General Info

The Bern Lemmen Insurance Agency was founded in 1963 by Bern Lemmen. At the time Bern was working in a factory in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In addition, he worked part-time as a Real Estate salesman for Byker Realty in Hudsonville, Michigan. Bern quit his factory job, then purchased two small insurance agencies in Allendale and the Bern Lemmen Insurance Agency was formed. In 1972 Bern's son, Dan, became employed by the agency. A year later he bought into the agency as an equal partner. Now partners, father and son continued on as the Lemmen Insurance Agency. In 1989 Bern retired from the Real Estate and Insurance business. Dan purchased his father's half of the insurance agency and incorporated the business. In the Spring of 2004 John and Mary Van Der Puy bought into the insurance agency. Neither John nor Dan wanted the agancy name to be a listing of their last names so they adopted the new name of GRAND VALLEY INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC. Soon after the purchase it became apparent that more room was needed. After a brief search Dan and John discovered a building under construction in Allendale within two miles of the old office building. It was found to be just what they needed and immediately purchased. During the second week of May 2004 the Grand Valley Insurance Agency moved into it's new offices at 11410 - 48th Avenue in Allendale. Today, the Grand Valley Insurance Agency, LLC continues to do business with the same high standards of quality and service established by its founder. Two factors that helped maintain those standards for so many years are the agency's outstanding personnel, and the superior insurance companies they represent.