The U.S. Postal Service is always changing. When Dorothy Kuntz Gladsjo began working for the post office, a stamp cost a quarter. Thirty-five years later it costs 78 cents, and she’s retiring as Wrangell postmaster.

Born and raised in Wrangell, she was sent to the post office as a youngster to check the box for mail. That wasn’t her gateway into a career, however. “I was inspired by Barney Iversen, who served as postmaster for 30 years. He told me it was one of the best jobs ever,” said Gladsjo.

She began as a clerk, learning all parts of the job. Wrangell was identified as a model post office, sending clerks to other parts of the state to help new postmasters with organization and administration. Gladsjo gained experience by traveling across Alaska, from Skagway in Southeast to Wainwright on the North Slope. That experience helped shape her vision of the mission and purpose of a post office.

She became postmaster in Wrangell in 2005, determined to run a professional, efficient and caring office. “The post office touches every single person in town, and it’s important that we are reliable and trustworthy.” She loves that everyone comes to the building.

She also understands why people sometimes get frustrated.

“We know it’s exasperating when mail is late or lost or arrives broken. I’ve worked to make sure that we’ve done our best to resolve situations as best as we can. People might not walk away with the answer they want, but I hope they walk away with a smile,” she said.

“It is important not to take things personally, but every piece of mail is personal. Every letter, every package is precious, no matter what it is, because it’s important to them. So it’s important to us.”

The mail has changed — there are fewer letters and bills as more and more people turn to email and electronic bill pay. But as people increasingly order online from Amazon, Walmart, the China-based online retailer Temu and other merchants, packages have become a significant part of the postal service workload.

“We’re not a big facility, like some of the larger, mechanized post offices. We sort and handle the packages by hand, which means we move or lift every package at least three times: when we receive it, when we put it on a shelf, and when we deliver it to the person at the window.”

The post office processes an average of 2,200 packages a week. Boxes come in all shapes and sizes: “There are no unusual packages, because we’ve seen it all, from car tires and bumpers to a sectional couch.”

Beyond the actual sorting and delivery of the mail, Gladsjo believes the facility itself should reflect qualities of professionalism and care. It matters that the brass mailboxes are polished and the lawn is tended. She petitioned for 25 years to have the building painted and is proud that her squeaky wheel produced results — the building was repainted in 2024.

A new roof is anticipated in the summer of 2026 or 2027.

Gladsjo’s official last day is Jan. 31, and the job opening will be posted Feb. 1. “Any one of the 650,000 post office employees is a potential applicant.”

She’s proud of the legacy she’s leaving, though she credits her success to the love and support of the community.

Christy Good highlighted that support when she commented, “It’s been a treasure having (Dorothy) here — she serves the community with a smile.”

“I’m having a retirement party, but it’s not about celebrating me. It’s really me thanking the community,” Gladsjo said. The party is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Elks Lodge. The public is invited.