In honor of our 75th anniversary, Mid-County is proud to sponsor the music and entertainment events at Glad Days 2010, Friday and Saturday July 30-31. Come on over and enjoy the fun at our Entertainment Tent where we will be hosting live music, magic show, beer garden, great food, softball, kids games, and much more!
 It is with a heavy heart that the Board and Staff of Mid-County Coop announce the passing of long-time board director, Merlyn Wanous. You may view funeral arrangements by clicking the link at left. |
After 33 years of dedicated service, Merlyn Wanous, 76, has retired from the Mid-County Coop board of directors.
“I think I only missed six meetings in my entire career,” Wanous said. “I tried to make every one.”
In 1976, Wanous was nominated to the board of directors by the driver that delivered fuel oil to Wanous’ home.
“I went to the annual meeting, and all of a sudden I was elected,” he laughed. That initial three-year term was the start of several years as Mid-County Coop’s board president, and later, vice president.
“It was very interesting and rewarding,” Wanous said, explaining that he liked finding solutions to problems and watching the company change and grow.
At first, Wanous was on the board at MN Victoria Oil. In 1998, the company merged with Mid-County Coop of Cologne. “When we merged, Victoria was a small coop and Mid-County was a large coop,” Wanous said. “It was a fantastic move on both parts.”
In addition to his service at Mid-County, Wanous was also a post office worker for 30 years. Wanous and his wife, Betty, have three adult children and eight grandchildren. Their son, Duane, lives on the family farm in Silver Lake.
In 2006, Wanous and Betty sold their property in Excelsior and purchased a modular home on the farm. The move came just in time, because Wanous was diagnosed with cancer shortly after. Being close to family helped make chemotherapy treatments much easier. “The good Lord blessed us,” Wanous said.
Since 2006, Wanous has suffered from prostate and bone cancer. He was recently diagnosed with leukemia, as well, but keeps an enthusiastic and joyful attitude. “It doesn’t do much to cry,” he said.
Wanous finds enjoyment in nature, and he especially loves to watch the birds near his country home. “Betty has all kinds of bird feeders out here,” he said. Last year, eight bluebirds hatched on their property.
It’s clear that Wanous will be greatly missed at Mid-County Coop. “I had a fantastic farewell party,” Wanous said. “The board members in Cologne have been fantastic to work with.”
Shawn Eastman of Victoria was recently elected to the Mid-County Coop board of directors.
Eastman, a dedicated Mid-County customer, brings years of management experience to the Mid-County Coop board. He has lived on the Marsh Lake Hunting Club property since 1981, and has been general manager there since 2001.
“I feel that I’m always fair with people, and I listen to people’s needs,” Eastman said. “My job as a board member will be to help make sure everything’s running smoothly.”
In addition to his three-year term with Mid-County, Eastman is also actively involved in the community. He participates in the Lion’s Club, teaches firearm safety training, and hosts a free conservation day each year at the hunting club.
Eastman grew up in Fridley and graduated from Coon Rapids High School. He attended the University of Minnesota, Crookston, earning a degree in natural resources. Eastman started working at the hunting club as a seasonal guide during college. In 1986, he became the assistant manager and dog trainer.
Eastman’s wife, Wendy, grew up on the Marsh Lake Hunting Club property. “That’s how we met,” Eastman said. “I ended up marrying the boss’s daughter.” Eastman and Wendy have two sons. Riley, 22, recently graduated from college, and Jared, 20, is attending the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
In his spare time, Eastman enjoys participating in an archery league, fishing, and hunting. “Duck hunting is probably my favorite,” Eastman said, adding that he also enjoys deer, turkey, and pheasant hunting.
Including Eastman, there are currently seven people serving on the Mid-County Coop board of directors. Mid-County Coop was founded in 1935 as a petroleum product supplier for Carver County. Throughout the years, Mid-County’s services have expanded to include a convenience store, a complete agronomy division, a widely expanded energy division, propane delivery service, and an auto, truck, and tire center.
Mid-County Agronomy is proud to welcome Art Templin as its new agronomy administrative assistant. With 33 years in the agronomy industry, Templin is excited to serve Mid-County with his experience and expertise.
Templin, who started at Mid-County Dec. 14, is already enjoying his work, which includes inventory, billing, and other administration tasks.
“I’m pretty much right where I want to be,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed the paperwork and data entry.” Before coming to Mid-County Agronomy, Templin had been the location manager for Hutchinson Co-op. Templin had been at the same company since 1976, although he worked in different locations and the company had a few name changes. He had been the location manager at what had previously been Glencoe Butter and Produce for more than 25 years.
For Templin, a career in the agronomy industry was a perfect fit. “I grew up on a farm,” he said. “This was as close as I could get without actually farming.”
Templin’s father owned a dairy farm near Plato. Templin, who graduated from Glencoe High School in 1968, cash cropped on 80 acres before starting his career. “I enjoy working with the customers and farmers,” Templin said, adding that he also likes visiting with fertilizer and chemical representatives.
“I really enjoy the new technology that keeps coming down the road,” he said. Templin has taken several agronomy classes, management courses, and training sessions to stay up-to-date on current issues. He has also been a certified crop advisor.
When he’s not working, Templin enjoys spending time with his wife, Diane, as well as his two children and two grandchildren. His granddaughter, Chloe, and grandson, Riley, are both 2 years old. “They were born nine days apart,” Templin said.
Templin’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, and classic cars. He owns a 1971 Chevy El Camino and a 1957 Chevy Bel Air.
