It’s the end of a 98-year era for one Flandreau business.
Bob Locke is retiring and closing his Locke Agency where he sold real estate since 1956. As the business’ broker, he will be done this month.
At 86, Locke still stops at the office each day to go through mail and sort through years of paperwork that has accumulated in file cabinets and desk drawers.
“I did insurance, and I did income tax and the real estate. When I was 80, I sold out my insurance business, and I quit my tax business,” he said. Darren Hamilton runs Buck Agency, a crop insurance company, out of the building.
Locke was a second-generation owner of the agency started by his father, Ike, in the 1920s. After the younger Locke earned a business degree at the University of South Dakota he returned to Flandreau to join his dad’s business in 1956.
“My dad was in business, but he didn’t particularly say you should come back or not,” he said. “I decided to come back.”
He purchased the business in 1962 from his father, who continued to come to the office until he was in his 90s.

Dan Sutton, who also sells real estate, said Locke represents one of those generational businesses that has made Flandreau unique, and it is unfortunate to see the business close.
Over the years, Locke has been in many homes in Flandreau selling them, sometimes more than once. “There’s probably one home I sold four times,” he said of the house on Pipestone Avenue.
Locke also developed 40 acres in the south part of Flandreau on Circle Drive and Southview Heights. “I sold all of those lots. I built six houses there,” he said.
After retirement, he will continue as president of the Flandreau Housing Board. He also plans to continue golfing.
He and his wife, Minnie, who have three grown daughters, live a few blocks from the office.
“I’m lucky to be able to stay here and see my old customers come in and do business with these folks and get a chance to talk to them.  I enjoy that very much,” Locke said.