Sterling State Bank is honored to nominate President Emeritus Jerald F. Mohrfeld to the Minnesota Bankers Association Pioneer Club, which honors banking leaders with at least 50 years of industry experience.

What makes this nomination especially meaningful is the fact that Jerry has spent his entire banking career with Sterling State Bank, according to a press release.

Born in Howard County, Iowa, in Elma, Mohrfeld was the youngest of five children. Growing up in a farm family, he learned the values of hard work and integrity at an early age. Graduating from high school with a senior class of 13, he entered the Marine Corps in 1953, where he served a tour of duty in Japan.

His military service complete, Mohrfeld enrolled in Hamilton Business College in Mason City, where he graduated in 1958 earning a degree in executive accounting. His first job after college was working collections for Thorp Loan & Thrift Co. in Albert Lea. After several years he was promoted to manager and of the company’s Faribault office. This early training and experience instilled a deep appreciation for the positive difference that sound credit decisions make for both the lender and borrower.

In 1959 Mohrfeld and his wife, Evelyn, were married. Together they raised five children and will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary this year. Evie shares Jerry’s strong commitment to service in their community and is an active volunteer with the Mower County Senior Center and the Historic Hormel Home.

In June of 1964 Mohrfeld joined Sterling State Bank as a loan officer and began his career at the bank making installment loans and managing collections. Promoted to vice president in 1968, Mohrfeld continued his career serving agricultural and commercial customers. Eventually his leadership role expanded with his promotion to president, serving from 1974 to 2000.

Throughout his tenure at Sterling State Bank, Mohrfeld has served with distinction under four successive ownership groups. Over the years he has become an integral part of Austin and Mower County. Jerry is truly the banker in Austin, never missing weddings, baptisms, graduations or funerals for his family of customers.

“The entire Sterling State Bank family is inspired and honored to work with Jerry and learn from his experience,” says Sterling President Justin McNeilus. “Jerry’s integrity and commitment to our customers, our community and the banking profession is an inspiration. We’re incredibly proud of what he has accomplished.”

Eligible nominees were inducted into the Pioneer Club at the Minnesota Bankers Association’s 125th annual meeting on June 10 in Brainerd.

Sterling State Bank is a community bank with offices in Austin, Lyle, Rochester, Lakeville, Savage and Apple Valley.