Iowa State Bank

for national and international conservation organizations.

TERI KEPT BUSINESS AND FAMILY ON TRACK

“But probably the most gratifying part of our business is that it's allowed us to stay family-focused. Our daughter, Libby, is here in Le Mars and homeschools her kids. She’s the fourth generation with a real estate license and works here on the real estate side. My wife, Teri, is the one who really runs the business. She’s been my partner and right by my side the entire 50 years we’ve been married,” said Bruce.

He said a 50-year marriage is a great accomplishment – especially for Teri. “It's been pretty easy for me. Our kids turned out really well thanks to her. I spent a lot of time on the road away from the family. We've always been fortunate that she's kept us on track. I probably wasn’t a very good dad because I was gone so much. But I’m doing my best to be the best grandpa in the world.” Libby and her husband Levi Cargin have 3 children; and their son, Bob and his wife Sharlene, have 2 children. Bob is an attorney in Le Mars. Late in 2020, Austin Popken bought in as a partner at Brock Auction. Austin is the son of local farmers and an SDSU graduate. But the new partner isn’t a sign that Bruce is retiring. “It means we're growing,” Bruce said. “There's a lot of things in the pipeline that we're working on.” Austin has been instrumental in expanding the company’s online auction presence. In addition, the company recently affirmed their growth mode by purchasing the former Northwest Bank building at 1321 Hawkeye Dr. on the Highway 75 business loop through the city. Whether the auction is online or in-person, he said the company remains committed to helping clients reach their goals. “Obviously, we want to get the most money we can for the property families have sacrificed for decades to build. But when the auction is over, we hope they tell us: ‘Thank you for representing our family with honor and dignity.’ It's all about the sellers. We strive to put their family in the right light for the years and years of self-sacrifice they and their parents and grandparents made. My grandfather told me a long time ago to focus on making people's dreams and goals come true – and don't worry about the commission.”

In auctions he has conducted across the country, Bruce Brock has had the opportunity to meet a number of national politicians and celebrities, including stars such as Hank Williams Jr. and Larry The Cable Guy.