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November 25, 2011 THISWEEK
Local philanthropist, car dealer dies Family, friends say Jeff Belzer had a strong work ethic, devotion to community stewardship by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
He may have stayed out of the spotlight, but Jeffrey Alan Belzer’s impact on Lakeville is eminently measurable. Belzer, 70, owner of the Belzer Chevrolet, Dodge, Kia dealership in Lakeville, died Sunday, Nov. 20. “He was a huge presence in anyone’s life he touched, despite being very private,� said longtime friend Bob Erickson, a school board member and former city administrator in Lakeville. The Belzer family’s philanthropy has extended to many areas in the community, including the Lakeville Area Arts Center, the Lakeville Police Department and active involvement in the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce. Erickson said Belzer was the first to step forward with a donation when the police department sought to purchase a snowmobile. On the arts front, Erickson said Belzer was a major donor for each of the 10 years of the LAAC’s existence. The business community also honored him. “Belzer was a longtime member of the Lakeville Chamber, an active Lakeville community supporter and a successful business owner, serving the Lakeville area for over three decades,� wrote Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Todd Bornhauser in an email to members. “Our prayers go out to Gloria, his brother and sister, children
and grandchildren during this very difficult time.�
Road to car sales Belzer started his professional life as an attorney, according to an obituary the family submitted to HodroffEpstein Memorial Chapels. After attending Washburn High School in Minneapolis in 1959, he headed off to college. In 1968 he graduated with a juris doctorate from the Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa. He returned to the Twin Cities, becoming a senior partner at Belzer & Loewenthal Law Firm on France Avenue in Edina. Belzer represented several car dealers as part of his corporate law practice. The business intrigued him enough that in 1980 he was inspired to purchase the Todd Chevrolet dealership in Lakeville. At first, he thought he would oversee the dealership as he worked at the law firm. But he saw that this arrangement would need to be amended. Belzer sold his law firm and its building near I-494 and Highway 100 and moved to Lakeville to run the dealership. At the time, people had thought he had “gone over the edge,� according to his obituary, “but he felt people should have the fortitude to try a new career.� Belzer’s passion for the business only grew, and he bought the Haugen Dodge dealership in Farmington.
Erickson re m e m b e r s being impressed with a deal Belzer struck to combine those two Jeff Belzer competing brands into one dealership. Chevrolet is a General Motors brand and Dodge is a brand of GM rival Chrysler. “His GM-Chrysler dealership in Lakeville was the first of its kind in the United States,� Erickson said. “I was so impressed and pretty excited for the community to have a shared dealership like that under one roof.� The dealership’s most recent addition was the sale of Kia cars. Erickson said Belzer predicted the Koreanmade vehicles would prove a formidable competitor to Toyota. One contributing trait to the success of his business was his work ethic. He worked six days a week, and if anyone wanted to have lunch while Belzer was at the dealership he was not willing to leave the office. “He brown-bagged his lunch,� Erickson said. Belzer would offer those looking to dine with him to stop by the dealership and join him for these lunches. The hard work paid off over the years. In 1991 the dealership took third out of the top 202 Chevrolet dealers in the country, and two years in a row he accepted the award for the No. 1 truck
Rosemount Briefs Parks and recreation programs Register for the following Rosemount Parks and Recreation programs online at www.ci.rosemount.mn.us/ parks or at 13885 S. Robert Trail.
• Letter from Santa – Forms to receive a Letter from Santa can be found in the fall brochure or at 13885 S. Robert Trail. Completed “Santa Letterâ€? forms and a check for $4 per letter (made payable to the City of Rosemount) must be submitted by Wednesday, Dec. 7.
• Breakfast with Santa, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Rosemount Community Center. Cost: $5. • Mummies, Mysteries and More, grades K-5, 9:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 2, at the Rosemount Community Center. Cost: $24. • Science Detectives,
dealer in the five-state area. Belzer also served on the General Motors President’s Board. When he was not working, Belzer enjoyed playing golf, traveling, hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends. “His children were his jewels,� according to the obituary, “and he was always there to teach the value of hard work and offer support and guidance.� Erickson and Belzer spent time together trading stock tips and books. “He was an avid reader,� Erickson said. “He certainly read just nonstop.� Erickson will miss his friend. “He and I shared many great moments together,� Erickson said. Belzer’s family will stay involved with the dealership, carrying on their patriarch’s legacy. Belzer is survived by his wife, Gloria; brother, Dr. Michael Belzer (Ellyn Wolfenson); sister Judi Belzer (Jerry Waldman) and families; his children, Steven (Kim), Mike, Kim, Jeff Jr. (Jamie) and Anna; and grandchildren, Brady and Blake. “Jeff, Dad, Pops, Papa will be deeply missed by his family and friends,� the family wrote in his obituary.
Merchants Bank added its 18th location and its fourth in Dakota County on Friday when it completed its transaction with Central Bank, taking ownership of Central’s location in Rosemount. “Adding Rosemount makes a great deal of sense for us,� said Richard Mahoney, president and CEO of Merchants Financial Group, the holding company that owns Merchants Bank. “It provides greater coverage in the southern metro, giving our customers greater convenience. It is a great location with long-standing customers, and it is in a community that values community banking.� The Rosemount location, at the corner of County Road 42 and Chippendale Avenue, joins Merchants offices in Apple Valley, Lakeville, Hampton and Hastings. Central had owned the Rosemount bank since April, when the former Rosemount National Bank was closed by the FDIC and then re-opened as Central Bank. Rosemount National had been serving the community since 1982. “We are thrilled for our customers,� said Michelle
Holiday depression
Community meals at Grace Lutheran
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Selig, who remains as branch manager for Merchants. “It is clear that Merchants is committed to delivering services to customers in this area for years to come, and Merchants has shown that it believes in being a part of the communities it serves.� Merchants acquires just under $19 million in deposits, plus the location in Rosemount. The sale price has not been disclosed. Merchants Bank has more than $1.2 billion in assets. Its other locations are in Winona, St. Charles, Goodview, Rochester, Caledonia, La Crescent, Onalaska, Spring Grove, Cannon Falls, Red Wing and Cottage Grove. The “flagship� Merchants Bank in Winona was founded in 1875. All banks are Equal Housing Lenders and FDIC members. The company also owns Merchants Capital Resources, a leasing company based in Edina. The ownership of Merchants Financial Group is made up of its employees and approximately 450 shareholders, mostly individuals and families from southeastern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin.
Religion
Aaron Vehling is at aarThe Depression Support on.vehling@ecm-inc.com and www.facebook.com/ Coalition, consisting of 12 area churches, will host thisweeklive. speaker Lynne Silva-Breen, who will present “Expectations, the Holidays and Depressionâ€? at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Mary, Mother of the Church, grades K-5, 1 to 3:30 p.m. 3333 Cliff Road, BurnsFriday, Dec. 2, at the Rose- ville. Information: Julie mount Community Center. Opheim, (952) 432-6351. Cost: $24. • American Red Cross Babysitting Clinic, ages 11 and up, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Rosemount Community in Apple Valley will serve free community meals on Center. Cost: $65.
Merchants Bank takes ownership of local bank
Mondays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19. Dining hall doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The meals are for senior citizens, single-parent families, families in transition and all others in the surrounding community seeking a healthy meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Although the meals are free, donations are accepted. Grace Lutheran Church is located at the intersection of Pennock Avenue and County Road 42. For more information, call (952) 4327273.
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