I was born into a sawmill family and after one year of college, went to work at the local sawmill, met my wife, Gerry, and got married. Gerry worked as a secretary for Farm Bureau here in Bonners Ferry. One day I stopped by the office and the agent at that time, Jerry Kittell, mentioned that they were looking for an agent in Priest River, and had I ever thought about being a Farm Bureau Insurance agent? I said no at first, but then discussed it with my wife and we decided to take a risk. We moved to Priest River, bought an office and a small house, and worked there for two years.

 

Then the opportunity came up to move to the Sandpoint office. We spent two years in Sandpoint and then the opportunity to move back to Bonners Ferry happened. We’ve been here ever since.

 

It’s been a wonderful career and I’ve made a lot of truly good friends - not only within the company, but clients also. Most of my staff has been with me for over 20 years. We’ve become family and I’ll really miss my daily interactions with all of them.

 

My career with Farm Bureau has allowed me to enjoy having a modest ranch with various crops and to raise Paint and Quarter Horses for over 30 years. We showed several of our bred and raised horses on a world-level and retired from the breeding and showing just recently.

 

Retirement will certainly be busy with hunting, fishing, more trail riding in the mountains, and working the cattle herd we have now.

​

NOTES FROM WALT'S COWORKERS

Walt Dinning has been a mentor of mine since I started with Farm Bureau. He has always been willing to share advise and ideas.

 

I never realized how influential he was until I started working with his clients. At first, Walt and I would work together helping his clients with their life insurance. Then, in 2022, I started working with Walt to get to know his clients so that when he retired there was an agent in the office who the community knew. Knowing who Walt is as a person, I shouldn’t have been as shocked as I was to learn how much his clients trusted him.

 

I met with many of his clients over the last year. Every time I met with a client, they shared how much "Wally" meant to them over the years, and while he would advise on protection they needed, they never felt like they were being sold anything. They always felt like Wally was helping them make decisions that were best for them.

 

Wally - you have lived the example of being honest and above reproach. Your shoes at Farm Bureau are way too big to fill. But the example you have left us will challenge all agents to continue to do what’s best for our clients.

 

Enjoy your next chapter my friend; it is well deserved! 

-Coleman Frank, Agent, Bonners Ferry

​

I have had the good fortune of working with Walt for 24 years. He has truly been a pleasure to work with.

 

We will always be friends. He will be missed at the office.

 

Happy retirement!

-Kimberly Jelinek, CSR, Bonners Ferry

 

Walt is a role model for Idaho Farm Bureau Insurance agents and employees. The care he has shown his customers while making a significant impact to the company are great examples for all of us to follow.

 

His 44-year career with Idaho Farm Bureau can serve as a reminder of the legacy our agents can leave, and how essential they are to our success.

 

It has been a privilege, both personally and professionally, to work with Walt.

 

I wish him all the best.

-Chuck McDaniel, Vice President of Sales and Marketing

​

I have been an employee of Walt's for the past 27 years. I think the fact that he has retained the same employees for so many years tells you a lot about his character. Walt has been an exceptional boss. He has been a great insurance agent in our community.

 

I truly believe when people think of the Bonners Ferry Farm Bureau office, they think of it as "Walt's Office".

 

We will miss his friendship and his tremendous wealth of insurance knowledge.

 

I am, however, excited for him. Enjoy the next chapter of your life Walt - "Retirement". Congratulations!

-Susan Neu, CSR/PA, Bonners Ferry

​

I have had the honor and pleasure to know Walt Dining since I joined the Farm Bureau family in 2001. He has been a mentor and person I have great respect for.

 

Walt is a man with high moral standards, a tremendous work ethic, a sound leader, and he truly bleeds Farm Bureau Red. For many years Walt and I have made the trek to Pocatello to attend Statewide/Aspire and the 8+ hour drive was truly a joy as we traded personal and professional stories. I will miss those trips.

 

Walt has been a great sounding board for me as he has a great perspective on life and on Farm Bureau Insurance.

 

I’ve witnessed Walt’s amazing client relationships and he’s truly a credit to our profession. The Bonners Ferry community clearly has great respect for Walt Dining and rightfully so.

 

I wish Walt and Gerry a wonderful and well-deserved retirement.

 

Idaho Farm Bureau Insurance Company is a better company because of Walt Dining and while he’ll be missed, his influence will definitely live on.

​

Thank you my friend and I wish you well.

-Kendon Perry, Agent, Sandpoint

​

When I was a claims adjuster, Walt made me feel at home in his office. He took me to lunch often and showed me his beautiful Boundary County.

 

One day when I was passed out on the floor in one of his spare offices during a high claim volume storm season, Walt pressed me to be an agent. I pushed back. He saw something in me that I did not see.

 

Walt is one of those people I put high on a pedestal and there really isn’t an act that will budge him from that position. He is a man of ethics and values and I value him so much!

 

Walt, thank you for being you. Pat yourself on your back. Job well done!

 

Now, don’t kill too many of my furry friends in your free time.

 

Forever indebted to you for pushing me into a career that I appreciate.

-Bea Speakman, Agent, Ponderay

​

EMPLOYEE NEWS