Member Spotlight

Kessel’s Conoco: Honoring a Legacy, Fueling the Future

On the busy corner of Burlington Avenue and 4th Street stands one of Fairfield’s true landmarks: Kessel’s Conoco. This family-run business has been a cornerstone of our community since 1946, when George Kessel and his father, Clarence, first purchased the station after George returned home from serving in World War II. Their story is not just about gas and auto repair—it's about heritage, hard work, and the strong bonds of family and community.

A Fairfield Heritage Business

The site of Kessel’s Conoco has been part of Fairfield’s landscape since the 1920s, making it one of the town’s longstanding heritage businesses. But it was George and Clarence’s decision to invest in Fairfield that set the station’s enduring legacy into motion.

In those early days, life was simpler: fewer cars on the roads, people walking more, and gas stations offering true full-service experiences. At Kessel’s Conoco, attendants didn't just pump gas—they checked your oil, aired your tires, and washed all your windows. A sense of care and service was embedded into every transaction, creating lasting relationships with customers.

Growing With the Community

Over the decades, Kessel’s adapted alongside Fairfield’s growth. In the 1950s, Conoco razed the original building and constructed a new station facing Burlington Avenue, adding a 4th Street entrance. Later, in the 1960s, they added a third bay as a dedicated car wash area. For just $2, you could get your car washed inside and out—by hand! Saturdays were bustling, with the team washing up to 20 cars a day.

At the height of Fairfield’s automotive boom, there were 24 gas stations in town. Even then, Kessel’s stood out by offering multiple grades of gasoline, including Conolane, Regular, Superior, and Premium. In the mid-60s, Kessel’s became the first station in Iowa to install underground fiberglass tanks—demonstrating their forward-thinking approach to safety and service.

A True Family Affair

Kessel’s Conoco is not just a business; it’s a family tradition. George and his wife Wanda raised nine children, and almost all of them had a hand in running the station. Sons Patrick, Michael, Steve, Robert, and Bill all worked alongside their father, while daughters Karen and Jane pitched in as needed. Even extended family, like Uncle Donnie Samuelson, joined the team over the years.

Life lessons were learned through hard work at the station. Tasks included not just repairs and customer service, but also less glamorous duties like door-to-door collections for unpaid gas tabs—a reality of doing business on trust before the era of credit cards.

George’s careful bookkeeping, his refusal to use coin dispensers, and his daily balancing of pump readings with cash receipts set a standard of accountability and financial responsibility that left a lasting impression on his children.

Passing the Torch

In 1990, after working with his father for many years, Steve Kessel purchased the business and continued the family’s legacy. George stayed on to work with Steve until his passing in 1994, leaving behind a proud tradition of integrity, service, and community care.

Today, Kessel’s Conoco continues to thrive under Steve’s leadership, with invaluable help from longtime employee Kent Worley, who has been with the station for over 27 years. Kessel’s remains a trusted place for brakes, batteries, oil changes, tires, dash repairs, routine maintenance, and more.

Though times have changed, and regulations have added new challenges, Steve and his team still find the most rewarding part of the job is connecting with people—helping them meet their auto needs with honesty and quality workmanship.

A Legacy Worth Celebrating

This year, Kessel’s Conoco was honored with the Legacy Award at the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet. The award recognizes businesses that have chosen to invest in Fairfield and create a lasting impact over decades of service.

Mike Kessel perhaps put it best when he reflected, “I got to really know my grandparents and parents and Conoco. Lots of kids do not. I got to see values and work ethic in action. It was a good life.”

For Fairfield, it’s been a good life having Kessel’s Conoco as part of our story. Congratulations to the Kessel family for your incredible contributions—and here’s to many more years of trusted service!