April 2005

The 1995 graduate moved to Manning in February to become the third generation to work at Detlefsen Electric. Matt’s return to Manning mirrors a decision made by his father 30 years ago. After working three years as a construction engineer in California, John came back to Manning.

John recalled, "One of the thoughts we couldn’t stand was the thought of our children growing up not knowing their grandparents or having any influence by them."

Matt stated, "I like working with my dad and I like the town of Manning. I guess you could say I came back for the same reasons Dad did, because I enjoy being with my family."

Since leaving Manning, Matt attended college for a time, but realized it wasn’t what he wanted. Having worked many summers for his father and construction work for Pete Croghan, Matt said he knew he loved being outside and working with his hands. With that realization, he went to school for heating and cooling, and for the past seven years has worked for Lozier’s Heating and Cooling in Des Moines, IA.

John and Matt have found themselves making a lot of phone calls the past year, father asking son advice on heating/air conditioning things, and son seeking father’s advice on electrical matters.

John stated with a smile, "He knows a lot, and that’s part of what is going to make this work so good, because he is my heating and air conditioning man. That’s what he brings to the business that I really appreciate."

Matt said, "We don’t have what some people assume is the typical father-son strained relationship when you try to work together. Both of us are eager to learn from the other, because he knows infinitely more than I do when it comes to the electrical side of things."

Max listened and smiles as comments were exchanged about the family’s good working relationships.

"I probably learned that from my dad," said John, "because he and I worked well together. The first time I worked for him I was eight or nine years old when the First National Bank remodeled for the very first time. I was just a ‘gofer’ and cleaned things up. I worked for him most of my summers from the time I was 12 years old and then I worked on weekends when I was in college."

The history of Detlefsen Electric dates back to October 1948 when Max bought a business run by Orlo Shelldorf who sold Stokal furnaces, all kinds of appliances and repaired radios.

"He did a little bit of everything," Max recalled. "I had training in radio and TV and electrical. It started from there."

A few years later Max bought out Lester Wyatt’s plumbing and heating business. Max recalled some of the people who worked for him through the years - Albert Grandganet, Mike Schiltz, Ed Erps, Bob Wegner and Alvie Laurinet.

The present business building was constructed in 1980 behind a sagging old Detlefsen store which stood on Main Street. The old store was torn down the following summer. The men were asked if they kept a photo of the building. The answer came back, no.

"I thought about taking one before they tore it down, but I decided that we didn’t want any memories of it," said John with a laugh.

John, a 1968 graduate, came back to Manning in 1975. He took over the business in 1981 and Max worked with his son for about 10 years.

Two long-time employees are Darwin Haskins and Roger Hinz. Roger joined Detlefsen Electric in 1987 when Manning Heating and Sheet Metal went out of business. Recent rotator cuff surgery has limited his activity. Darwin, who started work in 1967, is semi-retired and still works as needed.

Matt and John are now ready to record another chapter in the family business. Since starting Feb. 7, both men state they are having a ball together.

John added, "A few months ago I had some eye surgery that put me out of commission for a long time. There was a lot going on and, at times, I would call Matt and ask if he could just come home and help me – which he did. It finally got to the point we would call each other and I would ask, ‘How soon can you come home?’ and he would ask, ‘Are you hiring?’ At last, everything just seemed to fit together."

With a smile, Max quietly added, "I didn’t ever expect it to happen, but here he is and I’m glad."

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