The Covid-19 virus ushered in countless changes in the country and around the world. One change the pandemic brought is that it caused two local treasures, radio hosts Bonnie Lucas and Van Harden, to finally take their well-earned retirement.
Between family health issues and other situations in their personal lives, they knew it was time to finally turn over the morning talk-show they’d hosted Des Moines WHO-AM radio station for decades. This loss will be felt by the entire community, and they will be especially missed by the Midwest Construction team.
For 25 years, Bonnie and Van have shared about Midwest Construction's exceptional services and helped us build trust within the community. We also become friends during that time, and I will personally miss them.
I’ll miss the interviews from the local home shows, live broadcasts during our anniversary month, and waving at them while they broadcast live from the I-Heart/Crystal Studio at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
While no one can fill their shoes, the time has come to let Van and Bonnie Retire! It’s time for both of them to enjoy more time with their families and doing all the things they love.
Stepping into their slot on WHO-AM will be Max Schaeffer and Amy Sweet. They are long-time partners as radio hosts and will now be hosting the Max & Amy Morning Show on 1040 WHO.
Max’s impact on our community is seen in his three decades of work and his contribution to Iowa’s cultural fabric and his ability to raise awareness and funds for a variety of local charities and causes. Max was inducted into the Iowa Rock n' Roll Hall of fame and is a popular stage talent and theatre director. He has been honored with numerous awards, including his designation as a Des Moines Community Playhouse “Legend.” Maxwell also happens to be a hockey fanatic and is well known as the arena voice of The Iowa Wild. He has also coached youth hockey for many years.
Amy Sweet has been a successful morning radio personality for over 20 years and is thrilled to be joining the iconic WHO Radio morning show and to once again work alongside her long-time on-air partner. Amy's love of her family, husband Scott, and daughters Peyton and Kenzie Charlotte keep her calendar full with competitive cheer competitions and family time. Amy and her family attend Lutheran Church of Hope and love spending time at the lake with their Golden Doodles, Tilly and Darby.
We’re looking forward to getting to know Max and Amy and to many years of working together.
My father said it, our family says it, Van and Bonnie said for 25 years, and now Max and Amy will continue to share our company slogan: Quality Products & Quality Installation!
In 1995 Midwest Construction of Grimes & Mason City, Iowa teamed up with Van Hardin and Bonnie Lucas from 1040 - WHO-AM Talk Radio to spread the Midwest Construction Message – An Exterior Home Improvement Company that offers Quality Products & Quality Installation!
Paul Despenas, VP of Marketing at Midwest Construction said he wanted to separate our company from the bad reputation most home improvement companies left with their customers. We wanted Van and Bonnie to shout out about our products and services and let homeowners there is a company out there they can trust and believe in to do the job right.
Van & Bonnie with Paul Despenas V.P. Marketing Midwest Construction
Van Harden and Bonnie Lucas have been doing the WHO Radio morning show for a long time…..25 years for Bonnie…..34 years for Van. Before Bonnie it was “Van & Connie” and before that it was “Van & Patti”
Van started his career in 1971 at KDLS Radio in Perry, Iowa. He was there four years before moving to KWEN FM in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After one year in Tulsa, he went to KRNT in Des Moines where he was on the air for 10 years, then to WHO Radio to do the morning show. In a very short time that program rose to #1 in the market, not to mention the huge reach of the WHO Radio signal beyond the Des Moines metro area.
Bonnie also worked at KRNT radio before going to WHO Radio. She has also worked for the Des Moines Register, The State of Iowa, and owned her own fitness center.
Besides being on the air each weekday morning, Van and Bonnie frequently do remote broadcasts at the site of advertisers. One of their earliest was at Midwest Construction, and they have become the official spokespeople for them on TV as well as Radio. The folks at Midwest Construction have become like family to Van and Bonnie, and vice-versa.
Van says, Bonnie and I are extremely, picky about the products and services we endorse, since a good reputation takes years to build and less than a minute to ruin. Midwest Construction has been a no-brainer. It’s one of the finest family run businesses we’ve ever seen. And when we recommend it to listeners, it’s as though we are recommending to the family. We are completely sold on their products, their people and their workmanship
Weekdays: 4:59am to 9am! It's all about our community! Every morning Iowa depends on Van Harden and Bonnie Lucas to deliver useful info and talk with the most interesting people. Van and Bonnie podcast page...Van grew up in Adel and still lives in his boyhood home. Bonnie lives on an acreage in rural Monroe.
