Carol Wurm marks 50 years at bank

by Theresa Andrus

Carol Wurm thought she was retiring five years ago, but on March 1, she will mark 50 years at Security State/First National Bank.

Wurm retired in 2006 as a bank vice president and began another chapter in her career at the Maple Lake bank by continuing to coordinate the Wright Time Club.

The Wright Time Club is for bank customers 55 years of age or older who receive financial perks, travel opportunities and social activities if they meet club requirements.

Wurm is at the bank on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to conduct Wright Time Club business and produce a newsletter every three months, along with hosting social events and trips. A Valentine Bingo event at the VFW drew 65 people and 40 area residents signed up for a casino trip to Jackpot Junction in January. Almost 80 people participated in a Christmas potluck and gift exchange and Turkey Bingo in November draws up to 100 people who vie for a chance to win one of 20 turkeys.

“I love it,” Wurm said of her schedule and duties. “I enjoy planning trips and parties, the two-day-a-week schedule is just right and it’s nice having the same office at the bank because people know where to find me.”

And there are major trip opportunities. In 2009, 20 Wright Time Club members went to Alaska and last year’s big trip was to Colorado for traveling by vintage trains through mountains and canyons. Wurm has guided other past tours to Nashville, the Smokey Mountains, San Francisco, and even Ireland. In September, a group will travel through New England on a mixture of trains and cruises. And in November will come a trip to New York.

Wurm’s travels for the Wright Time Club also include conventions offered by the travel booking company which has taken her across the country and to Quebec, Canada.

The Wright Time Club has a roster of 430 members and Wurm credited former bank president Doyle Van Dyne for getting the club started 10 years ago.

“It’s been fun and I’ve been able to go to a lot of places,” Wurm said. “I can’t believe how fast the last five years have gone.”

And so did the first 45 years after she was hired by the bank as a high school student in 1961. In 1972, she was named as assistant cashier, promoted to cashier in 1972, vice president in 1983, executive vice president in 1991 and vice president of operations in 2000.

She served as the Wright County Banker’s Association secretary-treasurer, vice president and president; and handled duties at the bank that included serving as security officer, compliance officer, Bank Secrecy Act officer, secretary to the Board of Directors, and the bank’s scholarship committee.

Despite her many bank duties and raising her family, Wurm found the time to volunteer in many community activities. She served on the St. Timothy’s Church Finance Board, as St. Timothy’s CCW secretary and treasurer, spent three years on the Maple Lake Planning and Zoning Commission, 15 years as the Maple Lake Chamber of Commerce treasurer, five years on the St. Patrick’s Day Festival Queen’s Committee, was co-chair of the 1990 Maple Lake Centennial All-School Reunion and was named as the secretary of the Maple Lake Housing Development Corporation in 1988. In recognition for her contributions to Maple Lake, Wurm was honored with the Minneapolis Aquatennial Commodore’s Award for volunteer service in 1991 and was selected as the Grand Marshal of the 2007 Maple Lake St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Carol and her husband, Lawrence, raised four children: Greg, Jerry, Julie and Glen; and now enjoy spending time with their grandchildren.

Marking the occasion of her 50th anniversary at the local bank is also bittersweet. The bank staff in 1961 consisted of A.H. Ney, president; future bank presidents Lloyd Brandsrud, Don Weismann, and Russ Baker; and teller Florence Carlson.

“I was hired by Don Weismann,” Wurm said, “and all of them have passed away except for me and Don.”

But as far as she is concerned, there is no place like the bank.