The Wisconsin River Agency is located in Wausau, Wisconsin, and serves the greater Wausau area. Please contact any of the individuals listed below or the Wisconsin River Agency office if you live in the area and are interested in learning more about our life insurance or annuity products. The Wisconsin River Agency is also always available to help connect you to your local member group (branch/lodge) if you are interested in getting involved in any social or community service projects.
Kent Stadler, FICF, was named Agency Manager of the Wisconsin River Agency in August of 2005. Kent brings many years of life insurance experience to BetterLife, having started his career as an insurance agent in 1992.
He is a member of the National Association of Fraternal Insurance Counselors (NAFIC), and General Agency and Managers Association (GAMA) and a graduate of LIMRA’s Agency Management Training Course.
“I’m honored to be a part of a company with such a great history. At BetterLife, there is a balance between insurance and fraternalism. Fraternalism is what separates us from other companies,“ shares Kent.
Kent and his wife have resided in Wausau, Wisconsin, since 1992 and have one son. In his spare time, Kent enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time at his cabin up north.
Jane Szmanda Zeller joined BetterLife as an insurance agent for the Wisconsin River Agency in April 2010. Prior to joining BetterLife, Jane owned her own interior design business and devoted much of her time to volunteer efforts. She worked as a high school art teacher and as a national advocate for domestic violence and policy reform.
Jane has always believed in the power of helping others. She shares, "My desire to start a career in life insurance stemmed from my father who was an agent most of his life. If you ask him today, he would proudly tell you that he would do it all over again given the chance. I’m excited for the opportunity to find a new way to help people and follow in my father’s footsteps."
Jane resides in Antigo, Wisconsin, and has two adult children. In her spare time, she enjoys interior design and gardening.
Mary Krueger joined BetterLife as an insurance agent in September 2016. She is passionate about helping people and was excited to join a company with a proud history of giving back to communities and helping others during times of need.
Mary grew up and currently resides in the Eau Claire area. She enjoys educating people and is involved in many local community projects.
Mary has two children, one stepson, and nine grandchildren. Outside of work, she enjoys walking, playing cards, and visiting with friends, family, and members of the community.
Alexandria Widdersheim joined BetterLife as an insurance agent in May 2019. Alex comes to BetterLife with 14 years of management experience in the Owatonna area. She is passionate about helping others and is active in many community projects, including helping the homeless.
Alex is currently pursuing her AAS in accounting with her CPA license at Riverland Community College.
Alex was born in Rochester and moved 14 times around Southern Minnesota while growing up. She is married to her husband, Michael, and has a daughter, Emma. Outside of work, Alex enjoys anything involving arts and crafts as well as remodeling houses. Her personal motto is, “Be the best you, you can be."
Lisa Koerner joined BetterLife’s Wisconsin River Agency as an insurance agent because she’s excited to be part of an organization that gives back to its members and community. She has been in the insurance industry for over twenty years and considers herself a “Life Consultant." After losing her father when she was just four years old, she quickly learned the importance of life insurance. Because of this and many other personal experiences, she believes in protecting families through life insurance and annuities.
Lisa’s inspiration is her grandmother. She remembers her grandma hugging her so tightly that it felt like she was trying to keep a piece of her. Their visits together always reminded Lisa that the important thing in life is not how much time you spend with the people you love, but simply making time for those who mean the most to you.
Lisa currently resides in De Pere, Wisconsin. She has been with her husband for thirty-five years and together they have one son. Lisa spends her free time making jewelry, playing with her cat, and enjoying the company of her family and friends.
Jason LaPorte, FIC was already familiar with BetterLife before he joined the Wisconsin River Agency as an insurance agent. His passion for life insurance stems from the belief that it can change peoples’ lives positively during an otherwise negative time. His firsthand tragedy in losing his wife is something that drives him to help and protect individuals and their families.
Jason’s main inspirations are his mother, mother-in-law, and grandmothers. As he’s gotten older, he’s realized more and more what they faced in their lives, in times much tougher than today.
Jason grew up and currently resides in Central Wisconsin with his teenage daughter and pet dog/monster, Cleo. In his free time, he enjoys fixing things (cars, boats, you name it!), hunting, fishing, and doing almost anything outdoors. In his opinion, he could never go on too many great fishing trips.
Philip Welter, FIC, known by his friends as “Sam," is an insurance agent at the BetterLife Wisconsin River Agency. Sam likes helping people accomplish their financial needs, which is why he has been in the insurance industry for over 40 years! He especially likes working at BetterLife because he feels that we’re a good company with truly kind-hearted people. In his opinion, his role here is best described as an Insurance Counselor, because he helps people find products that fit their individual wants and needs.
Sam grew up in Minneapolis, MN with eleven siblings. He says his mother’s deep faith and strength in raising twelve children, along with her cheerful disposition and “can-do” attitude, have been a consistent inspiration in his life.
In his free time, Sam enjoys golfing, reading, hunting, walking, and being outdoors. He would love to be able to golf at Pebble Beach Golf Course in California someday. He and his wife have raised three children together and currently reside in Carver, MN.
Matthew Jacque joined BetterLife’s Wisconsin River Agency as an insurance agent because he wants to be able to make a difference in the lives of others. He is incredibly passionate about providing individuals and their families with protection through life insurance and annuities because he feels he’s helping provide a level of safety and security to people and their loved ones.
Matthew has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Human Services Emphasis from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He also holds a Technical Diploma in Human Resources from Mid-State Technical College.
Matthew grew up in Janesville, WI but currently resides in Plover, WI. In his free time, he enjoys reading and going on hikes with his fiancé. He hopes to one day fulfill his lifelong dream of traveling to the UK and Ireland.