Cassens Mill Celebrates Sixtieth Anniversary

SIGOURNEY – Cassens’ Mill, a feed store in Sigourney, celebrated their 60th anniversary on June 14. The store was opened by Chuck and Irene Cassens on June 15th, 1964, and has been run by them and their family ever since.

“It’s been a very good time in that we’ve met so many people and everything,” said Irene Cassens. “We’ve had good years and bad years, just like the farmers have in that. They could feel like they know what we’re talking about when we say a good year or a bad year. If the farmers had a bad crop, then our business was down. We have enjoyed being with so many different ones, different families and everything.

“My husband, after he got back from the service, he worked for Fagen Elevator over in Keota,” continued Irene. “Then, in 1957, he had moved back to Sigourney. We tried just farming only and found that wasn’t going to work. We had land on the North Skunk River, so we lost crops several different years. He went back to work for Fagens in 1959 and we had the opportunity to buy this one in 1964. And well, Chuck said, ‘I’ll be right in competition with you.’ Fagen said, ‘Well, that’s fine. There’s plenty of business to go around.’So we took the plunge and bought this place.”

After sixty years of owning the feed store, the Cassenses are beginning to consider retiring. Irene plans to give the store up sometime within six months to a year.

“I’m so happy that I still enjoy being with the people and everything,” said Irene. “The turnout today shows that it’s been a wonderful customer relationship and personal. We have enjoyed people.”