Midway Service History

In the Beginning: 1921-1935

Midway Station was started in 1921 and was open for business in the spring of 1922. Albert Nyhus (Rhoda Wold's uncle) and George Cogdell built the Station, and operated the business in partnership for a few years.

Cogdell left and Albert's brother, Tom Nyhus, went into business with him, Tom selling Chandler automobiles.

Gundar Bruaas bought the business from the Nyhus brothers in 1928 and operated the business until 1935 when he sold it to his brother-in-law, C. O. Wold.

C.O. Wold and his son, Roger
Late 1940's

EXPANSIONS: 1935-1975

When Wold moved to Midway from Crooks he brought with him the tank wagon business. To start with he hauled fuel in his bulk truck from Brownelle Oil Company and later Howard Falen Oil Company in Sioux Falls. Eventually, a bulk plant and loading dock were added behind the store. Fire works were sold at Midway for a number of years in the late '40's. After the bulk plant was installed, fire works sales were discontinued.

The original store building at Midway had living quarters in the back. C.O. Wold raised his family there, and also boarded the hired men, and at times a schoolteacher. Roger & Rhoda Wold lived there in their early married years, C.O. having built a new house to the south of the Station. After Roger & Rhoda built their house (just south of C.O.'s house), some of the hired men and at one time C.O.'s sister (Emma Bruaas) lived in the rooms behind the store. In later years Roger used the rooms in the back for storage and office space.

Roger Wold bought Midway Station from his dad in 1948. In 1957, he bought into partnership of Midway Oil Company. In the year 1964 C.O. Wold retired and Roger Wold became owner-operator of Midway Service and Wold Oil Company.

A New Station: 1975-1988

In 1975 Roger's dream of having a new Station came true. The old wooden structure and the two outhouses were replaced with a new steel building with indoor plumbing. Though tire repairs were done, and new belts, tires, and batteries were sold in the old station, the new building has a shop bay, with a hoist. Tire repairs, oil changes, brake jobs are the order of the day in the new shop.

Jimmie Vollan leased Midway in 1978 and Roger continued to operate the bulk business.

The Vollan Era Begins: 1988-2004

In 1988 Jim and Tanya Vollan bought the Midway Corner property and Wold Oil Company, which became Vollan Oil Company. Roger retired - briefly - then came back to drive the delivery truck full time until 2002. In 1989 son Bruce Vollan came to work full time at the Station and continues to present.

In 1994 the parking lot was updated from gravel to concrete, and new gas tanks were buried in the process.

Midway Goes Independent: 2004-Present

In 2004 Midway went unbranded after flying the Phillips Shield since 1933. The Station was updated with a new paint job and new signs, and the business was incorporated.

In 2007 another major change occurred at Midway. New blender pumps and a canopy were installed. The canopy keeps the front area well lit so customers can dispense their own gas any hour of the day or night. The cardtrol pumps dispense regular unleaded gas, 10%, 30%, and 85% ethanol blended gas. A diesel pump is also available.

In 2008 a full time mechanic (Travis Schreurs) was hired. He stays very busy doing oil changes, installing tires and various other auto parts.

The year 2010 saw the addition of a third bulk truck and an additional driver (Randy Jacobsma). We continue to be blessed with many loyal customers.

A Rich History

Over the years the store has changed from having a short line of groceries and snacks, to the more modern type of convenience store with no groceries but with many kinds of candy and snacks. We have changed from the old fashioned gathering place with rocking chairs and even a barber chair for a number of years to a quick stop for gas and a snack. In the early years people gathered at Midway to visit and the store didn't close until folks went home. The men would gather in front of the store in summer where there was a bench to encourage them to linger. A favorite passtime of the local gents was to play cards at Midway, many an hour was spent, and many a story was told around the card table in the store. When the gentlemen brought their wives along they would sit in the cars and visit or maybe come into the living quarters and have coffee with Belva (C.O.'s wife). Another favorite of everyone was the hand dipped ice cream cone you could get at Midway. Yum. Though times have changed, Midway remains unique in that we still provide friendly, full service for our customers.

As in the days of Tom Nyhus, cars are still sold at Midway. Jim and Bruce have been bringing cars back from auction for almost 20 years to sell here. We do our best to fill the needs of our customers.

Employees

Over the years Midway has had many wonderful people here to wait on the customers. Former employees who have worked here over the years include Mark Haagenson, Scott Sittig, Mike Schmitz, Bud Danielson, Rodney Docken, Wally Krumm, and Larry Juhnke. Those who are gone now but fondly remembered were Gib Roland, Ernie Gulickson, Ralph Peterson, Orville and Palmer Brendtro, and Darwin Larson.

Currently Midway employs:
Jim Vollan since 1964
Tanya Vollan since 1978
Bruce Vollan since 1989
Max Keller since 2003
Travis Schreurs since 2008
Alyssa Frantz since 2008
Jessica Doty since 2009
Randy Jacobsma since 2010
Maggan Froseth since 2011
Tara Larson since 2011
Dyson Delange since 2011