Loraine Maurer, 94, has worked at her neighborhood McDonald’s in Evansville, Indiana, for 45 years!

Loraine mentioned that she began working at McDonald’s when her husband retired on disability in 1973.

“When I first started, I didn’t intend to stay,” Loraine explained. “I told him we were too young to stay at home, so I went looking for work.”

Loraine is well-liked by everyone at the restaurant, including proprietors Chip and Katie Kenworthy.

“Loraine has a sizable fan base. “To put it mildly,” Katie, who has operated the restaurant for three years, said. “She has a lot of very loyal customers who come to our restaurant specifically to see her.”

Katie planned to host a celebration for Loraine to celebrate her long career at the restaurant, inviting her church, Good Shepherd Catholic Church Parish, as well as her family and friends.

“It was wonderful,” Loraine said of her celebration. “The only problem was that there were so many people there that I couldn’t talk to everyone.”

Loraine, who has four daughters, six grandsons, and seven great-grandchildren, says her close relationship with her clients has helped her get through difficult moments in her life. One of these difficult times was when her husband died in 1980.

“They saved my life when I lost my husband,” she recalled. “The customers helped.”

Loraine works two days a week these days, and while she considers retiring every winter, she can’t bear the thought of giving up her job.

“I would miss it too much,” she admitted. “I don’t want to become depressed, and it’s not that I don’t enjoy going to work.” It isn’t a job.

“I really and truly enjoy it,” Loraine said. “You make your own life.” So I’m attempting.”