Couple Retires after 55 Years of Service

Couple Retires after 55 Years of Service

Larry and Jane Huss

Not every working married couple gets to have lunch together every day. But Larry and Jane Huss have been able to do just that quite often over the years. The Huss’ are retiring from Columbia International University after a combined 55 years of service.

Larry has been at CIU for 35 years as an accounting clerk, accounting manager, and controller. Jane has 20 years of service – 11 years at Ben Lippen School, CIU’s Pre-K to 12th grade Christian school, where she taught middle school music and choir, high school choir, and was head of the Fine Arts Department. For the last nine years she has served at CIU as assistant registrar. Many will also remember Jane as the pianist for CIU’s commencement exercises.

Both look back at their time at CIU with great fondness with Jane saying she will miss the people.

“That is the best thing about my job,” Jane said. “Getting to help students, staff, faculty, and the deans.”

Larry considers it “a great blessing for both of us to have worked at CIU. Another of God’s gifts to us.”

Besides continuing to have lunch together, the Huss’ have a number of plans for retirement, including more time with the grandkids.

“I love doing crafts, and have quite a few things around the house that need attention,” Jane said.  “We have also talked about taking day trips around the area, but never found the time to do that.  So I hope to do a couple of those every month.”

When asked about retirement plans, Larry says he wants to become a professional wrestler under the name “Ferocious Larocious,” but quickly adds, “Actually I plan to garden a lot and read.”

The Huss’ have two sons. Both graduated from Ben Lippen School and one of them from CIU.

“I will always be a huge supporter of both Ben Lippen and CIU, and will always promote them to anyone who is thinking of attending,” Jane said. “They will always have a special place in our hearts.”

Larry echoes the sentiment.

“As I look back over my time at CIU, I can only say what a tremendous blessing it has been to work here,” Larry said. “It is a rare privilege that few enjoy. Thank you Lord!”

The Huss' retirement also generated media attention in Columbia. See the Q&A with Larry and Jane in The State newspaper of Columbia.