Local Family Profiles

MEET THE BERGSMA FAMILY

FAMILY MEMBERS

Todd and Jenn Bergsma . Daughter, Meghan, 17, and son, Connor, 13 .

OCCUPATIONS:

Jenn is a universal banking officer at Rivers Edge Bank where she’s worked for 17 Years . Todd has been a deputy for the Sioux County Sheriff’s office for 19 years .

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

Todd said, “Jenn and I are both from Orange City. I was working for the Hawarden Police Department when we met. Then she got a job at First State Bank, now Rivers Edge Bank. Everything fell into place for us in Hawarden. We are able to worship in Hawarden, our children are in the West Sioux School District, and Jenn works here in town. Over the past 20 years, this has become our home and clearly where we were meant to be.”

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR CURRENT CAREER FIELDS?

Jenn said, “Todd and I are both in the careers which we went to school for. Todd attended Iowa Lakes Community College for law enforcement and then went through the Police Academy. I went to the University of Sioux Falls and Northwestern College for a degree in business administration.”

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT LIVING IN HAWARDEN?

“The people,” Jenn said. “We cannot say enough about the outpouring of support that was given to Todd and I as we established our family here. As new community members, we were greeted with the warmest welcome. There is always someone there to lend you their trailer because you’re moving or a neighbor who always has an egg or cup of sugar when you are out. We thrive on the generosity of others and will strive to do the same as we continue to live in Hawarden. All of us cherish the friendships we’ve made here.”

WHAT KEEPS YOU ACTIVE IN HAWARDEN?

Jenn said, “Hawarden offers us many opportunities to stay active in the community. We like to attend all events at school. We have enjoyed and continue to watch our children perform in sports and at music concerts. We are lucky to have them in a great school district.”

Todd added, “We enjoy camping, fishing and just being outdoors. With Big Sioux Recreation Area and Oak Grove State Park just outside of Hawarden, we are able to go camping or fishing on a whim.”

Jenn said, “Working at Rivers Edge Bank has given me opportunities to meet so many people in the community. Rivers Edge works hard to make sure their employees are appreciated and they encourage community involvement. I am thankful for opportunities to help plan community activities as a member of the Hawarden Chamber Events Committee. Festival of Trees during Christmas has a special place in my heart – everyone is so creative with designs during the most wonderful time of the year.

“I also serve on the Hawarden City Council. What an opportunity it is to learn what it takes for Hawarden to function as a city. It’s been a rewarding experience,” she said.

Meaghan, Todd, Jenn and Connor Bergsma.

MEET THE CURIEL FAMILY

FAMILY MEMBERS

Miguel Curiel and Maria Andrade de Curiel . Son: Israel Curiel . Daughters: Maria (a/k/a Chayo) and her husband Leonso Camacho; Araseli and her husband Dustin Sohl; Maribel and her husband Isidro Topete; and Andrea . Seven grandchildren .

OCCUPATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT

Miguel and Israel are partners in Curiel Concrete. Previously, Miguel worked for Standard Ready Mix and Gus Construction, where he would travel for long stretches of time. Both Miguel and Maria worked for Iowa Lamb for a number of years after they first moved to Iowa. Israel previously worked for Gus Construction and Dixon Construction. Chayo is a pharmacy technician at Booth Pharmacy. Araseli works as a secretary at West Sioux Elementary School in Hawarden. Maribel works as a medical interpreter at Hawarden Regional Healthcare clinic. Andrea is a student at South Dakota State University. Miguel and Maria also own Paradise Bar in Hawarden which is open for special occasions, although it’s been closed since the Covid crisis started.

The family belongs to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hawarden. Israel is a member of the board of directors of Hawarden Regional Healthcare. He also plays in weekend soccer leagues in Sioux Center and Sioux City.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

Miguel and Maria were both born in Mexico. They lived in California before moving to Hawarden about 30 years ago, with a brief time spent in Sioux City. Chayo was born in Mexico, Israel was born in California, and the three youngest daughters were born in Sioux City. All of Miguel and Maria’s children graduated from West Sioux High School and all of their grandchildren attend West Sioux.

Miguel and Maria spend about four months of each winter in Mexico. “We’re really happy to be in Mexico during the winter. It’s good to be away from work and stress for a few months and be able to enjoy our family down there. We really recommend it,” Miguel said.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE IN HAWARDEN?

Miguel said, “We wanted to raise our family in a small, quiet town without a lot of violence. We’ve had a better life here than we had in California.” Maria added, “Chayo was the first Hispanic student at West Sioux. We were always happy with West Sioux Schools.” Although they did experience racism and discrimination when they first moved to Hawarden, Miguel said, “We want to continue to see Hispanic and Caucasian cultures in Hawarden come together to help grow the community.”

Israel Curiel is partners with his father in Curiel Concrete. Maria and Miguel Curiel with their grandchildren. Front row: Zander, Dulce and Ezekiel. Back row: Luna, Zayra, Leondro and Yelitza.

HOW DID YOU COME TO START CURIEL CONCRETE?

Israel said, “When Dad was working at Standard Ready Mix in Maurice, we re-did our driveway at home – and then we started to get asked to do concrete jobs for our friends and other people in town. We did side jobs for several years. Dad studied how other contractors ran their business and eventually he said ‘We could probably do this’ and so we started the business in 2016.”

He said it’s going well. About 50 percent of their work is agricultural buildings, 40 percent is residential projects, and 10 percent is commercial. Israel said last year probably was their busiest one on record. Miguel said, “We’re really happy the business has grown a lot in the past two years. We’re thankful for all of those people who have supported us and believed in us.” He said he’s on the job site most often and Israel is in the office, but “Maria is the main boss.”

Maria and Miguel Curiel spend the winter in Mexico. They have been part of the Hawarden community for about 30 years.

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MEET THE COOK FAMILY

FAMILY MEMBERS

Tom and Roxanne Cook . Sons Gregory, 13, and Joshua, 11 .

OCCUPATIONS:

Tom is the Sioux County area director for Siouxland Youth for Christ and Roxanne is an assistant for the same organization plus is a stay-at-home mom .

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

Tom is originally from the small town of Piedmont, Mo., and Roxanne is a native of Jamestown, N.D. After Tom retired from the U.S. Air Force, he was hired by Siouxland Youth for Christ to restart the program in Sioux County, especially the Teen Center in Hawarden. The family has lived in Hawarden six years.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR CURRENT CAREER FIELD?

“I chose to work with students in youth ministry because of our passion for seeing young people grow up to be positive, active members of their community and this is also something God has called upon our lives,” Tom said. “We want to encourage youth to have a relationship with God and to know that they matter to us and to God. We want to be a positive influence, especially in middle and high school students’ lives, as there is concrete evidence that one person can make a lifetime difference in a student’s life.”

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT LIVING IN HAWARDEN?

Tom said, “I was raised in a small town and so was familiar with the benefits of living in one. That was probably the main reason we chose Hawarden.” Roxanne added, “It’s a safe community where our kids can get out and play. There are great schools with small class sizes and we appreciate that there are wonderful medical facilities and staff available locally. Another great aspect about Hawarden is the community enthusiastically supports Youth for Christ and the Teen Center we manage.”

WHAT KEEPS YOU ACTIVE IN HAWARDEN?

“Our family enjoys being active outdoors. We like to do geocaching and hiking at Oak Grove and also enjoy the walking path in town and around the South Pit,” Roxanne said. According to Tom, “We also like to spend time as a family visiting places like Calliope Village, Oak Grove and the Nature Center. Our family stays active at the town parks, playing disc golf and swimming at the public pool.”

Tom is involved in organizations like the American Legion, Hawarden Ministerial Association and the Chamber of Commerce through YFC and is an elder at Friendship Assembly of God. Roxanne volunteers in many places, such as Hawarden Elementary School, the Community Food Bank, Community Dinners and is a part of the Hawarden and Ireton Arts Council. Roxanne and Tom also both volunteer their time with the Hawarden Community Vacation Bible School.

Roxanne said, “Gregory and Joshua are active in band, choir, baseball, track and the school’s Talented and Gifted program. Also, as a family, we are very active in our church, Friendship Assembly of God. We enjoy watching the Falcons compete and we love grabbing a bite to eat at the local eateries, especially Pizza Ranch, Central Cafe and El Paisa and La Carreta.”

Tom, Roxanne, Gregory and Joshua Cook. Photo by Ashley D Photography.

ANY OTHER INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR FAMILY WE SHOULD KNOW?

“We have traveled the world and greatly appreciate the variety of ethnicities in Hawarden and the surrounding areas ... Dutch, Hispanic and German and others!” Tom said.

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