Pat and Mary Sturtz purchased Pocahontas Pharmacy in November of 1983. It began as Fonda Pharmacy in 1980 and was moved to Pocahontas in 1981 after the newly recruited doctor abruptly left Fonda. Jerry Hughes, one of the three owners at that time, managed the store. Jerry was a pharmacy school classmate of Pat’s and they worked together for two years in Humboldt, Iowa. In 1982 Jerry left Pocahontas for Cresco, Iowa to become a partner with his father-in-law at Hoines Drug Store. Greg Hoyman, the remaining owner from Emmetsburg, sold the pharmacy to the Sturtzes in 1983.

Mary’s Bookshelf was added in 1984 with a broad offering of titles, which has gradually evolved to mainly children’s titles, young adult books, Christian books, and Bibles. Many books are special ordered for customers. Mary’s Bookshelf also determines the gift lines for the pharmacy. Gifts with a Christian theme, promoting home and family and a love of reading are guidelines used for purchasing.

In November 1995, the Pharmacy was moved from 21 3rd Ave. NE to 701 West Elm. A new building was constructed by Viking Rentals, Inc. that increased the square footage of the store to 2500 square feet. Computerization of the Pharmacy took place in 1989. The computer began as a single unit and the Pharmacy now features a network of six terminals. Capabilities include electronic ordering, filing of prescription claims via the internet., and receiving eScripts The computer system has been upgraded continuously and it remains state-of the art. A new prescription will go through many checks by the computer before being filled, including a profile review, drug-drug interaction, drug-known disease interaction, allergy check, and therapeutic duplication check, all being accomplished within a matter of seconds.