

“If it weren’t for her guidance and faith in me as her employee, I don’t think I would be where I am today. I don’t have 44 years under my belt quite like Jeannie, so there will always be more to learn as the world is ever changing, but everything she has taught me will stick with me in my years as the county clerk elect. “I struggle with the idea of her not being here every day to work alongside, but I hope to make her proud in the years to come.” With many responsibilities of the job and some that come along only once a year, Boevers said she will still be available if Lee needs her assistance. “I appreciate the eight years I’ve been here as an elected official and appreciate the public’s support in electing me into office,” Boevers said. “It’s been good…I’ve enjoyed it.”