About Us

               Jay Swanson Agency

Our Agency team is made up myself and one licensed Customer Service Representative, Jude Richter and our newest team member, Maurittia Bardwell, who will be licensed soon!

I started with QBE Farmers Union Agency in the summer of 2001.  Before this I owned and operated an Industrial Laundry Service.  Being an insurance agent is a great fit for me, as client service and sales were also a main focus in my laundry business!

I was born and raised in Argyle, MN, and have stayed here because it is a great place to live and raise a family!  My wife, Janelle, and celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary July 14, 2011!  It seems like just yesterday!  We have 5 children, Samantha (married to Drew Olafson), Kelsi (married to Daniel Douglas), Taylor- 20 yrs old and a full time college student, Brady- 16 yrs old and a 10th grader at Stephen/Argyle Central, and our littlest Angel is Regan- 5 yrs old!   We now have a new granddaughter as well, who was born in May and another one on the way!

I am very active in the Argyle Volunteer Fire Department.  I am also a past president of the Argyle Lions, volunteer as basketball coach at both the elementary and senior high school level, am an active member of the Our Savior Lutheran Church in Argyle and was a past President of Argyle Commercial Club.  Our family participates in many of the sports and activities in our small community! 

Jude Richter is a licensed agent that came to us in December of 2009 from Brooklyn Center, MN.  with 36 years of insurance experience.  She has worked at the company level as well as the agency level.    "I enjoy working with people in making sure that all of their insurance needs are met with sound and accurate advice.  Customer service is of utmost importance.  We are dealing with one of the most important aspects that affect our client's daily lives!", says Jude.

Jude has lived most of her life in the Twin Cities area and is married to David Richter who is a retired Air Force Major and a native to Thief River Falls. He is also a Lincoln High School graduate of the class of '79.  She has two grown daughters, son-in-laws and four grandsons who still live in the Twin Cities area.  In addition to being a licensed insurance agent, she is also an ordained minister and pastoral counselor and has her own pastoral counseling center in Thief River Falls called "The Shepherds Inn".  Jude is certified in Emergency Disaster Behavioral Health where she can respond to emergencies in a pastoral capacity.  Military family life is important to Jude and she has a heart to help military families with loved ones who are currently deployed.

Maurittia (pronounced Moreeta) Bardwell comes to us with many talents.  She is a legal secretary, an EMT with Newfolden Ambulance Service, is a violin instructor and a mother of 6.  Maurittia grew up in Bemidji, MN and has attended Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College and is looking forward to getting her insurance license.  Her hobbies are fishing, camping, playing poker, billiards and music.  She is married to Jesse Bardwell who is the former director of EMS for Leach Lake Ambulance Service and is also currently an EMT along with Maurittia with Newfolden Ambulance Service. 

Maurittia says "I love my job because I get to work with the community.   I believe in Farmers Union Insurance Company and I have been a client for over 13 years.  You only trust what you can believe in."