D & L Service -
the "Ma and Pa" Store
by Olivia Richards,
Herman Review
Darlene Bertram of D & L Service remembers, not so long ago, when a person came into the store and commented she thought the store resembled a "ma and pa" store, reminiscent of yesteryear. Darlene looked at their business with pride, and took it as a compliment.
Locally owned and operated, Darlene and Les Bertram celebrated their 25th year of business as D & L Service in Herman last April. A lot of people stopped by to wish them well and enjoy a lunch of barbecues.
The Bertrams held their initial grand opening February 17 and 18, 1977. They bought the station, then known as Star Sales and Service from Harold and Louise Christians.
Historically, the round roofed, block building was built as a business, called D X Service, by Martin Schroeder in partnership with his brother, Joe. They sold Studebaker cars in 1940, gas at the pump, and did repair work. The front of the building was the showroom. In 1953 the Studebaker dealership was dropped. They continued the general repairs and gas service.
In 1968 the Christians bought the station from Art Lien and continued the same services. Before the Bertrams purchased the station, it was leased out to different operators.
Over the years, the Bertrams have provided a variety of services at their business. In 1978 they built a car wash building next to the gas station. The car wash is open concurrent with the station.
In 1983 part of the D & L Service building was remodeled to house a laundromat containing 10 regular washers, two large washers, and six dryers.
D & L Service was a convenience store long before the phrase was ever coined. The Bertrams offer grocery items, dairy products, frozen foods and pizzas, snack foods, beverages, dog food, automotive supplies, Watkins products such as spices, vanilla, and cleaning supplies, and much more.
Movie rental is available, with a wide variety to select from. They offer three movies for $3 for three days, anytime. Electronic licenses for hunting and fishing are available. Christmas trees are sold from Thanksgiving through Christmas, often running out before Christmas arrives.
Darlene and Les pride themselves on providing full service at the gas pump. Darlene isn't above checking the oil either, and is willing to add air to a low tire.
Darlene does the bookkeeping, spending nearly as much time at the station as Les does. Roberta Volker is the only employee, working evenings three nights a week.
The station is open from 7 a.m. until about 8:30 p.m., seven days a week.
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