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Karen Matteson will soon walk out of the Cascade School library for the last time, closing out 36 years as a school employee.

She and her husband first moved to Cascade in 1987. She began teaching elementary school when Jim Donovan was high school principal, Bruce Allen was elementary principal, and John Dallum was superintendent.

She worked in the elementary school for 25 years before becoming the K-12 librarian.

"The best part about working in a K-12 school has been watching the students grow and learn through all the grades, from little ones to young adults," she said.

She has fond memories.

"During my first 25 years as a classroom teacher, I worked with an incredible group of elementary teachers," she said. "We organized combined class projects, outdoor trips, plays, and field trips.

"It was always a joy to see students who were so excited about learning, and those who struggled but (eventually) succeeded.

"I worked wherever I was needed," she said. That included as a teacher's aide in special education and Title I rooms. She also supervised study halls, and filled in as a substitute.

"In the library, it was always fun to have a student come and talk to me about a great book they just finished - or one they really did not like the way it ended!"

Matteson is originally from the Washington DC area. She and her family moved to Bozeman for her junior year of high school. She stayed in Montana for her college years. After receiving a teaching degree from MSU, she began teaching here.

She and husband live just outside of Cascade. They enjoy spending time outdoors hunting, fishing and raising Wirehaired Pointing Griffons. Indoor pursuits include reading and playing a harp.

Their son, Josh, is a graduate of Cascade High School and is a Respiratory Therapist in Billings. They visit him, his wife, Jessica, and their one grandchild there as much as possible. Future plans include more family time, volunteering at church, spending time outdoors, reading more books, playing music, and traveling.

When asked for words of wisdom for her successor, Matteson said: "Most of our students just want to read a great story or learn about something they are passionate about. I hope that the new librarian continues to make connections with our students and... new independent authors and publishers that are creating quality books that our children can relate to."