Tax preparer commuted from Burrton since ’70
News editor
Wanda Meier has been doing taxes for people in Marion for 50 years, and she’ll continue to do so, but only if they’re willing to drive to Burrton.
The annual tax-season treks Meier has made since she and her husband, Bob, moved from Marion in 1970 are coming to an end. The 77-year-old tax preparer has decided it’s time to give up the hazards of winter driving that came with weekly round trips of more than 100 miles.
“I just didn’t think I needed to do that anymore,” Meier said. “I’ve thought that for a couple years already. It isn’t too pleasant to drive that far. My hair was already white.”
Meier said she set up shop each year at Carlson’s TV and Satellite on Maple St., and that she’s going to miss having meals and snacks catered by Shirley Carlson.
“Shirley would always bring me supper,” Meier said. “She would always surprise me with something she’d made, like cookies. I don’t know if she’d claim me, but I’ll kind of miss talking with her because she kind of became a relative.”
Meier may be closing up shop in Marion, but she’s already gearing up for tax season, having recently attended one of several tax schools that keep her up to date with changes in the tax code.
“I’m not quitting here at my home,” Meier said. “I’ll still be here six days a week. We have a lot of people who contact us in December, farmers especially. I usually stay busy until the middle of May.”
For the time being, Meier plans to hold open spots for Marion-area customers on Thursdays, the same day she used to come to Marion. She just won’t be driving to Marion to serve them.
“Every time it snows I’ll say ‘I’m glad I don’t have to go,’” she said.