In a society where the average worker changes jobs three to five times during their lifetime, it’s rare to find an individual who has held the same job for 50 years. Norman Creutz, owner of Creutz Drug Store in Wausa, Nebraska, has decided to end his 50-year pharmacy career this month, closing the chapter on a 113-year legacy. Norm is the third generation to have operated Creutz Drug, with his grandfather, Pehr Gustaf (PG) Creutz, founding the store in 1895. Pehr immigrated from Sweden at age 16 and was first employed painting stripes on Moline plows in Illinois and painting barns in Oakland, Nebraska. He served as an apprentice to a druggist and operated drug stores in Pender and Rushville before moving to Wausa with his wife Mary.

While Pehr served as pharmacist, his days revolved around mixing up prescriptions from rows of minerals and herbs. Popular medications included dried rhubarb roots, dispensed as a laxative; powdered ginger root to stimulate the intestines and stop diarrhea; and fish berry to combat parasites.

Pehr’s son, Fred Creutz, followed in his father’s footsteps and joined his father in the drug store in 1919 after serving two years in the U.S. Army during World War I. Fred was a graduate of Wausa High School, Kearney Military Academy and the University of Nebraska. In addition, he served as the president of the Nebraska Pharmaceutical Association and was chairman of the board of pharmacy examiners. Fred and his wife Esther had two sons who both later went on to be pharmacists – Bob owned a pharmacy in Oakland until retiring in 1992, and Norman acquired Creutz Drug Store located in Wausa in 1960.

Norm graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Pharmacy in 1956, served two years in the U.S. Army and then formed a partnership with his father. He has witnessed many changes throughout the years including the diminishing of compound prescriptions, the popularity of generic drugs and an increased amount of insurance paperwork.  Norm has always enjoyed the “front end” of the pharmacy, which has included non-pharmacy items such as greeting cards, candy, gifts, picture processing and the occasional watch repair. Throughout the three generations, there were a large variety of items that lined the shelves such as cigars, paint, wallpaper, gold tableware, diamond rings, bulk chemicals, violin strings, baseball bats and accordions (but no soda fountain). Children can still buy Tootsie Rolls and bubble gum for a penny.

Norm’s wife Joyce has been working at Creutz Drug Store for approximately 15 years. Mary Johnson still serves as a long-time employee and past long-time employees have included Viola Landholm, Erma Olson and Ellen Benson Johnson. Norm and Joyce have four daughters – Megan, Gretchen, Amy and Mary – all of whom have worked in the store. Their daughter Megan is a fourth generation pharmacist in Lincoln.

Norm has sold his pharmacy business to pharmacist Brett Louderback, who also owns a pharmacy in Madison. While he is looking forward to retirement, the 74-year-old will miss the customers and tradition. “It’s been a very good life, a very satisfying experience to have your own business in a community like this”, says Norm. “For me to close is one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made”.

Category: News