Honoring Dave and Jan Breker: Retiring After 21 Years at Lidgerwood Lumber JD

Honoring Dave and Jan Breker: Retiring After 21 Years at Lidgerwood Lumber JD — After 21 years of dedication to the community and the building industry, Dave and Jan Breker are retiring and stepping away from the business they’ve proudly operated since 2004. Lidgerwood Lumber JD, a mainstay in the Lidgerwood area, will soon transition to new ownership—but not before the community takes a moment to celebrate and thank the Brekers for their many years of service.

Dave and Jan purchased the lumberyard from Farmers Union in 2004 and officially opened Lidgerwood Lumber JD on March 1 of that year. Their journey, however, is just the latest chapter in the long history of the lumberyard property.

The site was originally purchased in 1934 by William Heley and operated as Heley’s Lumber Yard until declaring bankruptcy in 1964. In 1966, the title passed to Crane-Johnson Company, Inc., which ran the yard until its closure around 1985. In 1986, Farmers Union Oil Company of Lidgerwood and Wyndmere purchased the location and reopened it as Lidgerwood Lumber. When Farmers Union put the property up for sale in 2003, Dave and Jan stepped in—preserving a local business and continuing a legacy of service.

Now, in August 2025, the torch will be passed once again. Tim and Brenda Durheim of Smith Lumber in Valley City, ND, will take the reins and open Wiley Farm & Home, continuing to provide lumber and hardware services for the region and are excited for this opportunity, “We’re grateful for the warm welcome we’ve already received and look forward to becoming part of the Lidgerwood community. We’re excited to continue the great service Dave and Jan have provided and can’t wait to get to know the people who make this town so special.”

To honor Dave and Jan’s retirement and 21 years of community commitment, a Friendship Day Celebration will be held on Wednesday, July 30 from 4–6 PM at Lidgerwood Lumber JD. Enjoy chips, salsa, and a drink—and most importantly, take a moment to visit, reminisce, and thank the Brekers for all they’ve done. Their last official day will be Thursday, July 31, but their legacy will carry on as Wiley Farm & Home begins operations later this summer.

Mayor Kevin Oster shared his appreciation: “Dave and Jan have been an important part of the fabric of Lidgerwood. Their dedication to running Lidgerwood Lumber JD for over two decades has made a lasting impact on our town and its growth. We thank them for their years of service and warmly welcome Tim and Brenda Durheim as they prepare to open Wiley Farm & Home. We look forward to the future with excitement and gratitude.”