A ribbon cutting and open house was held on Friday, December 9, to celebrate the improvements to the recently remodeled and relocated insurance office at 118 S Main. Frei Insurance Agency moved into the offices earlier this year and has been conducting business there since January 3, 2022.

Prior to the move this year the agency location had been within the Commercial State Bank building on Main Street. Most people thought the agency was owned by the bank but to the contrary a Frei family member has always held ownership of the standalone company and rented space to operate the agency from within the bank. The Frei Insurance Agency and a member of the Frei family serving as an insurance agent, or an owner goes back to the early days of Walter H. Frei. In fact, one of the agency’s current companies, CNA Surety has on record that the agency has been appointed with them since 1923. That history proves the Frei Insurance Agency has been around the community for almost 100 years starting with the family’s great grandfather Walter H. Frei. After Walter, the agency incorporated with the State of South Dakota in 1983 while under ownership of Robert H. Frei (grandfather) and Donald Juffer. Robert H Frei then passed his ownership to his son, Robert L. Frei (father-in-law). Prior to Rob’s death he had transferred his ownership to his wife Jill M. Frei. Patricia Frei became an owner of the agency in 2014 when she purchased Don Juffer’s share of the agency. Together Patty and Jill owned the agency until 2021 when Jill sold her shares of the agency to Patty.

Patricia Frei started her journey with Frei Insurance Agency back on December 31, 2004, when she joined the staff as a life & health and property & casualty insurance agent as well as a bank employee. Prior to this employment Patty was an Aflac insurance agent, receptionist at Isebrands Dental, and bookkeeper at Triple F Supply all while also helping on their family farm with her husband Robert W. (Bill) Frei and children Colton and Callie. In 2019, she added a crop insurance license designation to her list of insurance producer lines.

The remodel started in 2021 when Patty and Bill Frei purchased the building from Francis Doom. Wanting to keep the agency on Main Street of Wagner was one of the goals of the relocation, but it came with a lot of changes to create the office space needed all while planning for future expansion. The agency office used to be two smaller office/business spaces on the front main street facing side of the building. With a vision and lots of Pinterest photos the idea became reality with the help of Kuhlman Construction LLC. The Kuhlman Construction crew did a great job of demolishing the old space and starting fresh with new offices, waiting area and reception desk. Other local contractors also had a hand in making the office come to life. CSI Current Solutions Inc. did the electrical, Spreckels Heating and Cooling did the HVAC work, DK Flooring installed the new flooring, and Mike Novak with Wagner Building Supply did the plumbing. The agency office was moved on December 31, 2021 and Patty started taking calls and seeing customers on January 3, 2022. Moving to a new location has been a great opportunity for the agency and the customers they serve. The vision was to create a welcoming environment that was both professional and inviting to all. 2022 has been a fast year and the new year is right around the corner. Frei Insurance Agency invites their customers and non-customers in the community to stop by and say hi. They have calendar diaries and small sticky calendars for the new year. If you didn’t get a chance to stop by at the Holiday Open House, stop in on Friday December 16th to view the Parade of Lights from the cozy warm office at Frei Insurance Agency which has two large windows facing Main Street. They will be serving hot chocolate and snacks prior to the parade.