80-year-old paper lady still delivering news years ago
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Elva Holub is known as the "paper lady" at Lincolnville. Every morning, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, she gets up at 4:30 to prepare for delivering newspapers to 33 residents.
An hour later, she gets in her car, drives to a residence, gets out of her car, and deposits The Salina Journal at the door.
She continues on in this manner until the job is complete, usually returning home at about 6:30 a.m.
On Sundays, Holub also delivers The Wichita Eagle.
The 80-year-old woman began delivering newspapers in 1993.
"I didn't want to do it. I was afraid of the weather," she said.
She was assured the job would be temporary, just until a permanent replacement could be found. Now, she's in her 11th year. She started out walking from house to house, but now uses her vehicle.
"I've always enjoyed being out in early morning," she said. "I have nice customers so I don't mind doing it."
She is especially mindful of older residents who have trouble getting around. Placing the paper conveniently at their door means they only need to step out and pick it up.
Marguerite Jirak of Lincolnville is a substitute for Holub when she is unable to fulfill her duties. Jirak also goes along when the weather is bitterly cold or icy to watch that Holub doesn't fall.
Holub underwent heart bypass surgery in August and was laid up for a while. But after a month or so, she was back on the job. Daniel Klein, 14, assisted her. She drove the car and he delivered the newspapers.
"It's a good thing I can count on somebody," she said.
Holub was widowed in 1974. She moved to Lincolnville in 1985, where she worked at the grocery and liquor stores.
She is an active member of Lincolnville Senior Citizens and the Altar Society at Pilsen's Catholic church.
She has four children including daughter Doris and husband Larry Maltbie of Canton and daughter Donna and husband Gene Shramek, who live in Nevada. Her two sons, Pat and wife Linda and Mike and wife Pauline live at Marion. She also has 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Holub plans to continue her paper route as long as possible.
"Whenever I get to where I can't do it anymore, I guess I'll have to quit," she said.
