Hooray!

SHORT C O M PA N I E S

WINTER 2018
the holidays and returning home to
Porter, MN) should not be traveling
due to the horrible conditions,
they insisted that the couple stay
overnight. The couple had a warm,
safe place to wait out the storm due
to the overwhelming kindness of
Mindy and her family.
The Pipestone employees made a
donation to the Pipestone County
United Way in the amount of
$378.00. The funds were entirely
employee-generated through
various ongoing activities which
include Friday Jeans Day and staff

(continued on page 4)

The Johnson Family
Adrianna, Jerid (back), Austin, Landon and Mindy
First Farmers & Merchants conditions. Mindy lives with her
INSIDE:
Brian P. Short............................. 2
Austin Update............................. 6
Brownsdale Update...................... 6
Cannon Falls Update.................... 7

Pipestone
family on a widely traveled highway
north of Pipestone. A knock on
the door after dark presented the
Update Johnsons with a young couple who
explained that they had gone into
The phrase “Minnesota Nice” was the ditch near their home. Jerid,
personified by one of our Pipestone Mindy’s husband, proceeded to
team members, Mindy Johnson, gather the family and attempt to
Loan Assistant, and her family in push the car out of the ditch, to
late December. On the plains, a no avail. He then proceeded to dig
blizzard can arise without much out the car with one of his tractors
warning, which happened on the and bring the car on their yard. The
evening of December 20. Snowfall, Johnsons’ kindness did not end at
coupled with 30-plus mile-an- this point, however. Realizing that
hour winds made for whiteout the couple (who were traveling for
Fairmont Update.......................... 8
Goodhue Update......................... 9
Grand Meadow Update...............10
Le Sueur Update......................... 12
Luverne Update..........................13
Red Wing Update.......................15
Shared Services...........................16
Stewartville Update..................... 17
White Rock Update.....................18
Admiral Merchants Update..........19
Wellness.................................... 20
Eagle Awards............................ 20
News.........................................23
Christmas Cookie Tour and the Government Shutdown
Brian P. Short
Every year in December, the First
Farmers & Merchants Banks
sponsor Christmas open houses
in our branches, welcoming
customers to thank them for their
business. I attend most of those,
joining with our bankers to thank
our customers, but also to thank our
team members who provide such
great service to those customers.
A couple of years ago, Laura
Qualey, Director of Marketing
at First Farmers & Merchants
Banks, presented me with a
necktie commemorating what we
have come to call the annual First
Farmers & Merchants Banks
Christmas Cookie Tour. On that
red and white tie is printed, “First
Farmers & Merchants Holiday
Cookie Tour” and then a list of all
the communities in which we have
branches. I wear that tie proudly
during the Christmas season, often
as a point of reference so that I can
remember where I am on any given
day
2
As I have often said, the First
Farmers & Merchants Banks are in
the “Dream Fulfillment Business.”
We help our customers realize
their dreams – from the dream
of starting a new business to the
dream of helping a child with a
college education, or sometimes
simply the dream of taking a
once-in-a-lifetime vacation. 2018
was a great year for the First
Farmers & Merchants Banks – on
a consolidated basis, we exceeded
our 2017 earnings by the end of the
third quarter in 2018. However, the
professional satisfaction of every
member of the First Farmers &
Merchants team, as a result of that
performance, has been tempered
by the stark realization of the
challenges faced by our farm and
farm service customers. 2018
was the third or fourth year of
commodity prices which are below
the cost of production. While
farmers are by nature optimistic,
the continued drumbeat of negative
prices is taking its toll.
Brian’s Christmas Ties
While our producers have had to
deal with low prices for a number
of years, the current “trade wars”
with China have exacerbated the
problem. For some time now, fully
a third of the Midwestern soybean
crop has been destined for China.
Those exports have now either
been stopped or at least seriously
disrupted. While one could argue
about the necessity of those trade
wars to the health of the overall
U.S. economy, there is no question
but that Midwestern soybean
producers are bearing the brunt of
those trade policies.
In recognition of that fact, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture last year
announced the Market Facilitation
Program, which provided some
much needed compensation to
farm producers for losses caused by
those trade wars. Those payments
made a real difference in the lives
of First Farmers & Merchants
customers.
However, that takes me to the
other part of the title of this article.
As I write this, the government
shutdown continues and it is now
the longest shutdown in the history
of our country. Hopefully, as you
read this issue of Hooray!, the
shutdown will have ended. Our
political leaders will have made
peace, stopped acting like children,
and gotten back to the business of
managing the governmental affairs
of this country. However, the
government shutdown is directly
and negatively affecting the farm
economy and many First Farmers
& Merchants customers. For
example, if a farmer did not sign up
for the Market Facilitation Program
until sometime after soybean
harvest, he will most likely not
receive the support payment from
the government that he is owed
until after this shutdown ends.
In addition, many of our customers
have direct loans with the Farm
Service Agency (FSA), either
for operating needs or for one
of the specialty programs. The
Department of Agriculture is
unable to process those applications
now. Further, producers are unable
to make payments on those loans.
I was discussing this dilemma with
one of our bank presidents last
week. We have a customer who has
operating loans with First Farmers &
Merchants Bank and with the FSA.
This customer recently sold about
$100,000.00 worth of fat cattle and
was issued a check by the buyer
jointly payable to the customer,
the Farm Service Agency, and First
Farmers & Merchants Bank, as is
required by law. In the past, that
customer would have brought the
check over to the FSA office, where
it would have been endorsed in his
favor by an FSA official. He then
would have deposited the check
in First Farmers & Merchants and
disbursed principal and interest
payments out of that check as
appropriate and used the balance for
family living expenses. However,
with the government shutdown,
the check can’t be endorsed by
FSA because its offices are closed,
so the $100,000.00 check sits on
the desk of our customer while
he continues to accrue interest on
his loans with FSA and with First
Farmers & Merchants. He lacks the
resources to pay other bills or to
use for everyday living needs.
We have another customer who is
trying to buy a parcel of farm land
but needs to have the support of one
of the beginning farmer programs.
Those programs are available to
assist young and beginning farmers
with financing on favorable terms.
The seller of the land wants to sell
it now, he would like to sell it to
this potential beginning farmer,
but he does not want to wait
indefinitely to determine whether
the young farmer qualifies for the
beginning farmer program. This
beginning farmer may well lose this
opportunity to buy the land because
of the government shutdown.
Farmers have historically had to
deal with the vagaries of weather
and markets. They accept those
risks as part of the business
landscape. They should not have to
deal with the additional hurdle of
this government shutdown. Every
one of us should reach out to our
political leaders and demand that
this shutdown end immediately.
Over the years, I have worked with
many farmers. They are some of
the smartest, hardest working and
innovative business people I know.
They will overcome the hurdles
of the trade wars, adverse prices
and this most recent government
shutdown. I am proud to continue
to work many of the wonderful
ag producers who partner with
members of the First Farmers &
Merchants teams to achieve their
dreams.
So thanks to every member of the
First Farmers & Merchants teams
for your dedication and hard work
helping First Farmers & Merchants
be successful, but also helping
every one of our customers be
successful as well.
Brian P. Short
Cannon Falls Open House
3
 Updates
PIPESTONE UPDATE
(continued from page 1)
potlucks. Rhonda Smith, Personal
Banker, serves on the board of the
United Way of Pipestone County
as the chairperson.
First Farmers & Merchants
annually makes a donation to the
Pipestone Booster Club after the
football season has ended. We
donate $10 for each touchdown
scored. This year the Arrows scored
54 touchdowns!
FF&M co-sponsored a Chamber
Coffee with the Pipestone National
Monument on October 18. The
event was held at the Visitor Center
of the National Monument where
staff from both the bank and the
Monument welcomed guests
with coffee and breakfast pizza.
The networking event was held
at the Monument to inform and
bring attention to the upcoming
renovations to the Visitor Center.
In 2019 they will be replacing
their current interpretive displays
which were installed in 1958 with
exhibits that have been created
over the past six years with
input from the Monument’s 23
affiliated tribes. Those attending
the event were given an overview
of the concepts and elements
that will be installed, as well as
the opportunity to view graphics
of the proposed exhibits. The
partnership for the joint Chamber
Coffee was through President and
CEO Dale Roemmich’s and CSR
Linda Erickson’s involvement
with Pipestone Forward. Dale and
Linda had opportunities to visit
4
with the new PNM Superintendent,
Lauren Blacik, at community
events and extended an invitation to
assist in hosting a Chamber Coffee.
After the Chamber Coffee, the
relationship has continued with the
Monument hosting the December
meeting of Pipestone Forward.
Lauren Blacik, PNM
Superintendent, FF&M staff, and
community members pictured at
Chamber Coffee
Our charter celebrated its 31st
year as First Farmers & Merchants
with a one-day CD special. The
special was run on October 22
and highlighted a 31-month CD
at 3.10% APY. The Pipestone
Office had overwhelming response
to the special. Staff opened the
doors early to accommodate the
customers waiting to participate
in the promotion. The entire staff
participated in order to ensure that
customers were taken care of in
spite of the lines to write CDs the
entire day. Coffee and cupcakes
were served as customers waited.
Our office wrote 173 certificates
during the special for a total
of $7,972,870.15. As an added
Brian Short and Nyla Kraft
promotion, a special drawing was
held for customers who visited
that day. The drawing was for the
opportunity to purchase a 12 month
CD at the rate of 7.07% APY. This
rate was the current CD rate in
1987. The winner of the promotion
was Nyla Kraft (pictured with
Brian Short).
Community leaders gathered in
Marshall on November 8 for the
annual Grow Our Own Summit
sponsored by the Southwest
Initiative Foundation. The purpose
of the Grow Our Own initiative in
Southwest Minnesota is to bring
forward the idea that valuable and
sustainable careers for our youth are
available in the communities where
they grow up. The concept is to
educate these young individuals in
the schools of this fact and continue
to present to them the opportunities
that out-state communities have as
they decide their career paths. Dale
Roemmich attended the event
along with other members of the
Pipestone community.
Grow Our Own Summit
Tim Paulson, Vice President, has
completed his term on the Pipestone
Area Chamber of Commerce’s
Board of Directors. He was on the
board for seven years and served
(continued on page 5)

PIPESTONE UPDATE
(continued from page 4)
as the Chamber President in 2017.
His position on the Board has been
filled by Luke Black, Loan Officer.
The Pipestone staff enjoyed a
night out together on November
27 at the Pipestone Stonehouse
Supper Club, Pipestone’s newest
dining establishment. At weekly
staff meetings, the “Quarter Can”
is passed around and everyone has
an opportunity to share some news,
personally or professionally, with
the rest of the group. Each person
who wishes to share puts a quarter
in the can. Each staff meeting
concludes with the Quarter Can
and it is a wonderful way to step
back, take a few moments, and
have devoted time to stay in touch
with our bank family. From time
to time, the staff comes together
and decides how we will utilize the
money as a group.
L to R: Nancy Bones,
Taya Burnett, Becky Redenius,
Missy Newell, Dale Roemmich,
Beth Angrimson, Dawn Carson,
Mardi Enerson, Luke Black,
Pam Kuyper, Cindy Koenders,
Mindy Johnson, Hailey Elyea
The joint Luverne and Pipestone
Advisory Board and officer
Updates
Christmas party was held on
December 3 in Luverne. Pictured
here is the Pipestone Advisory
Board that evening.
Holly Vandenberg and Brian Short
Bill Johnson, Dale Roemmich,
Verne Long, Mike Caskey, Lou
Perli, Rod Sievert, Brian Short,
and Ricky Carstensen
Not pictured: Marty Wallin, Jerry
Popma, and Dan Juhl
The Pipestone Christmas Open Christmas trees decorated by staff
House was held on December
17. The event featured pre-school
students singing Christmas carols,
local pianist Holly Vandenberg
performing during the afternoon,
and home-baked cookies by the
staff. The staff also decorated trees
this year and the customers who
attended the open house voted on
their favorite. Top honors went to
Cindy Koenders, Card Services
& Fraud Prevention Specialist, and
Mardi Enerson, Teller. Kelsey Weinkauf
Kelsey Weinkauf, Teller, joined
the Pipestone team on December
12. Kelsey is a returning employee
and was the inaugural high school
student that Pipestone hired in
2015. Kelsey recently purchased a
home in Pipestone where she lives
with her fiancé, Josh, and their
three dogs. Welcome back, Kelsey!
Submitted by: Linda Erickson,
Noah’s Ark Preschool Singers Customer Service Representative
5
 Updates
First Farmers & Merchants
Austin
Update
In October, the Austin Chamber
of Commerce hosted its annual
“Ladies Night Out” with a beach
party theme. This event raises
money for scholarships for women
wanting to go back to school
through ticket sales, raffles and
silent auctions.
Back row: Bonnie Kilpatrick,
Francia Lopez, Maria Navarro,
Mary Ruther, Patty Tewes
Front row: Jordan Olson,
Sherrie Carlson, Connie Sprung,
Kasey Petznick, Brittney Johnson
This Thanksgiving, our bank
donated five turkeys to the Austin
Salvation Army for its food basket
distribution.
December 4 was buzzing here with
our open house. We had a large
crowd most of the day. It is always
good to see our older customers
come in for coffee, cookies and
lots of conversation with us and
other folks.
Best wishes to everyone for 2019!
Submitted by: Sherrie Carlson,
Customer Service Representative
6
First Farmers & Merchants The holiday open house was
another big success. The mild
Brownsdale weather brought a large crowd to
the bank, so much so that we had
Update to send out for more sandwiches!
November 30 marked the end of an
era as the Sargeant branch closed its
doors for the final time. The bank
in Sargeant is most remembered
for “2 of the Notorious ‘Cream
Can’ Bandits Wounded, Captured
at Sargeant” in May of 1939.
The capture involved a dramatic
gunfight between the robbers and
police. Some of the bank employees
and town residents assisted the
police by guarding the captured
robbers while police pursued the
other two who had escaped.
One of the two original cream
cans, which carried water to cool
the drills, was on display at the
Best wishes for 2019!
Sargeant branch until its closing.
The cream can was displayed at
Submitted by: Darcy Drake-
the Brownsdale branch during our
Tapp, Administrative Assistant
holiday open house on December
11, and then was donated to the
Mower County Historical Society.
Dale Larson and Brian Short

First Farmers & Merchants
Cannon Falls Update
Blood Mobile is Back
FF&M Cannon Falls hosted the
Red Cross Blood Mobile for the
third time in 2018. For the three
events, we collected 63 pints of
blood and had 80 donors. Of the
80 donors we had, 65 of them
were new to donating blood! We’re
excited to already have another one
scheduled in February!
Feed My Starving Children
FF&M had two teams totaling
17 people that participated in the
community Feed My Starving
Children food packing event in
November. Over 600 volunteers
packed 124,632 meals which will
feed 341 kids once a day for an
entire year. The Cannon Falls/
White Rock Advisory Board
donated $500.00 to the packing
event, which also gives 10% back
to the local food shelf.
Back row: Kay Sabin (Cheryl’s
mother-in-law),Tristin Qualey
(Laura’s nephew), Laura
Qualey (Marketing),Mary Mann
(Bookkeeping),Cheryl Sabin
(Teller),Charli Duden (Laura’s
niece), Tara Duden (Laura’s
sister),John Wegmann (Ag
Lender),Robert Otterness (Carly’s
husband). Front row: Lillian and
Emmett Lunny (Cheryl’s niece
and nephew) and Carly Otterness
(Loan Processing)
Janice Schurtz (Operations
Officer), Deanna Hochmuth
(Consumer Lender),
Luke Cooreman (CF President),
Tiffany Helgren
(Loan Processing), and
Gailyn Holmgren (Teller)
Joe Coyle (Ad Board),
Brenda Safe (FMSC Coordinator),
Paul Drackley
(WR President),
Brian Short (CEO/President,215
HC), Dennis Brekken (Ad Board),
Dick McGuire (Ad Board),
Dick Dalton (Ad Board),
Dr. Mike Pedersen (Ad Board),
and Luke Cooreman
(CF President)
Bomber Day
Our Cannon Falls Bomber football
team had a pretty great season. We
ended up in the Quarter Finals at
State playing against the Fairmont
Cardinals. There was a bet on the
game (candy bars from the losing
team to the victors). Well, it was
probably one of the best, most
exciting, snowiest and coldest
games in high school football in
Updates
Minnesota, but the Cards were
able to come away with the
win 27-21. Reluctantly, but in
good sportsmanship, Fairmont
received a nice big beautiful box
of chocolates before the holidays.
Good game…until next year!
Kris Jacobsen (HR),
Kelsey Otte (Credit Analyst),
Cheryl Hansen (Teller),
Mary Mann (Bookkeeping),
Katie Overby (CSR/Personal
Banker), Patti Gustafson (CSR),
Lisa Miller (Teller), Janice Schurtz
(Operations) and Laura Qualey
(Marketing) in front
Happy Holidays to All
Our Holiday Open House was busy
and full of music this year. The
students from St. Paul Lutheran
Church’s School came and sang,
played bells and even had some
Boom Whackers to add to their
performance. Our Toys for Tots
box was overflowing and we also
supported the Girl Scout’s 1st
Annual Warm Hearts & Cozy Toes
Sock Drive. We were full of sugar,
(continued on page 8)
7
Updates
CANNON FALLS UPDATE
(continued from page 7)
meat and cheese by the end of the
day, but were happy to talk to a
lot of our customers that we don’t
always have a chance to during the
year.
Amy Webb (Troop Leader),Girl
Scout Troop, and Brenda Deutsch
(Teller)
8
New Arrival
Brenda Jackson (Consumer
Lender) and her husband Scott
welcomed their fourth grandchild,
Kamden Eugene Scott Ayres, on
October 25. He was 6 lbs. 15 oz.
and joins siblings Brekkyn (7),
Lakynn (4) and Jackson (3) at
home.
Kamden Eugene Scott Ayres
Growing our Future Farmers &
Merchants
Between our three Cannon Falls
locations (and Brian Short’s
granddaughter), we added nine
babies to our FF&M family in
2018! Each one brings big smiles
to all of those around us when they
stop in for a visit or a new grandma
or mommy shows off some new
pictures or videos. Some of us
grandmas are working on Luke
Cooreman to let us start up a
daycare in the lower level of the
main branch…..cross your fingers
for us!
Top row: Jonathan Althoff
(Shelly Zimmerman’s grandson),
Ella Schuette (Laura Qualey’s
granddaughter), Ames Anderson
(Deanna Hochmuth’s grandson),
Hudson Otte (Kelsey Otte’s son)
Bottom row: Kamden Ayres
(Brenda Jackson’s grandson),
Kyler Anderson (Cathy Anderson’s
grandson), Ryker Rowe (Kelsey
Rowe’s son), Rory Kathleen
Short Minno (Brian Short’s
granddaughter), and Alana Davis
(Bri Davis’ daughter)
Submitted by: Laura Qualey,
Director of Marketing
First Farmers & Merchants
Fairmont
Update
Dan Driscoll joined our team on
October 1 as our newest ag lender.
Dan grew up on a farm near Blue
Earth, graduated from SDSU in
agriculture, and currently lives in
Fairmont with his wife, Alecia.
He comes to us from a local co-op,
where he worked as an agronomist
with area producers. This
experience will be a complement
to his new responsibilities of
assisting ag producers in the
financial areas of their business. In
addition to spending time with his
wife, Dan’s hobbies and interests
include hunting, ice fishing, and
boating. We welcome Dan to our
FF&M family!
(continued on page 9)

FAIRMONT UPDATE
(continued from page 8)
Dan Driscoll
And we’re growing even more…
Tonja Smick joined us on October
9 as a teller. She has lived much
of her life in Fairmont. Tonja and
her husband Tim have three sons
and a precious granddaughter.
She enjoys spending time with
family, the beach, walking,
reading, playing games, and home
improvement projects. Tonja also
did an awesome job of making
the “Family Feud” game and
backboard for our Christmas
party this year – it was a big hit!
Welcome, Tonja!
Tonja Smick
Our Holiday Open House was held
on Monday, December 10. The
morning started out a little foggy,
delaying Brian’s arrival until a
little later in the morning, but all in
all we had a nice day with a good
turnout of customers stopping in
to enjoy good eats throughout the
day. The evening ended with our
Advisory Board supper, during
which it was announced that a
donation would be made in their
name to the Heaven’s Table Food
Shelf here in Fairmont.
The days are already starting to get
longer, and we are looking forward
to spring!
Submitted by: Joan Meyer,
Personal Banking Officer
Updates
First Farmers & Merchants
Goodhue
Update
We have been busy here in Goodhue
the past few months. In October we
had a few things going on. We had
our Breast Cancer Awareness day.
We served cookies and punch and
had customers generously donate
to Team Shamrock, a local charity
to help families in need that have
cancer. We raised $583.00 between
donations and the Goodhue
Volleyball’s “Dig Pink” night.
Lara Ramthun and
Katie Brinkman
Katie Brinkman, Beth Matthees,
Renee Wiskow, Lara Ramthun, and
Emily Schmit
We also had a fun time with
Halloween where we all dressed
up! We had the pleasure of having
a dinosaur here!
(continued on page 10)
9
Updates

GOODHUE UPDATE
(continued from page 9)

Deloris Rusch, Brian Short, Terri

Brinkman-Ryan and
Sandy Sjoquist
We hope you had a great holiday
Lara Ramthun, Paul Althoff, season, and we wish you a Happy
Jessica Lindholm, Emily Schmit, New Year!
Dianne Pank, Corinne Stehr, and
Calvin Ryan Submitted by: Katie Brinkman,
Teller

First Farmers & Merchants

Emily Schmit
In December, we had our Holiday
Open House. We served some
delicious Christmas cookies,
coffee and hot apple cider. Brian is
pictured here visiting with Deloris
Rusch, Terri Brinkman-Ryan and
Sandy Sjoquist. Deloris started
working at the Goodhue State Bank
in June 1947 and worked there for
48 years, retiring in May 1995.
Grand Meadow
Update
We had a 4th quarter of fun and
change here in the Grand Meadow
office!
On Wednesday, December 12, our
Holiday Open House was held
in Grand Meadow. The weather
cooperated this year and we had a
great turnout. Our customers filled
the lobby for hours while enjoying
good food and conversation. Sadie,
owner of The Diner, supplied
us with sandwiches, salads, and
desserts. We had a wide variety of
gifts to share with our customers
along with our yearly calendars,
which are always very popular.
Brian Short was in attendance
once again and kept very busy
visiting with our customers!
The staff at First Farmers &
Merchants State Bank of Grand
Meadow actively participates in
“Blue Jean Friday.” Each Friday,
the staff is allowed to wear jeans
to work for a donation of $5.00.
At the end of the year, these
collected donations are presented
to organizations, as determined by
the employees. This year the funds
were divided three ways:
• A donation of $100 was made
to help support the Community
Christmas Dinner put on in Grand
Meadow on Christmas Day.
(continued on page 11)

10
 Updates

We gained a new member of

GRAND MEADOW UPDATE our Grand Meadow team in
(continued from page 10 ) December. Kayla Munsch, who
previously served as Teller/CSR
• A donation of $250 was made to in Stewartville, decided to transfer
the Jingle Bell Jog. This annual to fill the position of CSR/Teller
event is put on by the Grand at the Grand Meadow location.
Meadow Student Council to help She has been in the Stewartville
support an area family in need. location for about a year and we
• A donation of $650 was made to are very excited to have her here in
the Grand Meadow School to help Grand Meadow!
assist the lunch account program
for specific families in need. Laura Brase, Teller/CSR, was
The staff appreciates this program selected by the staff of the Grand
all year long and it is amazing to Meadow charter to receive its third
see the impact our donations have quarter nomination for the 215
on the local community. Holding Co. quarterly Eagle Award.
Our very own Tabitha Hoffman Along with this honor, Laura
celebrated a BIG EVENT on also received the bank’s quarterly
December 10… her 40th birthday! Customer Service MVP Award.
We surprised her by decorating Then, Laura was also selected as
her desk area! She was center of a recipient of the 215 Holding Co.
attention for the day as customers Eagle Award for the third quarter
stopped in to wish her a Happy of 2018! Congratulations, Laura!
Birthday!

Tabitha Hoffman
Laura Brase and Dave Feddersen

(continued on page 12)

11
Updates
GRAND MEADOW UPDATE
(continued from page 11)
Our combined Advisory Board
Christmas party was held on
the evening of December 12 at
5West in Rochester. The food and
festivities were enjoyed by all.
Mark Carman, retiring Advisory
Board member at Grand Meadow,
was honored for his dedication
and support from 2001 to 2018.
Thanks, Mark!
Mark Carman and Brian Short
Submitted by: Laura Brase,
Teller/CSR
12
First Farmers & Merchants
Le Sueur
Update
It was a busy quarter for FF&M Le
Sueur! From bank-held events to
participation in community events,
the staff made the most of their fall
quarter.
Fans young and old showed up to
take part in the fundraiser held by
the 2019 After Prom Committee.
FF&M donated bottles of water
for a tailgating party before the
Homecoming football game
in October. Pictured is 2018
Homecoming Queen, Kelsey
Berndt, holding her bottle of
water. Kelsey is the daughter of
CSR Chris Berndt.
Kelsey Berndt
The 9th Annual Linked in Pink
event was held October 11 at
Ridgeview Medical Center.
This event brings Breast Cancer
Awareness to our community.
Special thanks to Kristin Nepper,
Teller, and Terry Mattson, VP/Ag
& Commercial Loan Officer, for
handing out pink carnations to the
attendees. Staff also supported the
event by wearing pink that day.
Back row: Terry Mattson, Desarae
Block, Brian Pfarr, Tom Obele
Front row: Autumn Feddersen,
Christina Meyer
A Senior Expo was held October
18 at the Le Sueur-Henderson
Middle/High School. FF&M set
up a booth displaying information
regarding identity theft and how to
handle phone scams. Many senior
citizens attended and asked great
questions.
While celebrating Le Sueur’s
Trick-or-Treat on Main the
beautiful weather brought in more
than 125 trick-or-treaters to the
bank this year. This event grows
bigger and bigger each year.
As the colors began to fade
outside, we asked area children to
brighten up our bank. In November
we hosted a turkey coloring
contest. The creative artwork was
(continued on page 13)
 Updates

Our Holiday Open House was First Farmers & Merchants

LE SUEUR UPDATE
(continued from page 12)
displayed in our drive-up. We had
kids from age 2 to 10 participate in
the contest and three winners were
selected from three different age
groups. The winners received an
FF&M piggy bank.
The Annual Holiday Lights Parade
was held on November 30. FF&M
staff participated once again,
walking beside a John Deere
tractor decorated with lights, driven
by Tom Obele, Vice President/
Mortgage Operations Manager.
FF&M glow-in-the-dark bracelets
were passed out to the crowd.
held December 21 from 9:00 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m. Customers enjoyed
home-baked treats, a meat and
cheese tray, coffee, punch and
conversation with staff and other
community members. In the
evening, the Advisory Board
Christmas Party was held at the
Le Sueur Country Club. Advisory
Board member Tom Tellijohn was
honored for his years of service.
Tom served on our board from
1995-2018.
Luverne
Update
FF&M Luverne participated
in two fall community events.
Lisa Ehlers (Loan Assistant), Jo
Buss (Teller), Paulette Richters
(Teller), Sandy Clark (Teller),
and Michelle Jansma (Teller) put
together a scarecrow for the Vet’s
Home Scarecrow display. This
year’s scarecrow theme was “Don’t
Bank and Fly.” The bank also gave
out candy on Halloween as part
of Trunk or Treat in downtown
Luverne. Jill Buss (Teller) and
Lisa Ehlers (Loan Assistant) gave
out 1,290 pieces of candy!

FF&M is an annual drop-off site

for Santa Anonymous. About 200
toys were collected in our location
for the event this year. The staff
chose to donate their $5 Friday
jean money from October through
December, combining for a total of
$185.00, to Santa Anonymous as
well.
Brian Pfarr, Tom Tellijohn and
Brian Short
In memory of our dear friend and
coworker, Desarae Block, our
Advisory Board chose to make
their yearly donation of $500.00
to the Sioux Trails Mental Health
Center.

Submitted by: Chris Berndt,

Customer Service Representative

Lisa Ehlers and Jill Buss

(continued on page 14)

13
 Updates
LUVERNE UPDATE
(continued from page 13)
The bank was hopping on October
22 with our 3.10% APY CD
Special for 31 months. Each
certificate opened that day allowed
for an entry into a drawing to be
selected to invest in a one-year
CD at the rate from 31 years ago
(7.07% APY). The winners at the
Luverne branch were Karen and
Mary Donth, pictured with Peg
Gacke (CSR).
Peg Gacke, Karen and Mary Donth
Ryan Wynia (President)
and LaDonna VanAartsen
(Operations) hosted the SWMN
CEO class in November and shared
their knowledge of banking and
what makes great customer service
as well as the role of a community
bank. The CEO program is
“Creating Entrepreneurial
Opportunities” by introducing
kids to entrepreneurship through
hands-on experiences and business
tours. It consists of 20 students
from seven different schools
in Rock and Pipestone County.
The program is backed by local
investors with no direct cost to the
school and it is held before school
begins. LaDonna is a mentor to
one of the students in the program
14
and the bank also made a donation Backpack Board Member), Amy
to get the program running. Cook (School Counselor), Stacy
Gillette (Elementary Principal),
LaDonna directed the Green Lila Bauer (Pizza Ranch Owner),
Earth Players fall play, The Best and Stacy Schepel (School Social
Christmas Pageant Ever, which Worker).
included a cast of 50 (40 kids and 10
adults). Audrie DeBates, daughter
of Mike DeBates (Lender), also
participated in the play. It was a
great production that was well cast
and directed!
The employees of the bank
donated to the Angel Fund at the
school. This fund was established
by the Luverne Public School to Luverne’s Holiday Open House
assist students and families with and Advisory Board Christmas
the ongoing costs of the school Party were held on December 3.
breakfast and lunch program. Pictured here is the Advisory Board
Employees did this instead of at the party.
participating in a gift exchange
amongst the employees. It was
determined we would rather give
than receive and allow for others
in need to benefit from what we
normally would have spent on a
gift for one another.
The bank sponsored The 12 Days
of Pizza with the Luverne Pizza
Ranch to help 15 families in need Luverne Advisory Board:
during the holiday school break. Ryan Wynia, Denise Severtson,
Some kids do not look forward Ben Vander Kooi, Jr., Brian Short,
to the holiday break because they Dave Haugom, Barb Loosbrock,
would be missing the hot school and Tom Brockberg
lunch they can depend on each Not pictured: Jason Fick
day. The sponsorship covered 15
Baby Announcement
families to get 12 meals over the 12
Ryan Wynia proudly announces
days of Christmas break. Pictured
the birth of a baby girl on December
are, back row L to R: Ryan Johnson
22. Audrey Wendy weighed 8 lbs.
(HS/MS Principal), Lisa Dinger
11 oz. and was 20 inches long.
(Child Guide), Ryan Wynia and
Congratulations, Ryan, Cory and
LaDonna Van Aartsen, and
big brother William!
front row L to R: Tara Zewiske
(Auditor and Child Guide and (continued on page 15)

LUVERNE UPDATE
(continued from page 14)
Audrey Wendy Wynia
Submitted by: Tara Zewiske,
Auditor
First Farmers & Merchants
Red Wing
Update
On October 18, a group of us
attended the annual Humane
Society fundraiser and dinner. It
was a great program and dinner.
Front row: Missy Anderson,
Krystyna Bremer, Amy Engnes and
Faye Elford
Back row: Megan Simonson,
Cheryl Anderson, Judy Hammes
and Deb Knowlton
Red Wing is happy to introduce our
newest employee, Cindy Carlson,
Teller. Cindy comes to us with over
20+ years of banking experience.
Cindy and her husband, Jim, live
in Red Wing and have three grown
children, Nicholas (Aleisha),
Katie and Stacy, and one grandson,
Bryce.
Cindy Carlson
Updates
The Annual Red Wing Chamber
Expo was held at the historic
St. James Hotel on October 23.
Relationship Business Banker
Amy Engnes and Credit Analyst
Missy Anderson provided lots of
information on commercial loans,
business banking and accounts.
They also provided information on
consumer products and services.
Missy Anderson and Amy Engnes
On October 27, Red Wing
participated in the annual “Trunk
or Treat.” It’s an event where
businesses take part in handing out
candy to local children. Head Teller
Colleen Phillips, VP/Customer
Service Manager Lynette Smerud,
and former Teller Judy Hammes,
aka the Three Little Pigs, and Teller
Martha Hanson, aka the Big Bad
Wolf, participated with their very
creative fireplace. Teller Krystyna
Bremer helped design the fireplace.
They had a great turnout.
Colleen Phillips, Lynette Smerud,
Judy Hammes, and Martha Hanson
(continued on page 16)
15
 Updates
RED WING UPDATE
(continued from page 15)
Our very own Trick-or-Treaters:
Missy Anderson (scary man), Judy
Hammes (strawberry), Colleen
Phillips (duck hunter), Martha
Hanson (skittles pox) and Krystyna
Bremer (Jake from State Farm)
We had a couple of Trick-or-
Treaters stop in the Bank on
Halloween. Krystana Bremer’s
children, Leah and Maxwell,
showed us their Halloween
costumes.
Leah and Maxwell
16
On December 13 we had our
Holiday Open House. It was a great
success, with many customers
stopping in for refreshments and
visiting. Unfortunately, no one
thought to grab a camera.
From all of us at the Red Wing
branch, we hope everyone is having
a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Submitted by: Cheryl Anderson,
Customer Service Representative
First Farmers & Merchants
Shared
Services
Update
Baby Boy!
Jared Schroeder (Security
Analyst) and his wife Jasmine
welcomed their second child,
Camden Mark, on September 1,
2018 at 5:34 p.m. Camden weighed
6 lbs., 14 oz. Finley Marie, almost
2 years old, loves being a big sister
to Camden. Congratulations,
Jared and Jasmine!
Camden Mark
New Arrival!
Bri Davis (Loan Processor) and
Jamie Tresidder welcomed Alana
Christine on October 9, 2018
at 2:14 p.m. Alana was 7 lbs.,
14 oz. and measured 20 inches.
Congratulations, Bri and Jamie!
Alana Christine
Another Baby Boy!
Brit Matt (Network Administrator)
and his wife, Nancy, welcomed
Espen John on December 10,
2018 at 6:01 p.m. Espen weighed
5 lbs., 6 oz. Congratulations, Brit
and Nancy!
Celebrate 50!
Tiffany Helgren (Loan Processor)
celebrated her 50th birthday
on December 6. Her office was
decorated with streamers, balloons,
confetti and a few posters with a
photo from a ‘few’ years ago…
Happy Birthday, Tiffany!
(continued on page 17)

SHARED SERVICES
UPDATE
(continued from page 16)
Tiffany Helgren
AAP Exam
Mary Kriesel (Training Officer)
and Ashley Jones (Information
Systems Assistant) passed the
Accredited ACH Professional
(AAP) exam in October 2018.
The exam included 120 questions
and took three hours to complete.
Accredited ACH Professionals
(AAPs) are an elite group of highly-
skilled payments professionals
nationally recognized for their
electronic payments expertise,
particularly within the field of
Automated Clearing House (ACH)
payments. Mary and Ashley agree
the test was very challenging and
took a lot studying! Congratulations,
Mary and Ashley!
Mary Kriesel and Ashley Jones
Submitted by: Mary Kriesel,
Training Officer
First Farmers & Merchants
Stewartville
Update
We have had a very festive fourth
quarter at FF&M in Stewartville.
There were cookies and Christmas
and general feelings of merriment
all around.
Our Christmas open house
event was held in Stewartville
on December 12 this year. We
had customers in and out all day,
enjoying cookies made by Rachel’s
Kitchen and sandwiches provided
by The Diner in Grand Meadow, and
other various delicious goodies. We
had a great time connecting with
our customers, as well as sharing
a meal. The open house is always
a hit with the customers, plus with
the weather cooperating this year,
we had a much better turnout than
last year. Brian Short was once
again in attendance and customers
enjoyed the opportunity to visit
with Brian and the Stewartville
staff.
Updates
The Stewartville location of
FF&M once again participated in
the annual Stewartville Christmas
Anonymous program this year. In
addition, the staff at Stewartville
again used their “Friday Jean Day”
money to give back to directly
participate in the program this
year. The consensus appears to be
that it is the best program to try to
make an immediate impact on the
local community, and did it ever!
Kayla Stockdale, Loan Assistant,
Anna Serrano, Teller/CSR, and
Dylan Smallwood, Commercial
& Ag Loan Officer, spent an
evening at Kohl’s picking out toys
and clothes to donate to Christmas
Anonymous on behalf of the bank.
A fun time was had by all and the
satisfaction was shared when we
got to assist in the toy pick-up.
Standing: Dylan Smallwood, Bill
Schimmel (Lions Member and City
Administrator), Dave Feddersen,
Troy Knutson (Lions Member and
Edward Jones Financial Advisor),
Pam Wilson
Seated: Anna Serrano and Kayla
Stockdale
We are VERY excited to announce
our newest employee, Teller Amy
Johnson! Some of you may know
Amy from her time spent as an
employee of the Brownsdale
(continued on page 18)
17
 Updates

STEWARTVILLE First Farmers & Merchants We ordered lunch in during

Customer Service Week and
UPDATE
(continued from page 17)
White Rock discussed the unique niche we have
at the White Rock location with
charter. She and her spouse
Chad have two daughters. In the
Update our customers.

Greetings from White Rock! November 1 was a pizza party to

summer, she enjoys going to their celebrate 25 years of service for
camper and spending time at the Operations Officer Julie Benrud
As the leaves were falling, we
Deer Creek Speedway races. Amy Luhman and 11 years for CSR
enjoyed a few Tricks and Treats
enjoys being with family and Lisa MacRae.
on Halloween. Ag Lender Calvin
friends. She has been in banking
Ryan and his family dressed
since 2000 and we are so very The next week we celebrated
as the Where’s Waldo clan and
excited to have her skillset with us Julie’s 50th birthday with more
Teller/CSR Carna Visagie and
here in Stewartville! pizza and so many yummy treats!
her daughter Kenzie dressed up as
Curious George and the Man in the
Our combined Advisory Board
Yellow Hat. We loved the creative
Christmas party was held on
costumes this year!
the evening of December 12 at
5West in Rochester. The food and
festivities were enjoyed by all.

We had a lot of FUN during our

holiday open house on December
14. We had a great turnout and a lot
of laughs. We even had President
Snowman make an appearance!

Stewartville Advisory Board:

Dave Feddersen, Tom Myhre, Jr.,
Lynne Benedict, Clair Mrotek, and
Brian Short
Retiring Grand Meadow Advisory Calvin Ryan Family
Board member Mark Carman
was honored for his dedication and
support from 2001 to 2018 (see
page 12). Thanks, Mark!

We are optimistic about the

upcoming year and look forward
to working with everyone in 2019.
Happy New Year!

Submitted by: Anna Serrano, President Snowman

Teller/CSR
Carna and Kenzie Visagie (continued on page 19)

18

WHITE ROCK UPDATE
(continued from page 18)
Lisa MacRae and Carna Visagie
We wrapped up the year with the
Toys for Tots donations. We had a
wide variety of fun gifts in the box,
including a guitar that was donated
by one of our awesome customers!
Lisa MacRae and Paul Drackley
We are looking ahead to a Merry
and Bright 2019!
Submitted by: Lisa MacRae,
Customer Service Representative
Admiral
Merchants
Update
This holiday season was one for the
books (and our waistlines). We are
very thankful for the many agents
and drivers who sent us treats and
hosted meals, from donuts to pizza
and pasta. We brought back an old
office tradition and hosted an ugly
sweater competition. Tim Neid,
Director of Information Systems,
took home the top prize. (I’m sure
you all can see why!)
Special thanks to one of our drivers,
Rob Kent, #6794 (who is a little
camera shy) for hand delivering
treats he made! Rob is pictured
here with Rob Zempel, Operations
Manager.
Earlier in the quarter, quite a few
members of the Admiral team
dressed up for Halloween, another
tradition here in our office.
Updates
Admiral gained three new
employees this past quarter.
Sammie Duerr and Chelsea
Plumley joined the busy Operations
team, working in Brokerage and
Permits, respectively. Their extra
help in processing and managing
the daily transactions will allow for
a higher level of customer service
for our business partners. Karen
Kieffer Pfitzer, who resides in
South Dakota, joined the Sales
team, traveling the nation working
with our Agent partners.
Sammie Duerr and Chelsea Plumley
Karen Kieffer Pfitzer
(continued on page 20)
19
 Updates / Wellness / Eagle Awards
ADMIRAL UPDATE
(continued from page 19)
Now that the holidays are over, it is
a good time to reflect on this past
year. Admiral had a great year in
2018, thanks to the hard work of
our drivers and agents. Not only did
the truck count grow from 517 to
570 (with a low point of 502 trucks
in March), our turnover rate at the
end of the year was an impressive
28.75%. That low of a turnover
rate is unusual in transportation.
Thank you to the many drivers who
helped us increase our ranks with
quality contractors and drivers.
Our revenue increased 22.6% over
2017, which was over twice the
increase from the previous year.
While the increase in business kept
all of us in the office very busy, we
need to thank the many agents who
worked hard to find loads and the
contractors who stayed out on the
road to haul them.
Wishing everyone a Happy New
Year, and may 2019 be safe and
prosperous.
Submitted by: Kelsea Briggs,
Front Desk
Editor’s note: Our apologies to
Admiral driver Yutaka Bell, whose
name was misspelled in the Fall
2018 issue of Hooray!.
20
Wellness
We have just completed our third
year of wearing a Fitbit and tracking
steps to earn time off and money. We
had 118 employees in the program
and of the total participants, 22 were
new to the program in 2018. While
not everyone had documented
steps each month or stayed in the
program all year, we still managed
to compile a total of 364,253,116
steps in 2018. The Fitbit program
paid out $7,270 and 1,039 hours of
time off for the year.
We are continuing the Fitbit
program in 2019 (with the new
option of employees using their
own preferred fitness wearable if
they send monthly screenshots of
their steps). I’m excited that we are
starting 2019 with 130 participants,
with 16 of the participants being
new to the program.
Don’t forget that every month
‘stands alone’ when it comes to
earning money. Every month that
you walk 300,000 steps or greater,
you will earn $10. And even better,
you can earn time off based on
your monthly averages over the
year. Please review the program
communication for specific details.
For extra motivation, feel free
to challenge your coworkers in
daily step challenges (or weekend
warrior, etc.). Or do what Brian
Pfarr does……just competes with
Brian Short and tries to beat him
each month.
Submitted by: Augusta Kirk, HR
Director
Eagle Awards
Admiral Merchants
Angi Weicherding
Safety Specialist
Submitted by: Admiral Team
It is with great pleasure that we
announce that Angi Weicherding,
Safety Specialist, is our 4th Quarter
2018 Eagle Award winner.
Angi joined the Admiral team in
June of 2018. In that short period
of time, she has had a positive
impact on the Safety team and the
company. She had a transportation
background before joining the
Admiral Merchants team. She
drove for FedEx and was involved
in training. She is very active in the
MTA, including the annual truck
rodeo.
Angi’s primary responsibilities
at Admiral revolve around the
maintenance records and DOT
inspections, but she also handles
passenger authorizations,
compliance letters, the No Load
List and roadside inspections. She
has learned quickly and spent the
first several months catching up
over a year’s worth of the Annual
(continued on page 21)

EAGLE AWARDS
(continued from page 20)
Safety Awards. This was a huge
project and she accomplished it!
Angi also works with the Freight
Coordinators to make sure all
our contractors are compliant.
We can always count on Angi’s
professionalism and enthusiasm.
She communicates well with our
contractors, even when conveying
unpopular news. Her positive
attitude has proven infectious and
she has a fantastic work ethic.
Whenever she is given a task or a
project, she completes it promptly
and professionally. Everyone loves
her white board with clever jokes,
puns and messages.
Angi’s efforts have been
instrumental in keeping the Safety
Department in compliance with
all federal and state regulations.
Thank you, Angi, we appreciate
everything you do!
Angi Weicherding
Eagle Awards
FF&M Austin has witnessed Patty’s handling
Patty Tewes of upset customers. “I swear she
Vice President/Operations can take someone who was upset
Manager about a fee that was charged and
Submitted by: Dale Larson,
make them happy about it, without
Brownsdale President, Faye giving, or waiving, the fee back
Haugen, Senior Vice President,
to them.” Patty always acts in the
and Doug Nuckolls, Charter
President best interest of the bank, but can
also make the customer realize that
Patty Tewes is as dependable as it is in their best interest as well,
you can get, and her leadership or at the very least, why the bank
abilities are second to none. She needed to take the position that it
has successfully motivated, led did. Senior Vice President Faye
and organized others to excel in Haugen adds, “I’m so impressed
the pursuit of this organization’s with how she handles stressful
goals. She leads by example and situations: staying composed, even-
sets high standards for herself and tempered and calm!”
teammates. Patty consistently
demonstrates good judgment, Leadership, dedication, integrity,
using effective decision-making and professionalism – all the
strategies. We cannot think qualifications for the Eagle
of a single instance where we Award – are just the beginning of
questioned the effectiveness of her descriptions that describe Patty.
decision-making. Patty has made
the retail side of this charter a real
team, working together for the
betterment of this organization.
Patty always takes the initiative,
not only with this charter, but
also through groups such as the
Operations group. She has solved
problems that no one else even
realized was a problem yet. She is
a visionary thinker and can put her
visions into practice.
Patty works effectively with
everyone: her supervisors, her
peers, the bank’s clients and
customers. She handles conflict
effectively and, just as important, Patty Tewes
professionally. Patty thrives
on providing excellent service
and has instilled that desire into
everyone who works with her.
President Doug Nuckolls says he
(continued on page 22)
21
 Eagle Awards
EAGLE AWARDS
(continued from page 21)
FF&M Grand Meadow
Dayna Stier
Loan Administrative Assistant/
Consumer Lender
Submitted by: Dave Feddersen,
President
Dayna Stier consistently
demonstrates dedication,
integrity and professionalism.
She has a strong work ethic and
has impressed coworkers and
management with her eagerness to
accept and learn new duties. Dayna
has great customer service skills. If
she doesn’t know the answer, she
takes appropriate steps to find the
answer by asking questions and/or
utilizing other resources to discover
the answer on her own. She appears
to be committed to the opportunity
to learn new tasks and grow in her
position, as was demonstrated by
her recent promotion to Consumer
Lender for all three bank locations.
During the bank’s challenges with
losing a Loan Assistant and having
to train a replacement at the bank’s
Stewartville location, Dayna
was instrumental in providing
coverage and helping to train the
replacement.
Dayna received 40% of the multiple
peer nominations for the fourth
quarter 2018 Eagle Award. Just
a few of the numerous accolades
provided in peer nominations
include: Dayna continues to amaze
me with her self-motivation; she is
a wonderful team player and always
wants to help; she is ready to take
on any project; she is always aware
of what is best for the company
and for the customers; Dayna is
22
an amazing asset to our team; she
is really reliable and has a strong
work ethic; if we need help with
anything she is always willing
to pitch in and help out; Dayna
is always willing to help her
coworkers; she has a great work
ethic and is sure to get all of her
work done on time; she is always
very kind and considerate to our
customers and her coworkers;
she is more than willing to help
answer any questions I have; she
is always smiling and talks in a
very professional manner; Dayna
is hard working and is someone to
look up to.
These descriptions appear to
convey an accurate description of
what customers and coworkers
have come to expect from Dayna
on a daily basis. She consistently
delivers a high level of customer
service to those around her, with a
positive attitude and a smile. Her
actions reflect a respect for those
around her and a concern for the
image and reputation of FF&M.
I believe Dayna consistently
demonstrates the qualities which
represent the Eagle and is an ideal
candidate for the Eagle Award.
Dayna Stier
FF&M Pipestone
Luke Black
Loan Officer
Submitted by: Tammy Ogdahl,
Chief Operations Officer, and
Linda Erickson, Customer
Service Representative
Luke Black has been a member of
the Pipestone team for a little over
a year and has quickly established
himself as a high-energy team and
customer focused individual.
Luke shows compassion and
dedication when assisting
his loan customers. He easily
develops a rapport based on not
only professionalism, but most
importantly, a personal level that
makes the customer feel at ease.
He makes a point of coming out of
his office to greet and spend time
getting to know his loan customers
even when they are doing business
elsewhere in the bank. As a new
member to the community, this
has resonated with his customers
and it is evident that they look
forward to this exchange when
they come into the bank. Luke
has quickly established himself
as a community-minded team
member, being elected to serve on
the Chamber Board of Directors in
2019.
Luke is dedicated to bringing an
exceptional customer experience
both externally and internally.
His high-energy attitude and
positive spirit is infectious with
all of his coworkers. He is quick
with a smile, laugh, and pat-
on-the-back to everyone in the
office. He has assisted with
(continued on page 23)

EAGLE AWARDS
(continued from page 22)
leading the bank’s involvement
with the Senior Dining/Meals on
Wheels partnership in 2018. When
discussing the challenges that this
community organization was facing
in late 2017, the desire to become
involved very much impacted
Luke. In the initial meetings to
discuss the partnership, Luke was
instrumental in coming up with
ways that FF&M could make a
difference with the organization.
Through this partnership in 2018,
FF&M volunteered over 70 hours
to the Senior Dining/Meals on
Wheels program in Pipestone.
Luke has been a vibrant addition to
the Pipestone office and brings an
exceptional banking experience to
everyone that he serves.
Luke Black
ANNIVERSARIES
ADMIRAL MERCHANTS
Matt Bunnell 22 years
Mary Alfano 17 years
Shawn Morrison 11 years
Kim Guzman 10 years
Dishon Smoot 5 years
Tony Reker 2 years
Nadine Miller 1 year
FF&M CANNON FALLS
Mary Mann 29 years
Greg Wulf 15 years
Laura Qualey 4 years
Kelsey Otte 4 years
Jan Schurtz 1 year
FF&M SHARED SERVICES
Tiffany Helgren 30 years
Cindy Koenders 20 years
Missy Newell 12 years
Ashley Jones 8 years
Mary Benson 4 years
Bri Davis 3 years
Carrie Johnson 3 years
Carly Otterness
Jane Duffy
2 years
2 years
Lisa Clow 1 year
FF&M WHITE ROCK
Julie Benrud Luhman 25 years
Lisa MacRae 11 years
LEAMINGTON CO.
Kenneth Lehner 4 years
Eagle Awards / News
NEW EMPLOYEES
ADMIRAL MERCHANTS
Samantha Duerr Broker Assistant
Chelsea Plumley Permit Assistant
Karen Kieffer Pfitzer Regional
Sales Director
FF&M FAIRMONT
Dan Driscoll Ag Lender
Tonja Smick Teller
FF&M GRAND MEADOW
Kayla Munsch Teller
FF&M PIPESTONE
Kelsey Weinkauf Teller
FF&M RED WING
Cindy Carlson Teller
FF&M STEWARTVILLE
Amy Johnson Teller
BABY
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FF&M PIPESTONE
Tom and Tammy Odgahl,
Vice President and Chief
Operations Officer, welcomed
their first grandchild, Lydia June
Ogdahl, on December 10, 2018.
Congratulations!
See Cannon Falls, Luverne, and
Shared Services Updates for more
baby announcements.
23
Hooray!
SHORT COMPANIES First Class Mail
U.S. Postage PAID
Cannon Falls, MN
Permit #38
215 South 11th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 332-4732

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

News

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENTS
FF&M FAIRMONT
Congratulations go out to CSR Becky Holland and her husband Curt on
the marriage of their daughter, Ariel Wenzel, to Trey Lapke on October
13. We wish the happy couple a lifetime of happiness.

FF&M PIPESTONE

Pam and Mike Hansen, Vice President & Senior Lending Officer,
celebrated the marriage of their son, Daniel, to Hannah Schmidt near
Kona, Hawaii, on December 3, 2018. Congratulations!

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