“When I was hired as the advertising manager for The Visitor I couldn’t believe I had landed a job where I would be paid for doing what I love — creating samples of ‘artwork,’” said Rose Kruger-Fuchs, who began in the position in 1977 and will retire May 5.
“Working as a graphic designer and ad manager for the last 40 years has been one of the most fulfilling careers I could ever wish for,” she said. “I designed thousands of ads but also hundreds of pages for the paper, booklets, brochures, newsletters and posters.”
Kruger-Fuchs has created 29 of the 34 pro-life posters that the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family has produced in conjunction with The Visitor since 1983. Two of them, those published in 2002 and 2006, garnered a first place award in the Best Single Color Ad category from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada. Another one, printed in 2011, won second place.
However, it is neither the awards nor the artistry that Kruger-Fuchs values the most. It’s the people she has worked with over the years.
“My co-workers at the paper, colleagues in the building and long-time advertising clients have become like family,” she said. “I have been here three-fourths of my life. In several cases we have more-or-less grown up with each other — sharing in marriages, the birth of children who we have followed year after year as they were growing up, ordinations, professions, the deaths of family members and friends — so many of life’s ups and downs.
“I’ve learned a great deal from each of them and also from my clients,” she said. “I have become much more knowledgeable about life from having the privilege of working with such a variety of advertisers, from religious communities to insurance agents and farmers to hardware store and bookshop owners and everyone in between.”
Hired by the late Msgr. Daniel Taufen when he headed the St. Cloud Visitor, Kruger-Fuchs has served under six other editors.
She’s witnessed a myriad of changes, starting when the paper, then a broadsheet with only black-and-white photos, was completed through a manual “cut and paste” process that required a steady hand and a skilled set of eyes. A history-lover, her favorite edition of The Visitor was the centennial issue published Sept. 14, 1989.
“Rose has always brought a friendly and positive attitude to her work, even on go-to-press days with their long hours,” said editor Joe Towalski. “Her creative talent speaks for itself. Her presence in the office will definitely be missed.”
What does she look forward to in her fast-approaching retirement? Pursuing new avenues in art, taking classes and entering contests. Traveling to historical sites around the country. And — no surprise for a people-oriented individual — enjoying her family and spending time with her ever-growing circle of friends.
To place an ad or discuss advertising options and rates, call The Visitor at 320-251-3022 or email SCVads@gw.stcdio.org.