One might think that catching up with Bob Holmoe would be easy. He’s got a big, cushy chair behind a nice desk in a well-lit corner of River’s Edge Co-Operative’s back office.
But it’s rare that you’ll find him there.
Holmoe has been on the move with the company since he was just 24-years-old, taking the previously known Farmers Union Co-Op from a downtown tire shop and service station with a fertilizer plant on the edge of town to the ever-growing one-stop-shop called River’s Edge that it is today. The main office was built in 1994, he said, and they’ve been adding on ever since.
He’s proud of the legacy he’ll leave. But after 42 years, Holmoe is looking forward to retirement.

September 30th was Holmoe’s last official day on the job as General Manager. New in the role, however, is a familiar face, Casey Kringen of Garretson. Kringen has been part of the River’s Edge team for the past 12 years. Holmoe plans to remain in the office for the next several months to ensure a smooth transition.
“It’s just time,” Holmoe told the Moody County Enterprise. “My wife, LeeAnn, who worked for the Department of Public Safety, retired a year and a half ago. We’ve known each other since first grade, we were Homecoming King and Queen in Colman when we were kids. We now have four grandkids — so we’re going to be doing some traveling and that kind of stuff,” he added, with that big smile those who know him well are familiar with.
He was pretty much still a kid when he started as the Agronomy Manager at River’s Edge. That was back in 1980. He didn’t go to school to further his education, he said. He simply learned as he went, adding that he is still learning today.
“Lot of changes, lot of changes, ag especially. There are fewer farmers, larger farms, the way things are done nowadays is just so different,” he said.
But he’ll miss it, and the people he’s met along the way, said Holmoe. That’s been the most fun part of the job. “We’ve really grown the business, it’s been good.”
His hope for the Co-Op’s future — that younger people learn about the co-op system and how it works.
“Dividends, patronage, equity, serving on the board and what all that might entail. Somebody needs to step up and do this. We’ve got a really good board but it’s getting to be time that some of them are going to want change too, some have been on the board for 18-20 years. The younger generation is going to have to step up soon. That’s probably the biggest thing. Support your community,” he said.
For those interested to learn more about what it means to be a part of a co-op or a position on the local board, Holmoe asks that you call (605) 997-3788.