Pictured: Lloyd Zwart (left) accepts his Spirit of Community Pride Award from Brad Bruxvoort at First State Bank Southwest. 

By Jill Fennema –

Last week Tuesday evening, First State Bank Southwest hosted their annual Chamber of Commerce mixer. Each year they give out a “Spirit of Community Pride” award. This year’s recipient was Lloyd Zwart, owner of the LR Zwart Construction Company. 

Lloyd and several of his family members were on hand for the event. First State Bank Southwest Vice President Brad Bruxvoort gave the award and talked briefly about why Lloyd is so deserving of this award.  Lloyd has been involved in construction in Edgerton for the last 60 years. He has built and remodeled many houses in Edgerton.

Lloyd was instrumental in First State Bank Southwest building a branch office here in Edgerton – he owned the  land the bank was built on!  He also built the Edgerton Food Center in downtown Edgerton.  More recently, he has been building houses and twin homes in the Northwest First Addition, the new housing development on the northwest edge of town. He has built six homes there and is getting ready to start another house this summer. 

Lloyd continues to work construction even though he has surpassed the traditional retirement age. He loves his work and sees no reason to stop as long as he is able to continue to work and is still enjoying that work. 

Lloyd was a member of the Edgerton Public School Board for six years. He is also currently a board member for the Edgerton Development Corporation (EDC). Many years ago he served on the board of directors at the State Bank of Edgerton. 

He and his late wife, Carol, have three children. They were on hand with spouses and some children and grandchildren to support Lloyd as he received the award. Son Ron lives here in Edgerton with his wife Brenda and has worked construction with Lloyd for 22 years.  His grandson, Max Zwart has also worked with him in the summers.  The Zwarts’ other children are Curt and his wife Linda of Sioux Falls, S.D., and daughter Tammi and her husband Steve Vander Beek of Brandon. S.D.