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room in the back was used for them to play or nap in as needed. The
Wieseler clan is extensive, and Cindy is sure she’s related to practically
everyone in Cedar County to some extent.
In the early years in Vermillion, the founding JoDean’s restaurant
was the smallest. Cindy remembers, “When I first started, the food
was ordered completely off a menu, and served out of the kitchen.”
The plentiful food buffet didn’t start until 1983. Over the years the
restaurant has grown to accommodate large parties and events. During
the holidays, the required staff can be as large as thirty to forty people
working a single shift. Cindy states that, “It takes a lot of us when it’s
busy.” She recalls that events such as a local military deployment can
be times when families gather together and JoDean’s is particularly
busy. “There is always something going on, sometimes things are preplanned and sometimes things are spontaneous.” The staff are always
ready and waiting with a smile. Cindy shares that there was a time
when all six of her sisters were temporarily working at JoDean’s at one
time or another to help out. Cindy’s nieces have also been employed at
JoDean’s previously.
When asked what’s kept Cindy at JoDean’s for so long she is quick
to respond, “It’s the people, the customers. I’ve worked with some
wonderful, incredible staff members.” She’s truly enjoyed getting to
know many of the regular customers that have been eating at JoDean’s
for years. These relationships are what makes working at the restaurant
so rewarding.
Besides being the manager, Cindy literally has “got her hands” in
all aspects of the job. She regularly helps prepare the food, assists at
the register, sets schedules, solves dilemmas and does the payroll. She
literally jumps in and helps wherever it’s needed. She’s come in at the
drop of a hat when the steakhouse has been in need of extra hands,
and knows it takes only about ten minutes to get from her front door
to work. “If the boss calls and says he needs my help, I’m ready.” She
also gives kudos to their staff members that “Cindy usually opens in
the early morning hours and works six days a week. When asked after
all these years, if she’s gotten sick of the food, she’s quick to answer, “I
love the food here. I eat here every day during my shift. When I take
a break I might have some salad, the other day they had catfish on the
buffet and it was great.”
Cindy shares that people have driven long distances, and planned
their travel routes with JoDean’s as a specific meal pit stop. Cindy
recalls families that annually would make a stop from Arizona and
Canada, when going through Yankton to visit family. When asked if
the restaurant has ever run out of chicken, Cindy gives a confident
“No.”, and says throughout JoDean’s existence, “Jack has always known
what the restaurant needs. He’s had so much experience from working
with his parents, and in general over the years. He’s always very
prepared.”
Cindy has no plans for retirement in the near future. JoDean’s has
been a huge part of her life, and many of the friendships she’s made
with co-workers and customers have felt almost akin to family. As
dedicated as Cindy is to her job, after a hectic day, she likes to spend
time off the clock with her family. During her precious vacation
time, she prefers to get away on family vacations. Cindy has recently
enjoyed a full week off this past September, in a lovely remote cabin
in Minnesota. When asked what’s up there to see, Cindy happily
responds, “Nothing!” She is pleased that her reservation is already
made for next year. While the guys go out and about or fishing, Cindy
prefers to stay back and relax on her own, or maybe work on her
crocheting. She learned how to sew at around the age of seven from
her mother, and knows this craft is “in her blood.” When her sons
were little, there was a time when she sewed a lot of their clothes. n
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