'She’s kind of like an angel in disguise'

SANDPOINT — When customers at the Upland Drive Transfer Station talk about Laura Ahlers, the same phrases tend to keep popping up over and over again. “Caring,” “generous,” and “always smiling” to name a few.

On any given workday, Ahlers can be spotted cleaning and sweeping the paved site or chatting with the locals dropping off their trash. Ahlers, who is in her sixth year working at the transfer station and will retire on Halloween, insists that the people who visit her are the ones that are special.

“You get to know people, and they're the kind of people you'd like to be around,” she says. “They're smart and fun. And yeah, they just — I made some good friends while I was here.”

Many of Ahler’s customers, like Larry Russ, also bring furry friends when they go to the dumpsite. Ahlers, who orders a box of dog treats every month, has gotten to know the dogs along with their owners.

“Sometimes I can hear them barking before I see them,” Ahlers says.

Sure enough, when Russ drives up on a late Friday morning, his dog Lucy pops her head out the back window. Ahlers reaches into the pocket of her pink reflective safety vest and pulls out a treat, which she sets on the seat for Lucy. Lucy ducks down to eat, disappearing from view.

“They make my life better,” she says. “The people first, then the dogs.”

Ahlers’ human visitors seem to anticipate seeing her just as much as their pets do.

“I save up my trash all week long just to go to the dump when she works,” says Tina Kruger. “I don’t take it any other day.”

Ahlers’ shifts are at 7 a.m. every day, but she tries to arrive around 6:40 so costumers who have to work early can get on their way.

It’s relatively quiet on Upland Drive, but Ahlers says she likes it. She enjoys seeing trees, which have started to turn yellow, and wildlife that will occasionally cross her path when she’s cleaning.

Ahlers doesn’t like to sit still for too long, she says, and stays busy making sure the site is immaculate.

“She goes above and beyond,” Kruger says. “You’ll see her out there sweeping out there in the middle of summer at 100 degrees, and you’ll see her shoveling in the middle of winter when it’s ten degrees.”

Several of the visitors at the dumpsite say Laura was one of the first people they met when they got to Sandpoint.

“She was immediately so helpful,” Frank says. “She was the instant great neighbor.”

Lesley Ard, another Sandpoint resident, met Ahlers when she moved here 12 years ago.

“She was one of the bright spots,” Ard says. “Everybody that crosses her path loves her.”

Before Ahlers worked at the dumpsite, she worked with the Lake Pend Orielle School District in food service, as a janitor, driving a bus and working as a substitute teacher for 30 years. She also volunteers at Southside Elementary school, although she hasn’t this year because of COVID-19.

Ahlers, who likes to crochet, still gives back to the students.

“I drove a school bus for 15 years. So every year when the kids graduate from the bus, I make them a blanket,” Ahlers says.

The blankets are just one example of Ahler’s giving nature, Ard says. At one point, Ahler gave Ard a St. Christopher medal before a trip to keep her safe, Ard says. Then Ahler gave her a St. Francis medal to keep her dog safe.

“She’s always thinking about other people,” Ard says.

Joyce Anderson says she got not one, but two cards from Ahlers after Ahlers learned she had gotten hurt in a fall.

“She keeps cards in her office to send to anybody,” Anderson says. “She knows their name, she knows their dogs.”

On one occasion, Carol Wright says she remembers Ahlers took the time to drive an elderly woman to an eye appointment in the middle of winter. And when Wright’s husband became “very sick,” Ahler brought Wright soup every week.

”We’ve become personal friends,” Wright says. “She’s kind of like an angel in disguise.”

Ahlers says once she retires she’ll focus on household projects and some of her hobbies like crocheting. She’s grateful for her time at the transfer site, she says, and the people she’s met.

“[Iwant them to know] what a blessing they were to my life,” Ahlers says, “and how wonderful they all are.”