Peggy Hanke, FNB Bank
Congratulations to Peggy Hanke on 66 years of banking excellence!
Peggy began her remarkable career with First National Bank (now FNB Bank) in Goodland on March 23, 1959. Over the years, she held a variety of key roles, including Executive Secretary, Assistant Trust Officer and Assistant to the President, before being promoted to Vice President and Trust Officer in January 1984. She advanced to Senior Vice President and Trust Officer in February 1991.
Her leadership extended beyond daily operations. In February 2002, Peggy was appointed to the Bank Board of Directors. In February 2006, she was elected to the First National Bancshares Inc. Board, where she served until her retirement in September 2020.
Even after officially retiring from day-to-day duties on March 3, 2006, Peggy continued to provide steady guidance as a dedicated member of both the Bank and Bancshares boards. In July 2025, Peggy retired from the Bank Board, marking the culmination of an unparalleled 66 years of continuous involvement and leadership.
Peggy has touched and enriched the lives of coworkers and fellow directors alike through her wisdom, dedication and her own special way of leading. Congratulations, Peggy, on an extraordinary career and legacy at FNB Bank!
Ed Martin, Kaw Valley State Bank & Trust Company
Congratulations to Ed Martin on 50 years of exceptional service in banking!
Ed began his banking career in 1975 when he joined Kaw Valley State Bank & Trust Company as a Loan Officer Trainee. Demonstrating a strong commitment to both the bank and his community, Ed steadily advanced through leadership roles and was elected President on Jan. 24, 1990.
Under Ed’s leadership, the bank expanded significantly. A major milestone was reached on Oct. 26, 1999, when the bank broke ground on a new location at 1015 Kaw Valley Park Circle, opening its doors on April 9, 2001.
On March 31, 2004, Ed purchased a controlling interest in Kaw Valley State Bank & Trust Company, and that same year, he was elected CEO and Chairman of the Board. Further growth followed when Kaw Valley State Bank & Trust Company merged with First National Bank of Clifton/St. Mary’s on Sept. 5, 2008.
After decades of dedicated service, Ed retired from his role as CEO on Jan. 20, 2023, passing the title to his son, Josh Martin. Ed continues to serve as Chairman of the Board for Kaw Valley State Bank & Trust Company, guiding the institution with the same passion and vision that have defined his career. Congratulations, Ed, on 50 outstanding years in banking!
Charlene “Becky” Classen, The Community Bank
Congratulations to Charlene “Becky” Classen for an outstanding 60-year career!
After graduating from high school in Ames, Oklahoma, Becky took a job as a teller at the Alva State Bank in August 1965, while her husband attended Northwestern State University in Alva, Oklahoma.
Upon his graduation in 1969, Becky moved to Forgan, Oklahoma, and began working as a teller in the First State Bank of Forgan. In 1989, the First State Bank of Forgan was acquired by the Bank of Beaver City. During her time there, Becky filled several different roles, working as a teller, in operations, in human resources and as the Board Secretary.
In 1990, Becky joined the People’s National Bank in Liberal, Kansas, as an Administrative Assistant in the loan department. She quickly moved to Administrative Assistant to President Jim Thompson and Executive Vice President Cliff Haltom, and also served as the Board Secretary. She worked for People’s National Bank until Bank IV acquired it in December 1992. She remained with the bank through Bank IV’s acquisition by Boatman’s, then NationsBank and then Bank of America.
On April 6, 1998, Becky became one of the original employees of The Community Bank, a de novo bank established in Liberal, where she continues to work today in operations, as the head of human resources, and as an indispensable source of banking advice due to her wealth of knowledge and experience.
Becky and her husband Alan live in Liberal. Becky is the mother of 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. We congratulate her on this incredible milestone!
