By Deb Kroon
Review Staff Writer
Forty years is a milestone to be proud of and Larry and Lori Voss, owners of Voss Lumber are proud. “There has been some tough years for us, well for everyone,” said Larry. “In the 80s, when interest rates were so high, it was a struggle.”
On September 11, 1978, Larry and Lori first unlocked the doors of Voss Lumber. Two weeks later, they were married. “If it weren’t for our families, for our parents, we would not be in business today,” Larry said. Clarence and Florence Voss and Norbert and Margaret Mormann stood behind their children and supported them every step of the way.
Larry had gone to school to become an electrician. He spent two years working with his brother and one year trucking before settling into the lumber business. Lori had gone to school to become a florist and was working part time at McCarthy’s Floral before she joined her fiancé/husband in a journey that is still moving forward today.
Russell Nelson, long time owner of the lumberyard, had passed away in March of 1978, and through the grapevine Clarence learned of the sale of the business. Clarence was already in the lumber business, working for what is today Country Lumber. He joined Larry and Lori and the three of them worked together until the Voss children claimed most of Lori’s time. For thirty-one years they remained in the buildings that they obtained with the sale. In 2006, they built the new warehouse and in 2009 their present sales space and offices were added to the warehouse.
Lots of long hours and longer days went into running the lumberyard. Lori says it was mostly Larry, but he was quick to add that although he’d spent more hours at the shop, Lori kept the household intact and saw to the livelihood of their three children, Brent, Christine and Hilary. To him that was so much more important than working at the lumberyard.
“We have seen a lot of changes in the lumber business in forty years,” Larry said. “We have embraced modern technology, using computer drawings instead of hand drawn plans, and accounting is much easier with the computers.” On Larry’s desk is a large TV screen that is hooked to his computer. “You can see your project come alive,” Lori explained. “Larry can sit at his computer and make changes as he and the customer talk.” He can add furniture, outdoor background, cars in the garage or trucks in the shop, many of the finer details begin to fill in. The customer can view their project/home as if they were standing right inside. Larry went on,”It makes my job easier and a more gratifying experience for us and the customer. I tell people to make building a new home fun, as you will probably only do this once. So embrace the experience and enjoy yourselves we are all here to help you make decisions.”
25 years ago Larry and Lori purchased the Luverne Building Center along with Sam Berghorst of Luverne. Sam retired in December of 2016, and now the new partners are Mike and Nick Mead. Between the two places they stay busy. In 2013, Larry was honored by the Tri-State Lumberman’s Association with the ‘Honored Lumberman in 2013’ award. ”It was a total surprise and truly humbling,” Larry stated quietly.
“We have so much to be thankful for,” they said. “The loyalty people have shown us over the years is really something to be grateful for. “We have the best staff you could find”. Bill Carlberg has been with us for 26 years, plus several years of experience in carpentry and retail lumberman elsewhere. His brother John has been with us around twelve years and prior to, had several years of carpenter and lumberyard management. Tannar Heronimus joined us 2-1/2 years and is showing a very promising future in the business. With the combined talent and knowledge of these guys, we are able to give our customers the very best service and quality material. Without the support of our customers, staff and definitely the love and support of family, forty years would have never been possible. We can’t say “Thank You” enough!”
