After more than 40 years selling insurance, the past 29 with Colfax Farmers Mutual Insurance Company in Tarkio, Missouri, Kelly Rohlfsen is retiring.

Kelly came to Tarkio in 1997 as the new manager of the Colfax Insurance Agency and secretary of Colfax Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, a company that was formed in 1890. He’d grown up in Lake Okoboji, Iowa, graduated from the University of South Dakota, obtained his insurance license in 1987, and became a Certified Insurance Counselor in 1991. Along with his wife, Kris, and sons, Brandon, Kyler, and Derek, Kelly not only made Tarkio his home, but became an integral thread in the tightly woven community of businessmen/wom-en and residents, even being named the Citizen of the Year one year. Kelly has also been a member of the Tarkio Chamber of Commerce, a Carpenter Trust trustee, a Tarkio Golf Club board member and board president, and church board member and trustee of the Tarkio Methodist/Good News Church.

When he first walked into the office at 400 Main Street in 1997, everything was done the old-fashioned way. Lavada Evans and Claudine Baer were helping to write and file the policies by hand. Although the women did a spectacular job, Kelly quickly decided that automation was the next step in bringing the company up-to-date with the times and besides renovating the office itself, everything became computerized. As the years progressed, it was apparent that the office space they were working in was too small and Kelly began looking for a new location. In 2011, a large garage at 208 Walnut Street in Tarkio was purchased and converted into a new office building. The building provided more office space, a waiting room, and a board room while still providing easy access to customers, as it sits directly beside Hwy. 136.

Over the years, Nancy Hurst, Jamie Stoner, Telesa Lundy, Lisa Clement, and Stephanie Stevens have provided office support, as well as Craig Martin, whose Martin Realty office is also located in the building. With Kelly’s exit, Telesa will be stepping into his shoes. At this time, Kelly will continue on as a board member, but eventually Telesa will take his place. Many directors have sat on the board, mostly farmers, but currently, Kelly is joined by Craig, as well as Cecil Demott and four South Missouri board members associated with SurSafe Mutual Insurance, one of the companies Colfax is associated with. Besides computerization, a change in board members, and a new location, Colfax has also expanded its reach to include offices in Rock Port, Maryville, Mound City, Craig, Hopkins, Stanberry, and Grant City.

After 40 years of selling insurance, Kelly decided it was time to take a step in a new direction, one of retirement and spending more time with his family. He also plans to spend more time golfing, biking, gardening, doing yard work, fishing, and boating. However, he will definitely miss working with his clients and fellow board members and workers, who have become like family. Clients and the community are encouraged to come say “goodbye” and “well done” at a retirement reception to be held in his honor Friday, May 1, at Colfax’s office. Stop by 208 Walnut Street in Tarkio from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A light lunch will be provided.