LaDonna Junghans, Junction City, wrapped up a 31-year career as a State Farm Insurance Agent on Friday. "I feel really good looking back and my heart is full. "
Junghans referred to her brother who was a State Farm agent, as she remembered her start in the business. "It seems like every time I saw him I had more questions for him. " He eventually steered her to State Farm's human resources department.
Junghans noted her career has been a journey. "Amazing, challenging, it's been good for my family, it's been challenging for my family, it was the perfect job because I like to help people." She tried to give those she was helping choices, "so they could make informed decisions."
Junghans remembers several major events where insurance assistance was needed including several tornadoes. "That was devastating. I found out that the pictures of the homes in my office were really vital to show up in that yard, and there wasn't a house but I had a picture to show claims what was there before and this is what we needed to come back to."
The flood of 1993, a big hail storm in 1995 and the tornado of 2008 were other major events cited by LaDonna. She noted that when someone loses their home to a tornado or fire she felt like that was a report card time for her to be there to assist people. People were essentially grateful for the help, something that proved to be rewarding for LaDonna.
She does't need to use it just yet but on Friday as she prepared to retire Junghans received a gift from a client. "He always comes in with a huge smile and a joke and he had a beautiful bow on my cane to start using it. "
As for her future, LaDonna said trips with her husband, time spent with the grandchildren, golf, pickleball and volunteering in the community were among her plans.
During her interview with JC Post she noted that for the right people being an insurance agent is very rewarding and it was for her. "I just want to thank everybody in our community for supporting me and giving me that confidence to carry on and to take care of them."