Lundquist marks 50 years at Citizens

Lynne Lundquist displays the awards she received for marking 50 years in banking.

Lynne Lundquist (seated) celebrated at the BankIn Minnesota awards ceremony along with (standing left to right) Bob Nichol, Kourtney Franck, Brian Lundquist, Karly Franck and Brian Doyle

In Lynne Lundquist's 50 years at Citizens State Bank, she's experienced a lot of changes.

She has worked for four bank presidents and three different ownership groups. She has experienced a bank name and location change and a handful of core conversions.

Through it all, Lundquist has been a key cog in the wheel at Citizens. During the summer, she received two awards for her milestone accomplishment of 50 years, receiving the Pioneer Banker Award from the Minnesota Banker's Association and the Legacy from BankIn Minnesota.

Lundquist was hired as a personal secretary to then Vice President Clinton Kurtz on June 1, 1974. Kurtz would go on to become president, CEO and an owner of Citizens State Bank.

“Clint's personal secretary at the time, Joyce Heckmann, was leaving the bank to take care of her young son Jeremy and help her husband Rich on the family farm,” Lundquist said. “Back in the 1970s, you usually applied for a job by taking a typing test. Instead, Clint wanted to see my report card. Upon seeing my grade average, he offered me the job and the rest is history.”

Lundquist credits Kurtz for giving her many opportunities early in her career.

“I told Clint I wanted to be kept busy while I learned about banking. He didn't disappoint me,” Lundquist said. “Clint carried around a Dictaphone which he would speak into throughout the day with various items I needed to take care of from doing correspondence to preparing his loans for customers, maintaining employee benefits, helping the bookkeepers post and balance daily transactions, assisting Clint and his wife Pat with bank events and promotions, bank marketing, and working at auctions just to name a few.”

It's fair to say Lundquist has had the opportunity to wear many hats; from loan officer to cashier. In her current role as Vice President – Administrative Officer, she manages the bank's IRA and HSA portfolio, is the bank's BSA Officer and HR manager, and is part of the bank's senior management team.

“She was willing to evolve as the bank grew, became more complex, and offered additional products to its customers,” said former president Perry Forst, who worked with Lundquist for 38 years. “Lynne also helped to shape and guide the bank as a member of the senior management team.”

Lundquist said the changes were challenging yet enjoyable. “I was able to learn different ways to help the bank and customers through new products and software. I enjoyed learning the different products, software, banking regulations and compliance,” Lundquist said.

“Throughout Lynne's career, bank customers placed their confidence in her because they viewed her as a trusted resource,” Forst said. “A hometown banker who researched their questions or ideas, and then she presented options for them to consider.”

Lundquist said she has enjoyed all aspects of banking. “I like to help find a resolution for customers and the bank,” she added. “I like dealing with family generations, bank examiners and auditors. The customers are a very important part of my job and the highlight of my day. I like helping them find options and solutions to resolve any concerns and questions they are going through and visiting and building relationships with them.”

“Lynne's achievement of 50 years in banking is incredible, but to do it all at Citizens is just amazing,” current Citizens State Bank President Jason Winter said.

Lundquist plans to retire at the end of 2024.

“Lynne's years of involvement in the community and her experience in nearly every area of the bank have played a critical part in the bank's success,” Winter added. “Thank you, Lynne, for your 50-plus years of service.”