Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Loss of her oldest son, partner isn’t holding Woitalla back



Life has been different for Irene Woitalla of Waverly in
the past five years.

Most people in Waverly know Woitalla for insurance, since
she is an 16-year veteran of the business, since she offers life and health
insurance out of her Waverly office.

Others know her as the mother of Joe Woitalla, who worked
as a partner with Irene for more than 10 years.

Joe died suddenly at the age of 35 about five years ago
in May. The heart attack that killed him was caused by an enzyme missing
in his body, Irene said.

Every year, school children remember Joe Woitalla by celebrating
“Joe Woitalla Day” at Humphrey Elementary.

Joe was a member of the Waverly Fire Department and a 1978
graduate of the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted school district.

When Joe died, it turned Irene’s life upside down, she
said.

Irene’s insurance business is doing very well now, as she
works out of her Waverly home, but it took awhile to recover from the loss
of her oldest son, and partner, she said.

“I thought I could keep it going,” she said.

Although she has been successful in keeping the long-term
portion thriving, she was not licensed in certain areas, she said.

Joe and Irene offered full service insurance together,
with Joe handling the property casualty and business end, and Irene doing
life and health insurance, since they were both licensed in those respective
capacities. This company was known as the Shore Agency.

Irene sold the Shore Agency name and property casualty
clients to David Cade.

Irene is an independent agent, offering insurance for life
and health, long-term care, mortgage protection, term, whole life plans,
annuities, and health.

Something unique about Irene’s insurance is that she offers
belongs to Life Underwriters, which means she actually works to retain benefits
for her customers within the policies they own, she said.

She has several file cabinets full of loyal clients. She
emphasized the importance of her customers, she said.

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