Employee Spotlight: Brenda Schroeder
For Brenda Schroeder, every workday at Nobles Cooperative Electric is about one thing — the members. As a Member Services Representative, Brenda knows that when someone calls with a question, concern, or need, it matters. And she does her very best to help, because she understands that behind every account is a person, a family, or a farm.
Brenda grew up just outside of Worthington — and she stayed in the area. She married local farmer Kevin Schroeder, and together they raised two children, a son and a daughter. Today, their family has grown to include five grandchildren, keeping life busy and full. Brenda joined Nobles Cooperative Electric in March of 1999, and in her more than two decades of service, she’s seen a lot of change.
As a kid, Brenda remembers helping her parents — who were also Nobles Cooperative Electric members — take meter readings calling them in or writing them on the bill. She found out after coming to work at the cooperative that “They weren’t always accurate,” she laughs. “Sometimes people just guessed.” Today, everything is automated and incredibly precise — just one of many changes she’s witnessed, from handwritten ledgers to a system that’s now largely online and automated.
When Brenda started at Nobles Cooperative Electric, she stepped into some very big shoes — filling the role previously held by Doris Dahlhoff for more than 40 years. From the very beginning, Brenda has brought dedication, care, and a genuine commitment to our members. She approaches her work with patience, attention to detail, and a true desire to help, and it shows in the way she serves everyone who walks through our doors or calls with a question.
Brenda understands that members have different expectations, too. Some appreciate a detailed paper bill and like to keep a close eye on the numbers, while others just want to know their lights will stay on. Finding that balance — serving multiple generations with different needs — is something Brenda takes in stride.
Having grown up on a farm and farming alongside her husband, Brenda knows firsthand how important reliable power is. She still remembers the 1996 ice storm, when power was out for nearly a week and their family had to stay elsewhere. “We really take electricity for granted these days,” she says, “but sometimes we forget that it still belongs to Mother Nature.”
Despite the challenges that come with the job, Brenda remains grateful every day — especially for the people she works with. From her fellow office staff to the lineworkers out in the elements, she has immense appreciation for the teamwork that keeps the cooperative running.
As Brenda puts it, “Every day is a good day — because every day, we get the chance to help someone.” And that mindset is exactly why she’s such a valued part of Nobles Cooperative Electric.
