Forward Mutual Insurance Company

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Blessings to Our Sharon

This week we tried bribing our office assistant Sharon Wolff with flowers and gifts, but sadly for us she still plans to retire. This coming Monday, September 9 will be the last day she graces us with her friendly, welcoming smile.

Sharon joined Watertown Mutual on March 5, 2007 and came to Forward Mutual in our 2009 merger. At that time she scanned every Watertown policyholder file into our imaging system and pulled tons of staples. 

Over her 12 1/2 years of service, Sharon has been a very reliable, dependable, honest, and caring team player. She took care of everything from the mail, postage meter, premium payments, greeting phone callers and visitors, and remembering birthdays. She willingly assisted with wherever needed to be done.  She hates to smile for a photo, but her heart is always smiling.

Sharon went from full time to part time in 2016, so this actually her second retirement. We’re going to miss her greatly. Who’s going to decorate our Christmas tree?!

We wish Sharon the Lord’s blessings. May she and Roy continue to enjoy their grandchildren, along with many more Harley-Davidson journeys together.

An Unexpected Loss

We in the insurance industry commonly deal with unexpected losses. However, nothing prepares us for the sudden death of a dear loved one. 

The Forward Mutual family is greatly saddened to share that our director Donald Reese passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 10. Don has been a board member since 2001 and served as our secretary/treasurer. He was a beloved member of our Forward family and a personal friend to us all.

We will greatly miss Don’s friendly smile, wonderful laugh and strong leadership. Yet we also rejoice knowing he now celebrates an eternal life in heaven with his Savior Jesus Christ. 

A visitation for Don will be held Thursday, December 13, from 4-8 p.m. at Hafemeister Funeral Home in Watertown.

Visitation will also be Friday, December 14, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Helenville from 9 a.m. until the time of his funeral service at noon.

View Don’s obituary and funeral information here.

As a self-employed businessman, Don supported the Jefferson County Meat Animal Sale. In 2001, he participated in purchasing the hog of future employee Sarah Loppnow Mueller.
In 2009, Don helped guide us through the formation of Forward Mutual Insurance Company.
In 2012, Don received his Farm Mutual Director Certification (FMDC) from the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC)
In 2012, Don helped welcome the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to Forward Mutual. 
As secretary/treasurer for Forward’s Board of Directors, Don was a leader in our day-to-day operations, our annual policyholders meetings, and in our future growth. We will miss him greatly. 

By the Minutes: Mutual Managers and Staff

By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT

In the first 100 years for Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company and Watertown Mutual Insurance Company, the bylaws of both mutuals required the secretary to be the manager of the mutual.Eventually, each changed its bylaws to allow the directors to hire someone other than a director or secretary to run the mutual. Watertown Mutual was the first to make this change, when in 1987 it hired Gary Trebby to serve as its first non-director manager.

[Read more…] about By the Minutes: Mutual Managers and Staff

Getting to Know Our Office Staff

Sharon, Office Assistant for Forward MutualFor the past eight years Forward Mutual has been blessed to have Sharon Wolff welcoming customers to our office. As office assistant, Sharon answers the phone, receives mail, prepares deposits and so much more, all in keeping a smooth and efficient office.

“Forward Mutual offers the customer a friendly, knowledgeable environment with a small town closeness,” says Sharon. “I like working with a small company that feels like family. It’s such a friendly atmosphere.”

Sharon has lived in Watertown all her life. She and her husband Roy have two children and four grandchildren. In their free time they enjoy riding their Harley Davidson motorcycles and touring the countryside. They also do a lot of volunteer work for their motorcycle chapter, raising funds for breast cancer research. Sharon enjoys gardening and visiting their families in San Francisco, CA and St Paul, MN.

We at Forward Mutual love having Sharon at the front helm, and appreciate the friendly service she offers our customers!

Celebrating Christmas with Howard’s Favorite Cookie

Howard's favorite Christmas cookie, Forward Mutual Insurance Company

It’s the season we all love; one of tradition, giving and togetherness—especially when it comes to Christmas cookies! This year Howard Wiedenhoeft baked six varieties and of them his favorite is Mountain Cookies, by Taste of Home.

“I’ve been making these cookies over 20 years and everyone keeps asking for them,” says Howard, who enjoys more time in the kitchen since his retirement in 2014 as Forward’s president and CEO. He now serves as Forward’s claim manager.

Here’s Howard’s version of Mountain Cookies. They’re full of Wisconsin’s dairy goodness, so enjoy! And please share with us your favorite cookies! [Read more…] about Celebrating Christmas with Howard’s Favorite Cookie

Getting to Know Our Staff

Sarah Mueller, Forward Mutual Insurance CompanyDetermining how much coverage a homeowner should receive or whether to even accept the risk to insure them can be difficult, but with Sarah Mueller at the underwriting helm at Forward Mutual you can be confident it’s being done right.

“I help the agents determine if Forward Mutual is the best fit for the risk,” says Sarah, who serves as Forward Mutual’s customer service manager. “I assist them with writing new business and making changes on existing business. I’m in charge of all inspections. I verify that the risks are without hazards and meet our underwriting rules and guidelines.

“If agents are unsure what do with a risk or how to cover something, I’m always willing to listen and help. I want to help them find the best solution for a homeowner or farmowner.”

When insureds call Forward Mutual and are unclear about their policies, Sarah is there for them as well.

Sarah and her husband Lance live in rural Watertown with their sassy cat Gus. When not working their day jobs, they both work at Donny’s Girl Supper Club. So when asked about free time, Sarah responds with a laugh.

“I enjoy the Brewers in summer and the Packer in winter,” says Sarah. “I also enjoy traveling and am planning a trip to Disney World to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.”

As an insurance underwriter, Sarah knows the value of a well-kept home. She and Lance recently remodeled their laundry/mudroom and are now planning to tackle the outside landscaping.

We at Forward Mutual have enjoyed the 13 years Sarah has been with the company and we appreciate the expertise she offers our customers and agents!