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morning every day of the week and work together. We kind of basically raised our family here. Also, hopefully, it was an opportunity to serve God through what we did. And we’ve enjoyed all the friends we've met every place, all over the Midwest.” In addition to the sale barn, Ken and Lynn farm and raise cattle north of Olivet with their son, Evan and his wife, Ivory. He also credited his employees for being a big part of why the sale barn has thrived. “Just top-notch people, all the way down to the little kid that sweeps the arena for $10 every week. Some of the guys worked with us for over 25 years.” The advent and growth of online bidding helped Menno Livestock. Lynn said, “Cattle USA has been huge. I mean, just being able to broadcast our sale to people who

wouldn't normally be here to bid.” The newest member of the Wintersteen family, Cora Noelle, was born Dec. 16, just in time to be able to attend Grandpa and Grandma’s last sale as owners of Menno Livestock Auction. Pictured are Ken and Lynn’s daughter, Ellie; son and daughter-in-law, Evan and Ivory, with newborn Cora; and Lynn and Ken.

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Ken agreed: “The internet allows the market to be more than 10 miles around Menno, which is how the thing basically started out. The customer base, like everything else of course, changes; but I'm sure it will continue to be geared more toward the smaller operators.”

TIME FOR THE NEXT GENERATION TO KICK UP THEIR HEELS

Ken was recently diagnosed with cancer, which was a big factor in selling the sale barn. “We’ve taught Matt a lot of the ropes, but people call and wonder if I’ll be here. And I say, sure, unless my health totally gives out. Right now, it doesn't look like it will because there's so many doctors who need money. They’re good at finding stuff wrong with a person.” Cancer or not, “There's definitely a need to move on and let the younger generation take over and kick up their heels,” he said. Matt has worked at Menno Livestock Auction for nine years. When Ken decided to sell, Matt and Marie did some soul-searching. “We talked until four in the morning, and decided it would be a good business for us,” Matt said.

Local ownership is important in his estimation. “Ken's local, we're local. A big strength for a little barn is that nobody travels to run it. You're in the community and people know you. And there's the old adage where a lot of times friends don't do business with you, but clients will become friends. I think it's a good friendly atmosphere here.” Marie added, “I think Ken and Lynn have done a really good job mentoring producers and investing in small producers and beginning producers.” They also plan to continue being a market for selling more animal species than any other barn in the state.

NOT A 9 TO 5 LIFE

Matt is reluctant to speculate on what changes might be in the future. “You know, a young couple can get moon eyes and think they can conquer the world. We'll see what it looks like as time goes on. Ken's been at this 26-27 years; and we just want to honor that legacy and continue. We’re not looking to rock the boat or anything like that. Ken and Lynn have been friends of mine my whole life. I grew up with them. I want to continue something that they've made important in the community.” The Mehlhaf’s plan to emulate the husband-and-wife team approach the Wintersteen’s have taken, with both spouses fully engaged in the business and playing to their individual strengths. Marie is new