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Jessica Janzen joins Arlie's body shop crew

Staff reporter

A clear smock covers the car painter's uniform. Around the painter's neck is a respirator mask. Necessary tools of the trade.

This painter looks like a member of Arlie Overton's body shop crew — except for one difference.

The latest member of Overton's team is a female.

Marion native Jessica Janzen knew several years ago that she wanted to do car body work.

"I tinkered around with my own vehicles," Janzen said, and also enjoyed revamping lawn mowers and four-wheelers.

After graduating from MHS in 2007, she knew a friend who received training at Wyoming Technical Institute in Laramie, Wyo. So that's where she went.

And now, nine months later, Janzen has this opportunity — to return to her hometown and start her career.

It was no accident but maybe fate that Janzen's and Overton's paths should cross.

"We were looking for another employee, specifically a painter," Gina Overton, Arlie Overton's wife and business partner said.

Janzen came to the Overtons' business, Arlie's Paint, Body, & Glass of Marion, looking for a job.

"I have always supported bringing back our youth," Arlie Overton said, and would like to see a program offered in the community that might do just that.

The Overtons are preparing to expand in the near future with a new building being constructed in Marion's industrial park. Perfect timing for an up and coming technician to get her feet wet before the big move.

Why did this Marion girl decide on a male-dominated career? She smiled and shrugged her shoulders like it really wasn't that big of a deal.

"I would rather have a job for life that I love instead of doing a job that I hate," Janzen said.

Janzen officially graduated from Wyo-Tech, as she calls it, on Friday. Her first day at Overton's shop was Monday.

"I'm happy to be back and appreciate this opportunity that I've been given," Janzen said.

Janzen is the daughter of Diana Williams of Hillsboro.

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