100 YEARS OLD
CENTENNIAL 1855-1955

The post office remained where it had been since 1949 and where it still remains today. 

Next door was the cafe owned by the Daleske’s. 

Around town successful businesses were still being operated in and out of homes. 

Struck’s Service and Welding, opened in April 1971, when they leased the Sinclair station from Darrell Bleeker. They continued to lease for 15 months, when they purchased the building and business from Bleeker. 

After another year the existing building proved too small for the business being done so a 40 ft. square building was added to the complex to handle repair work. 

Duane Steinfeldt had worked in the painting business for Jim Riggins in Eldora for seven years before going into business for himself in Steamboat Rock in 1972 as Duane Steinfeldt Painting and Decorating. 

Duane did business in Steamboat, Ackley, Wellsburg, Iowa Falls, Eldora, and through Hardin county. 

Hollis Havens established his Electric Service the year after the centennial in 1956. He started the business after retiring from 20 years with the U.S. Navy. 

The business opened in what was last the cafe next door to the Post Office. The principle business was radio and television sales and repair, farm and home wiring and appliance repair. 

Later electric heating and air conditioning was added. At that time the radio and television was dropped. 

In May, 1967, Larry Havens, after being discharged from the Navy, joined the business and in 1971 took over the business. Radio and television repair were once again added to the services offered. The electric heat and air conditioning were retained by Hollis Havens. 

In 1976, there were two businesses, Havens Electric operated by Larry Havens, and Havens Electric Heating and Air Conditioning operated by Hollis Havens. 

Dave Folkerts owner of Dave’s Electronics attended Ellsworth College in Iowa Falls following high school. He majored in radio and television electronics. 

After graduation, he attended Iowa State University for one year taking a course for electronics technicians. 

Dave then began a repair business on a part time basis while farming with his father. 

In 1975 he opened a full time shop for the repair of CB radios, radios and televisions. 

Other businesses that had a long history in Steamboat Rock that were still in operation in 1976 included Potgeter’s Elevator and Lumber, Cervetti Construction, Ruppelt Insurance Agency, Lee’s Pump Repair, Ralph Gast Construction, Carl L. Luiken-Advertising Specialties, and General Telephone GTE.