Gary and Joan Wittenauer pose in front of Hecker Feed Service, which they have reluctantly ended after 60 years and two generations of supporting farming in the region. (Alan Dooley photo)

The towering grain elevators and blue-and-white Hecker Feed Service sign have been a way of life in the village for 60 years.

Call it a sign of the times, but the owners have decided to call it quits.

Two generations of Wittenauers have engaged in running the business, serving area farmers by buying grain and selling animal feeds and fertilizers.

But recently, Gary and Joan Wittenauer closed their doors permanently. The property has been sold to other farming interests, who are not operating it as a feed mill.

And with that, the Wittenauers are drawing their labors there to a conclusion by year’s end. Joan explained that even though they have sold the business, there are still things to wrap up, including final tax returns.

“Gary is still here every day and I am here a lot, too,” she said.

Gary’s father, Joe Wittenauer, and partner Mel Lauer started the business in 1956. In 1966, Joe Wittenauer bought Lauer’s interests and became sole proprietor.
In 1989, Joe’s sons, Gibault Catholic High School graduates Gary and Ricky Wittenauer moved up to head the family business. Gary, in turn, married 1973 Waterloo High graduate Joan, in 1975.

In 2004, Gary bought Ricky out.

Asked as they contemplated what they’d miss the most as they wound the business down, Joan stated, “It will be the people we dealt with.”

Joan told how farmers used to come into the office early in the day to share cookies, donuts, coffee and stories.

“Our customers – the local farmers – were the reason we came to work every day. And, of course to make a buck, too,” Gary said with a laugh.

Joan told how she worked intermittently as their three children – two girls and a boy – came into their lives.

“I did a little of everything,” she said. “I even delivered fertilizer buggies to farmers. Gary was out doing everything else.”

Once the children were all in school, Joan became a full-time part of the business, assuming all paperwork duties in the office.

“When we started, everything was done on paper,” she said.

“And it still would be if I had my way,” Gary said with his characteristic loud laugh.

But they both agreed that growing levels of government regulations and intricacies of business finances drove them to computerize record keeping and operations.

The Wittenauers seem to be the epitome of eternal optimists, but when asked when times were toughest, Gary paused before recalling the 1980s.

“Interest rates were sky high.  We saw loans at 14-15 percent,” he said soberly. “And that was tough on farmers – our customers and friends.”

Gary and Joan, who have worked side-by-side for 40 years, said they have done so smoothly.

“It’s hard not to take something home in the evening some times, but we sure managed,” she said.

Asked why the business wasn’t continuing as a family enterprise, Joan said the youngsters just developed other interests.

“They’ve done very well, all have earned master’s degrees and are very successful,” Gary said.

One resides in Virginia, another in St. Louis and a third has remained in Hecker.

The Wittenauers were recently honored by the Hecker Village Board and are sure to be missed by farmers who dealt with them daily for decades.

But you can rest assured they are remaining integral parts of the village.

Asked if he was going to engage in new responsibilities, Gary smiled and asked rhetorically, “Do you think the city council, volunteer fire department, Fish Water Commission and Monroe County Economic Development Corporation will keep me busy enough?”

They probably will, and best of all, they’ll keep them both firmly anchored in their home community.