Fifty-one years of working in the agricultural equipment field is a huge accomplishment, and for Gary Ostdiek, this month will mark the end of those 51 years as he heads into retirement.
Ostdiek’s career began at the Nuckolls County Implement in Superior on Jan. 13,1975.
As the years progressed, so did the changing of implements, names and the addition of towns within the implement’s territory.
These implements were:
• The Twin Valley Implement, which opened in 1988 and included the towns of Superior, Hebron, and Belleville, KS;
• South Central Equipment in Fairfield opened Aug. 1, 1996;
• Oregon Trail Equipment opened in 2003 and included Fairfield, Superior, Beatrice, Marysville, KS, and Washington, KS; and
• Landmark Implement opened in 2016 and includes the towns of Fairfield, Holdrege, Minden, Smith Center KS, Phillipsburg, KS, Lexington, Gothenburg, Arapahoe, Elwood, Kearney, Shelton, Superior, Hastings, Red Cloud, Hebron, Beatrice, Marysville, KS, and Washington, KS.
During his career, Ostdiek has seen many changes within the farming communities.
When he first started his job, almost every farmer had livestock, row crops, and hay ground; they were diversified as that was the era.
The farms were smaller in acres, which equaled more customers needing equipment and parts. This era was a “way of life.”
As time evolved, Ostdiek saw the newer, younger generation farmers becoming more focused on specializing in one farming aspect, such row crops or livestock herds.
Farming has become more of a “business atmosphere,” creating larger acre farms.
Technology has also changed the farming world.
When Ostdiek first started in the parts department, everything was handwritten. The inventory cards for each part were in a filing system, and the part type, numbers, quantity on hand, and other various information about that item were listed on those cards.
After the part was found and verified as the correct purchase-to-customer, the “big price book” was referenced, the sales ticket was written up, and the inventory card updated.
Sometimes parts were universal, so it could be a simple or a complicated process to find parts needed. Over the last several years, computer technology has replaced manual tickets and researching in the “big parts book.”
Typing information into the computer streamlined the process, but finding the replacement part was not always easy—and yes, the” big parts book” is still available if needed.
Ostdiek encourages customers needing help “to provide model and serial numbers and type of equipment to the parts department when trying to locate a part can help streamline the research process.”
The favorite part of his job was learning about all his customer’s farming operation needs and building relationships with them through the years.
There were times the customers would specifically request Ostdiek to help them with researching a part, as he knew their farm equipment. Ostdiek and his customers could recognize each other over a phone call, not even needing an introduction.
His plans after retirement include attending his grandchildren’s activities; continuing with his own cow herd operation, along with assisting with others with their cow herds; helping with a lawn and tree service business; and, of course, the “things to complete when I retire list.”
“I have been truly blessed to have worked with good people and the relationships that have been built. I will miss the customers and everyone,” Ostdiek said.
Ostdiek’s, last day at Landmark John Deere implement is Jan. 28, celebrating 51 years of knowledge, friendships, and blessings.
Community members are welcome to stop by Landmark in Fairfield throughout the day for donuts and cookies, and to wish Ostdiek good luck on his retirement.
There will be an evening celebration for Ostdiek from 5-7 p.m., at the Fairfield Opera House, Jan. 28.
He grew up in the Nelson\\ Lawrence area and graduated from Lawrence High School. Ostdiek and his wife, Bernita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
