95-year-old man has been selling cars for nearly 70 years

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KVRR) – Most 95-year-olds are enjoying retirement, but not one man in Minnesota.

At his age, Don Getz is still doing what he does best: selling cars.

Getz has been selling cars for 36 years at Nereson Automotive in Detroit Lakes, but that is only half of his almost 70 years in the car business.

“I must have started when I was 10, I don’t know,” Getz said. “I’ve been here at Nereson since ‘88. That’s longer than I thought I should be here.”

Getz’s career took many turns over the years.

He owned his own dealership in Barnesville for 14 years. Even as he got older, he never wanted to quit working.

“I can’t sit at home and watch TV every day. I can’t do that,” he said.

Nereson’s general manager, Bob Richards, said that having Getz around is a blast.

“We’re very blessed to have him here. We love seeing him come to work,” Richards said. “He’s here every day, and even on Saturdays. It’s his life. And I think him working still today is why he is 95 years old.”

Over the years, Getz has seen many changes in how the business operates as well as the changes in the cars themselves.

“It’s just fun getting used to it. And a lot of technology in these new units now, unbelievable,” he said. " And a lot of people don’t understand at all. And I don’t understand at all. I have a couple of young guys who help me with some of these deals.”

Getz said he has stayed in the business for the people and the connections he makes.

“I enjoy people. And like I say, I’ve got a good following of people from Barnesville, Wolverton, Comstock and all over. And I just like it. It’s kinda fun,” he said.

He said he doesn’t have plans to stop anytime soon.

“I’ll keep going as long as I can. And like I say, I’ve been here 36 years, and if I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t have been here that long,” Getz said.” And the people I work with, the managers and everything, we have a good time, we have fun.”

While Getz said he makes his own schedule, most days he can still be found on the lot looking to make a deal.