Peoples Insurance Named a 'Platinum Partner Agency' by Western National Insurance Group
3/16/2023
Western National Insurance Group today announced that Rock Valley, Iowa-based Peoples Insurance has been named one of Western National’s Platinum Partner Agencies for 2023.The Western National Platinum Partner recognition is announced annually to spotlight an elite group of partners who have excelled based on performance and growth over the past year. An agency must also demonstrate that they meet high standards of professional excellence and integrity in order to be considered for this recognition. Peoples Insurance’s place among this list is a testament to the overall quality of the agency’s insurance professionals and their commitment to meeting the needs of their insurance clients.
This recognition places Peoples Insurance as a top Personal Lines Partner for Western National.
Farmers Mutual Scholarship Award Winners

Farmers Mutual Insurance Service Award Scholarship 2021
Farmers Mutual Insurance of Hull is again providing twenty $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors in Northwest Iowa whose families are insured with our company.
Pictured above from left to right:
- Presenting the scholarship certificate are Blake Kruger and Lisa Dykstra, representing Peoples Insurance in Sioux Center. Accepting the scholarship award is Samantha Vermeer from Sioux Center High School. Samantha is the daughter of Mark and Tricia Vermeer and plans on attending Northwestern College this fall.
- Presenting the scholarship certificate is Scott Mantel, representing Peoples Insurance in Rock Valley. Accepting the scholarship award is Lexie Van Kekerix from Rock Valley High School. Lexie is the daughter of Bruce and Lisa Van Kekerix and plans on attending Northwestern College this fall.
- Presenting the scholarship certificate is Lisa Dykstra, representing Peoples Insurance in Sioux Center. Accepting the scholarship award is Edwin Buiter from Unity Christian High School. Edwin is the son of Jon and Eileen Buiter and plans on attending McPherson College this fall.
The Service Award Scholarship is based on academic achievements, community and church involvement, as well as future goals of the student. As a local insurance company, we recognize the importance of the youth in our area, and want to support them. Congratulations again to Samantha, Lexie, and Edwin on receiving this award!
Peoples Bank in Lester Announces Move to Accommodate Growth

New Location Will Also House Peoples Insurance
January 29, 2021
Peoples Bank in Lester, Iowa, is excited to announce plans to break ground this spring to construct a new bank building in Lester. They will be moving from their current location at 501 Thomas Street to the north side of Highway 9, next to Keith’s Korner, this fall.
The new facility will be approximately 5,400 square feet, which is over 2,000 square feet more than the current office space. The new building will provide the bank and insurance staff with much-needed space to accommodate growth. It will feature enhanced highway visibility, additional offices, a bigger lobby, a conference room, and a more accessible drive up, which will include a second lane for an ATM.
“We have been in our current building since 1981 and have experienced a lot of local and corporate bank expansion since that time,” said Peoples Bank Lester President Merlin Meyer. “We have staff who service our local customers, as well as staff performing corporate functions. This new facility will be able to accommodate our continuous growth.”
“We are grateful to Lester Feed & Grain, Michael and Ashley Leuthold, and Kathy Moser for their willingness to work with us, and provide the opportunity for the bank to purchase property from them to make this development a reality,” Meyer continued. “This project represents our commitment to invest in our community, customers, and employees. We will be better equipped to take care of the financial and insurance needs of our community now and into the future.”
Peoples Bank & Peoples Insurance in Hawarden to Relocate for Enhanced Customer Experience

New Building to Reinforce Innovative Culture & Customer Commitment
Peoples Bank & Peoples Insurance in Hawarden are excited to announce plans to move to a newly constructed building in Hawarden. They will be moving from their current location at 801 Central Avenue to the corner of Highways 10 & 12, the current location of Big Sioux Embroidery.
The new space will be more efficient for staff, as well as customers. It will feature a more accessible drive up, which will include a second lane for the ATM.
“We look forward to relocating to our new building,” commented Peoples Bank Hawarden President Michelle Klocke. “This move represents our commitment to our community, customers, and staff for an enhanced banking experience and place to work. We will be better equipped to take care of your financial needs now and into the future.”
Big Sioux Embroidery(Opens in a new Window) will continue to operate in its current location through early summer until it relocates.
"We are excited about our new adventure and look forward to seeing Peoples Bank and Peoples Insurance expand to our current lot,” said Carol Hoogestraat, Owner of Big Sioux Embroidery.
“Hawarden has been a great community to operate the company in, and we have had great success here,” continued Hoogestraat. “We will be in our present location for a couple more months and then make the move to our new home at 1001 Central Avenue, the corner of Highway 10 and Central Avenue. We will be investing in the location by adding an addition to handle our increased production needs."
Klocke appreciates Hoogestraat’s partnership through this process.
“Carol has been great to work with through this entire process,” Klocke said. “We are also grateful to the City of Hawarden(Opens in a new Window) and Hawarden’s Community and Economic Development(Opens in a new Window) for all of their cooperation and assistance.”
The Peoples Bank and Peoples Insurance staffs look forward to moving to their new building around March 2022.