State Farm to celebrate 100 years ‘Like a Good Neighbor’

CRESCO - When it comes to insurance, the name State Farm rings the words trustworthy, reliable, strength and dependable! 

That may be the reason State Farm will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. The slogan, “Like a Good Neighbor,” resonates with the many agents around the country, including Cresco’s Don Dietzenbach, who has owned his agency since January 1st, 2007.

Located on 309 2nd Ave. SW in Cresco, right on Hwy. 9, Dietzenbach and his staff will be celebrating the State Farm 100th Anniversary milestone the week of July 18 through July 22. They will offer daily treats and many door prizes, but will also give the first 100 people to stop in the office some free State Farm 100th Anniversary merchandise. They are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and ask that their customers and the public just stop by and enjoy themselves with a visit.

“The 100th anniversary actually took place on June 7th, 2022 as G.J. Mercherle––a retired farmer––founded the company back in 1922 wanting to help the rural insurance customer,” stated Dietzenbach, who is proud of the heritage of what State Farm represents. “He felt that the rural folks should not pay as much for insurance as the city folks, stating that the average rural person went into town only once a week, adding that the risk was much less for them.”

The slogan “Like a Good Neighbor” was penned in 1971, but it relates with Dietzenbach today, as well as the 19,200 agents living in communities spread across the states. State Farm has nearly 85 million policies and accounts in force in the states and handles nearly 36,000 claims each day.

 

Family Owned Agency 

“I truly enjoy being a business owner, especially the entrepreneur part of it,” stated Dietzenbach, who has licensed team members Rachael Underbakke and Eric Shimek helping him. “It’s always enjoyable to talk with and help people out, whether it’s about retirement or just helping with a claim. It’s being there and helping when they need you.”

Dietzenbach had grown up near Protivin and lived in Wisconsin prior to moving his family back to Cresco to purchase the State Farm business from Dick Ehrich just over 16 years ago. 

“We had wanted to move back to Northeast Iowa and had two of our three boys at the time,” said the agent, who has three boys in Nick (18), Nate (17) and Noah (14). “We knew this would be a great place to raise a family and we were right.”

Dietzenbach said that he had no background in insurance, but knew the opportunity existed, provided he follow through with the process of becoming an agent. Following six months of intense training, testing to get his license, plus all the other hoops he had to go through in learning the business, he and his wife, Kris, took over the State Farm agency. 

“Kris and I started the first three months on our own, but we added a team member shortly thereafter. Later, in 2011, Kris went on to become a surgical technician and broke off from the agency.”

 

Have Since Expanded

It was in 2009 that Dietzenbach built a new office building right next to the old one (now owned by Johnson Accounting, Tax, Computers & TV) and continues to operate out of that facility.

The company has since expanded what they offer, providing the usual personal, business and farm insurance with auto, home, commercial and agriculture/farm, but have expanded considerably into financial services and retirement planning. 

“It’s in the financial services end of the business that I have a passion for,” commented Dietzenbach, who has since been licensed for that line of work as well. “I really like working with young adults and young families to help them out. It’s a good feeling when you see them succeed.”

He stated that they currently offer IRAs, Annuities and more in helping get a family where they need to retire comfortably, and with his help, most any goal can be accomplished. Dietzenbach said he can also work with established plans in making them better, but also help couples––later in their years––retire properly by helping them with tax savings when they sell a property, a business, a farm. 

“We can help no matter what age.” 

Some other changes for his State Farm business since 2007 took place during the Covid-19 Pandemic. However, it’s only made the company more diversified in how to accomodate its customers. 

“When the Pandemic took place very few of our customers wanted to come to the office,” said Dietzenbach, who had to act quick (like many businesses) in keeping his customer base happy. “At first it was plenty of e-mails and through the phone, but soon after we started virtual appointments as well––talking with a client face-to-face on the computer. We could help them any way they wanted to be helped, making them feel comfortable with how business was being handled.”

Another plus for the agency is expanding into Wisconsin and Minnesota in keeping his customers satisfied. 

“About four years ago I became licensed as an agent in Minnesota and about two years ago in Wisconsin,” said Dietzenbach. “We have several customers who do business in more than one state and this is a way we can accomodate them. Also, if a customer maybe purchases a condo in another state, or lake property, we can help them out.”

 

Interesting Business . . . 

As for “interesting” claims for insurance over the years . . . 

“We had one client hit a deer with his vehicle and while in the shop getting fixed, he hit another with a different vehicle,” chuckled Dietzenbach, who felt for the driver, but couldn’t believe his misfortune. 

 

“We had another hit a deer and couldn’t find the damage. They went on and showed deer foot prints on top of the car. It was a lower-based vehicle and the deer had jumped over the car.”

No matter what the story, the State Farm crew in Cresco can help! 

Dietzenbach commented that he is “very grateful” for the customer loyalty he has seen over the 16 years of owning the agency and appreciates working with everyone.

“Just come in an give us a visit and enjoy some refreshments and possibly win some door prizes,” said Dietzenbach. “We welcome everyone.”