Get to Know Farmers Union Insurance Jenn Wickstrom, Buffalo Agency

In 2013 Jenn and David Wickstrom welcomed their daughter, Joey, into the world. Their hearts were overflowing with love and joy. Joey also came with a couple surprises – she was blessed with Down Syndrome, but also a heart defect that would soon need to be repaired.

This is when the community they loved gathered to show them support. “The community supported us financially and emotionally,” explained Jenn. “This is the reason I fell in love with Buffalo when I moved here 28 years ago. I knew it was a special community then because I quickly learned the people will do anything for each other. We all have each other’s back and I have seen these people rally behind each other time after time.”

Today, Joey is a healthy, happy 11-year-old. And one way Jenn is able to give backto her community is through her work as a Farmers Union Insurance agent and the livestock feed store she operates with her husband, David, son, Harley Mollman, and his wife, Jenny. David is also a middle school math and special education teacher at Harding County School. Jenn is also mom to Lincoln, Shawnee and Peyton.

Jenn shared an example of being able to help ranchers recoup some funds for cattle lost during a blizzard.

“Being able to take care of a neighbor in a situation where they experience a disaster – and because we worked together before the disaster to make sure their risk is covered, they end up being OK – this is what I enjoy about the work I get to do,” Jenn said.

Jenn is supported in the insurance work she does by her mentor and recently retired insurance agent, Jim Erk.

“Jim is still very much a part of what we do. He is available when we have questions and is a wonderful mentor and friend,” explained Jenn, who began working for Erk as a Customer Service Representative a few years before Joey was born.

After Joey’s birth, Jenn felt she needed to take some time away from work to focus on Joey. “Jim was amazing. He said, ‘you need to be home.’”

Once Joey was school-age, Jim asked Jenn to return to insurance. When he was ready to retire, Jenn took over the insurance business and Jim’s other business, WM Feed. And she asked her son and daughter-in-law to help her out.

“Because this is ranch country, working in the same building as our small feed store is another way to help our customers out,” Jenn explained. She added that she values the opportunity to work with her family. “We are all licensed and we all have our strengths. Jenny is an accountant, Harley is so great with learning about customers’ needs. Most importantly, we all want to do what is best for our customers and community.”