From a tiny garage-sized location with three employees to a regional home-service industry leader, Stueder Contractors Inc. has defined the “American Dream” in Great Bend for four decades. In recognition of that journey, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce named the company its 2025 Business of the Year.

The business joined Citizen of the Year Nancy Sundahl, Legacy Award recipient Mark Calcara and NextGen Leader of the Year Cody Harris as honorees during the chamber’s 104th annual awards banquet Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Great Bend Events Center.

“It’s very humbling,” Terry Stueder said of the honor, looking at a display of photographs tracing the company’s 42-year history. Looking at the list of past recipients, he said it is hard to imagine they belong in such rarified company.

The Business of the Year Award recognizes local companies that demonstrate excellence and leadership in the marketplace. The award is open to chamber members who excel in five key areas: customer service, business growth, resilience, community engagement and innovation. According to the chamber, the honor highlights businesses that lead with integrity and serve as an inspiration to the community.

To qualify, businesses must show measurable growth and a commitment to improving products or services while contributing to the betterment of Great Bend through local initiatives. Stueder Contractors has shown particular resilience, expanding its footprint multiple times—including a major renovation of its 10th Street storefront five years ago - to meet community needs.

Founded in August 1984 by rural Claflin native Terry Stueder, who was 22 at the time, and his wife Great Bend native MelEesa Stueder, then a senior at Kansas State University, the company began with Terry, one technician and a part-time secretary. He took over an Ellinwood business whose owner was nearing retirement, opened in Great Bend and grew it from there.

Today, the business has 22 employees and a fleet of 15 service trucks, providing a full suite of services including heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and water treatment.

The business began in a space barely larger than a garage with a small attached office. Roughly five years later, the Stueders outgrew the rental property and purchased the building adjacent to their current site. While they expected the new location to last a lifetime because it tripled their square footage, they outgrew the space in two years and purchased their current facility, which they have also expanded and remodeled.

The chamber played a pivotal role in the company’s early success, dating back to when Irv Gotsche first invited Terry to join the organization while the business was just starting.

“That was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Terry said. Because the business lacked an advertising budget, the networking opportunities the chamber offered helped propel the fledgling operation to what it is today.

The Stueder family’s connection to the chamber runs deep; Terry served as an ambassador and as board chair in 1999.

Beyond the chamber, MelEesa said the community has been supportive. “They’ve been very good to us. We just want to give back where we can. We’ve been blessed.” The company contributes to many organizations and fundraising efforts.

Additionally, Terry said they saw a need for a home and garden show and sponsored the Spring Expo for more than 20 years. Even though they do not golf, they are contributing to the Great Bend Recreation Commission’s effort to revamp the former Club at StoneRidge golf course because they see the need for such a facility.

“It hasn’t always been like this,” MelEesa said, adding that many see their 10th Street storefront and fleet of trucks and assume it has always been successful. “We started from nothing.”

When they were first married, MelEesa had a job with the Pizza Hut corporate office in Wichita to support the business. She commuted, or the couple would meet in Hutchinson just to see one another.

Now, Terry is still involved every day, just in a less hands-on capacity. While he used to run service calls and handle all the estimating, their current crew has allowed him to take a break from those specific tasks. “They are what make us tick,” he said.

Several of their staff members have worked for the company for over 25 years. They include Steve Wondra, water treatment sales; Alan Crowther, plumbing manager; Gary Wondra, HVAC sales; and Marla Poppelreiter, office manager.

“We hope to continue this into a second generation,” MelEesa said. Their daughter, Tarynn Kirmer (who lives with her husband Benn in Claflin) and their son-in-law, Rusty Newton (husband of daughter Evann), work for the family business. 

Their other daughter, Brenna Marshall and husband Logan, live in Great Bend, and their son, Trent lives in Emporia.

The Business of the Year Award celebrates exceptional companies that exemplify excellence in the marketplace and set a standard for business success in Great Bend. This prestigious award is open to members of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in customer service, growth, reliance, community engagement and innovation.

This award honors businesses that inspire others by leading with innovation, integrity, and commitment to the community.