Lori MacGregor sworn in as Osmond’s new postmaster

OSMOND — Osmond has a new postmaster! Lori MacGregor of Plainview took the oath of Osmond as postmaster at Osmond on Tuesday, Aug. 4. A large crowd packed into the various rooms of the post office for the 11 a.m. ceremony.

Mrs. MacGregor succeeds Jo Sullivan who resigned on April 30 after more than 25 years with the postal service, and more than 12 years as postmaster in Osmond.

Father Tim Forget of St. Mary’s Catholic church gave the invocation, after which those present introduced themselves. The crowd included MacGregor’s husband and two of her daughters, as well as friends, fellow postal workers from around the area and Osmond area residents.

Osmond Mayor James Bessmer was present and welcomed MacGregor, then quipped, “Now we just need to get you to move to Osmond!”

Also present was Herman Kaup, a postmaster for 30 years, including 10 years in Osmond, from 1981 to 1991, who welcomed Lori to Osmond.

Dawn Bayer, manager of post office operations, read some trivia about the post office — including that it delivers to the bottom of the Grand Canyon via mule and to places in Alaska via dog sled, boat and plane — and noted that a female postmaster should never be referred to as a “postmistress.”

Bayer then administered the oath of office with Lori’s husband, Steve, holding the Bible for the ceremony. The benediction was delivered by Pastor Rodgers Chishiba of the United Methodist Church, after which refreshments were served.

Mrs. MacGregor was born and raised in Atkinson and graduated from Atkinson High School. She began her postal career in Plainview as a Part-time Flex clerk and was also loaned out to several area offices, as well as serving as Officer in Charge in some places. She commented that she remembered Herman Kaup from those years, as well as Bill Lorenz, who succeeded Herman as postmaster in 1993.

In addition to her husband, Steve, Lori’s family includes her children, Sophia MacGregor and Sarah (Skyler) Knust, who were both present at the ceremony, Nick (Kelli) MacGregor and Michelle (Kortney) Schramm and two grandchildren.

Lori commented, “It’s a wonderful town. You’ve been very welcoming to me, and I appreciate that. So I promise to do my best here.”