Topeka ? A veteran employee of the Kansas secretary of state has retired after working 29 years as a proofreader.

Madeline Cowell finished her tenure with the agency on Thursday, which was also her 86th birthday.

Cowell started with the office in 1983, when she was hired by Secretary of State Jack Brier as a part-time proofreader.

Current Secretary of State Kris Kobach complimented Cowell for her professionalism and attention to detail during her time at the office. Her duties included reading several legal publications produced by the department, including the Kansas Register, the agency’s weekly document.

A cake was presented to Cowell with images of the publications she reviewed, each naming a different secretary she served. It also included two books that she wrote.