Realty firm going strong after 30 years

Mom and daughter see continued strenth in lakeshore

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Tuesday, May 29, 2007

In 1977 Donna Boll and her late husband, Dennis, not only built a new lake home on the southeast side of Otter Tail Lake, but took a leap of faith by building an office for what became Boll Realty. Thirty years later the business is going strong.

“My mother did well in the real estate business because she not only was willing to work hard but also made herself available to clients seven days a week,” said her daughter, Cathy Mueller.

“She also made sure all of us followed through with things that needed to be done.”

Mueller has worked 13 years full-time with her mother as co-owner of Boll Realty and has 20 years experience as a licensed Realtor. These days Mueller is assuming most of the managing duties in light of her mother’s ongoing health issues.

The business prides itself on long-time employees who meet customer needs. Mike Avelsgaard and Tom O’Brien each have 30 years of part-time experience at Boll Realty and Laurie Woessner has been there 17 years. John Carlson is the newcomer, with two years of work under his belt.

Donna’s son, Scott, and his wife, DeeAnn, are part-time licensed real estate agents for Boll Realty.

Donna’s husband, the late Dennis Boll, worked as a wholesale food broker and her mother worked at Otter Tail Grocery in Fergus Falls before entering the real estate business.

Donna started in the real estate business with Loren Bailey in Fergus Falls and later worked with Ron Becker. These days, at Boll Realty, lakeshore transactions make up 80 percent of their business. The agency is also involved with commercial and farm property as well as selling lots at nearby Thumper Pond.

“Lakeshore demands remain strong,” Mueller said. “Here at Boll Realty we’re fortunate to work at a beautiful lake. We’ve always appreciated people’s faith and confidence in us when it comes to real estate.”