Fixing up farm equipment and welding trailers is not easy work. Like the old idiom says, it's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it.

But for Dustin and Emily Flansburgh, who purchased Flansburgh Welding (formerly R & S Welding) in Wauzeka from Bob and Sharon Meier earlier this year, it's more accurate to say, "It's a dirty job, and somebody wants to do it."

"This town has been good to us, and we've seen the changes. We'd like to see it keep going," said Bob.

"They've made an impact in Wauzeka over the past 40 years," said Emily. "When we took over, we had a lot of local [people] excited we were taking it over, carrying it on, so it will be a part of Wauzeka for a long while... We're appreciative of Bob and Sharon for allowing us to do this and putting their trust in us. We're hoping we can continue this wonderful business for the customers and everybody."

Dustin, who resides in the Bridgeport area with his family and graduated from Wauzeka-Steuben High School, worked for R & S for 11 years before taking over.

"We just decided that, since he is aware of everything, and Bob and Sharon were ready to retire, we decided to purchase it," said Emily.

"I've been thinking about it for a couple of years," said Dustin. "I'm good at fixing stuff, and we were talking about it. I told him I was thinking about getting a shop someday, and he was like, 'Well, I'm going to retire someday.' And I was like, 'Yeah, I'm already here, and I know the business.' So, it just kind of fell into place."

Dustin noted that he and Bob discussed transferring ownership for several years before the Meiers' retirement.

The Meiers' decision closes a chapter in their lives that began about four decades ago, when Bob moved from the Pacific Northwest and married Sharon, a Boscobel native, in 1984. A year later, they started R & S in rural Wisconsin.

"I worked on the Alaska Pipeline when it was being built and worked in a shop there doing this kind of thing," recalled Bob. "It became my dream to want a shop of my own someday."

After sharing his aspirations with his wife, she found a listing for a fully equipped welding shop. The price tag was $20,000.

"It turned out to be the old blacksmith shop from Lowell Geitz," said Bob. "It was built in the 1930s on the other side of town, and it really was a blacksmith's shop."

While the property had a wealth of historical significance, Bob and Sharon had to make adjustments and compromises to run a welding business in the building.

"The only thing it had to make it a welding shop was a cutting torch and a little welder, so we just started from there," said Bob.

"Those early years were pretty tough," said Sharon. "I remember it was the first year, and we got down to the point where we only had a few dollars in our pockets."

The Meiers operated their business out of the Geitz building for approximately 10 years before moving it to the current location on East Front Street.

"We had to invest in the community. We weren't known here; we were strangers coming into the community. Every person we worked with, we had to build a connection with," added Bob.

The Meiers operated R & S Welding with the motto “No job too small.” That meant working on all manner of repair jobs, including autos, boats and trailers, as well as the odds and ends and sentimental pieces people didn't want to let go of.

"I wanted to work on heavy equipment because that's what I learned to work on, and when I came here in the 80s, this area was covered in 40-cow dairy farms. It was right at that time when farming was getting tough... So, we just realized we had to do whatever came our way. We took every job seriously."

"Earrings and picture frames," said Sharon. "Stuff like that, too. Anything that came in."

"Most people would throw them away, but farmers had their old pans they loved for 100 years, and they just want them fixed," said Dustin. "So, you weld the handle back on, and they're happy."

Dustin says Bob's "No job too small" motto is still part of their business, so frying pans and picture frames are still welcome. The Flansburghs have made some changes; their business will now accept card payments, for instance. But, most importantly, Dustin and Emily want to maintain their connection with the community.

"Ask questions, give us a call, e-mail us, send us a message," said Emily. "We're more than willing to answer any questions."

Flansburgh Welding and Repair, LLC (formerly R&S Welding) is located at 408 East Front Street in Wauzeka. To contact them, call 608-875-5152, e-mail Flansburghweldingandrepair25@gmail.com, or check out their Facebook page.