Lori Andera has her work cut out for the new insurance agent at Sterling State Bank.

She is Marilyn Berg's replacement.

If ever there were big shoes to fill, they are Berg's.

She is a legend in the local insurance industry.

On Tuesday, she was the honoree of a gala open house reception that went on from morning to afternoon.

There was a large photo exhibit, showing Berg through the years. Forty-five to be exact.

She has retired after 4 1/2 decades.

"Two of my original customers, Ernie Loecher and Jim Strouf, were there for the retirement party," she said. "There were others, but I remember them for coming to me 45 years ago for insurance.

"I've had a great time. It's been wonderful."

Andera has experience and is a licensed agent. She joins three other licensed agents working for agency manager, Jim Marx.

Cindy Folken, a 31-year veteran, is next in line for longevity purposes.

The agency is a subsidiary of Sterling State Bank of Austin.

However, Berg's career began elsewhere.

Insurance all the way

Marilyn (Hansen) Berg is a native of Austin, who graduated St. Augustine Catholic High School.

One of seven children in her family, she went to work at the Riviera Supper Club.

She married Donald Berg, who died a year ago of cancer, in 1958. "That's when I got started in insurance. I was hired as a secretary for Carl Griebelz," she said.

Griebel's agency was purchased by the Osterud Agency in 1962. First Bank Minnesota acquired the insurance business in 1983 and in 1995 Earl Nelson called about a job.

"It was 1995, when Mr. Nelson still owned Sterling bank and he called and asked me if I was interested in a job. I was 62 years old at the time and I decided to take it. Can you imagine that at that age?" she said.

Her professionalism and courteous service soon endeared her to customers, who told their friends about Berg and came to her for their insurance needs.

"I think one of the assets that I had was the interest and compassion I showed in my clients," she said. "Particularly the older customers. I knew what they wanted and I understood them."

Berg also said she learned a lot from Leland Kittleson, vice president at Home Federal Savings and Loan, when she worked for an insurance agency there.

"He understood how important customers were and it was a case of a little bit of honey will attract more bees than vinegar," she said.

She and her husband, Donald, had no children and when her husband's health deteriorated and she had to remain at home to care for him, her employers understood.

"They were very understanding. They're just the greatest people to work for," she said.

On Tuesday, Berg accepted hugs and handshakes and the congratulations of all. In her career, she has served multiple generations' insurance needs.

Now, her house is sold and she's living comfortably at Chauncey Apartments.

"It was overwhelming," she said of Tuesday's open house. "I never seen so many people come and go all day long. Sterling State Bank has been so good to me."

And, vice-versa the bank's grateful employees and their customers say.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com