About Us

Since 1883, Modern Woodmen of America has brought people together, supported families and strengthened communities.

About Us
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Modern Woodmen of America, Rock Island, IL

Looking for a meaningful career?

Grow with Modern Woodmen! As a financial representative, you can make a positive impact for your family and your community.

Financial Planning

We can help you meet your current needs, achieve your future dreams and plan for all stages of life.

Planning for Life
Stories of strength from our history
A female nurse taking care of a male patient at Modern Woodmen's tuberculosis camp in 1909.

Persevering Through Uncertain Times

Our Products

Modern Woodmen maintains a portfolio of high-quality financial products that can help you meet a wide range of life needs.

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Financial planning

Browse our helpful tips and articles to understand what’s important to you and your loved ones.

Resource Hub

Visit our Resource Hub to learn more about life insurance and potential solutions to protect you and your loved ones. It’s a great place to find the answers to your questions and some hints from professionals.

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Life insurance at each life stage

Life-changing events

It’s important to reevaluate your insurance coverage every year or at every major, life-changing event. Learn why this matters so much.

My Membership

When you join Modern Woodmen, you become a member of the organization. You trust us with your financial needs. And you have the opportunity to access fraternal member programs and impact your community.

My Membership
Member Website
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Member Website Overview

Make a payment, update your address, and access account information, online forms and fraternal programs from the member website.

​When Tragedy Strikes

Why home office employee Chris Carlson believes in the power of life insurance.

Chris Carlson from Modern Woodmen of America.
Chris Carlson from Modern Woodmen of America.

Chris's story

In the late '90s, Chris Carlson, Orion, Illinois, and her husband, Dennis, were just getting back on their feet.

Their trucking business had taken a hit due to the economy. With four sons at home, they’d struggled to make ends meet. In a stroke of good luck, both Chris and Dennis found new jobs. Things were looking up.

Then, in an instant, they weren’t.

No saying goodbye

Chris, Dennis and three of their kids stopped at a friend’s house over Memorial Day weekend. Chris was inside visiting, while Dennis went outside to shoot hoops with the boys. “One minute he was talking to us. The next minute he was outside, and it was done,” remembers Chris.

Dennis was only 47 when he died of a massive heart attack. Chris was 40 at the time.

“There was no saying goodbye. There was no planning for anything – it happened that fast.”

The eldest of their four sons graduated from high school just three days after his father’s funeral. College costs were just around the corner.

“It was the most difficult time in my life,” says Chris. “I had to figure out how I was going to take care of these kids, and I didn’t know what to do next.”

Peace of mind

Chris turned to Joe Schurr, a Modern Woodmen representative she’d known for years. Joe helped Chris file the claim on Dennis’ life insurance, and he wrote a new certificate for Chris as well. “He handled everything quickly and really calmed my fears,” says Chris.

Without the life insurance proceeds, Chris wouldn’t have been able to pay for Dennis’ funeral with what little savings they had. The proceeds also allowed her to put a down payment on a new house. She saved the rest for emergencies. “It left me with some peace of mind, but I do wish we would’ve had a little more coverage,” admits Chris.

Don’t learn the hard way

Now a grandmother, Chris is firm with her sons when it comes to life insurance.“I’ve stressed how important it is for them to get life insurance – not just on themselves, but on their wives and children as well,” she says.

Chris has worked at Modern Woodmen’s headquarters in Rock Island, Illinois, since 2001. In her current role, she assists in the compensation of Modern Woodmen representatives. She says working for a life insurance provider is fitting, given her personal experience with loss.

“Life insurance should be a priority for everyone,” says Chris. “I don’t want any of my friends or family to learn the hard way.”

There was no saying goodbye. There was no planning for anything – it happened that fast.

CHRIS'S REPRESENTATIVE

Joseph W Schurr - Chris's Modern Woodmen Representative.
Joseph W Schurr
Financial Representative