State Farm in Toledo welcomes new agent | Information, Sports activities, Jobs

Toledo State Farm Insurance Office employees posed for a picture outside their office on the corner of High Street and Highway 63. Pictured are Dahiana Puentes-Favela, Dalia Fuentes-Nunez, Susan Bock, Gary Bock, Darcy Smith, and Kalee Gomez.

State Farm Insurance recently announced that a new insurance agent will take over the reins of their Toledo office.

The company named Gary Bock as the next agent to look after the Tama Toledo community after agent Carmen Erhardt left in late 2019.

Hailing from the West Union, Bock followed in his father’s footsteps and started out in the insurance business after college. After several years in the insurance industry, Bock changed his job and became a pastor.

For the past 20 years, Bock and his family lived in the Urbandale area while he worked in a church there. After years at the Ministry, Bock is now returning to State Farm insurance.

He said he was keen to rejoin a small-town community and get back to a business that he is deeply familiar with and that has opportunities to help the public.

Bock said he was immediately drawn to State Farm’s customer-centric approach and found the company a good fit.

Bock is entered into the business by his 24-year-old wife Susan. The couple have four daughters, ages 16-23, and recently bought a piece of land near Tama-Toledo that they plan to build a house on in the near future.

In his free time, Bock enjoys boating, fishing, driving his Harley Davidson and spending time with his family including the two dogs.

Bock takes over after over a year of interim at State Farm without agents to run their Toledo office. The youngest agents at the State Farm in Toledo included Adam Anderson and Carmen Erhardt.

Although a newcomer to the area, Bock said he was encouraged by his staff’s years of experience serving customers in the Tama-Toledo area. Darcy Smith has been with State Farm, Toledo for 12 years and Dalia Fuentes-Nunez for five years.

As 2021 approaches halftime, the State Farm Toledo office has just completed rebuilding efforts after the building on High Street was damaged in the Derecho in August 2020.

Bock said one of his goals in the months and years to come is to further establish his agency as an industry leader in the region and find ways to give back and connect with the community.

The company is planning an open house celebration at the Tama-Toledo Aquatic Center to provide a fun way for residents to meet the new owners.

The open house event will take place on Sunday, August 8th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It’s free and open to the public, and includes free food, swimming, and giveaways.

State Farm Insurance is located at 101 S County Rd. In Toledo and can be reached by phone at 641-484-3163.