About
Cornell Abstract Company provides a full line of title services including lien searches, abstract updates for all of Dickinson County, Iowa. Our combined staff has over 55 consecutive years in the abstracting world. Located in Spirit Lake, Iowa, we have been compiling abstracts of title since 1918. We have the most complete and comprehensive records in Dickinson County.
We also have a division of our company called Cornell Escrow and Closing, LLC. Cornell Escrow and Closing, LLC, was born out of the requests of our current clients asking us to provide full-service closing and escrow services and performs closings for purchases, refinances and witness closings.
Please feel free to contact any of our competent friendly staff for any and all your abstracting or closing needs.
From Left: Christofer Luinstra, Dallas Brown, Heather Needs and Jamie Leckband.
Our Team
Dallas Brown
Dallas Brown got his start in the title industry straight out of high school in May of 1981 at Worth County Abstract Company in Northwood, Iowa. He worked there full-time for a year and a half before taking the opportunity to further his education, but always coming back to work at the abstract office during breaks from school. Dallas came back to the industry on a full-time basis when he accepted a position with Thiessen Abstract Company at Sac City, Iowa in October, 1988. He remained at Thiessen Abstract Company until accepting a position as Vice President of Jasper County Abstract Company in Newton, Iowa in February, 1993. He made his final move in October, 1994, when he accepted a position with Cornell Abstract Company and recently celebrated his 25th anniversary with the company. Dallas has had the honor of serving the Iowa Land Title Association on various committees, serving as a Regional Vice President and is currently serving again as Northwest Regional Vice President.
Christofer Luinstra
Christofer Luinstra became a member of the Cornell Abstracting team in September of 2020. Chris’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Management with a Minor in Marketing from Iowa State University. Aside from his degree he brings with him an array of experiences – from a National Sales Representative for Anderson Trucking Service to a Supervisory Position at GrapeTree Medical Staffing. Since joining Cornell Abstract, Chris has jumped in, learning the ins and outs of Title Work, Recordkeeping and the Financials of the company.
Heather Needs
Heather joined Cornell Abstract Company in September of 2013. Being new to the abstracting world she has learned many aspects of her position. She continues to learn and improve her knowledge by asking plenty of questions. Her duties include typing, billing assistance, record keeping, preparing Title Guaranty, loan closing and most importantly, customer service. Heather is always happy to help in any capacity of the abstracting business. She is good at setting priorities, multi-tasking and is personable, which is why she is a great asset at customer service and loan closings. Always expect a smile and courteous service whenever she is around.
Judy Weipert
Judy is in her second life at Cornell. After retiring in 2013, she graciously came back to assist us on a part time basis. During 2020/2021 Judy took a break due to the Pandemic. Thankfully after much asking, she accepted having work brought to her. Judy is now back in the office and we are blessed to have her.
Jamie Leckband
Jamie Leckband joined Cornell Abstract in September of 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Refinancing and Purchasing Boom. On top of all of that, Jamie recently graduated from the Paralegal/Pre-Law Program with an Associate in Applied Science from Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville. Jamie grew up in Carroll, Iowa and graduated from Carroll Public Schools in 2010, but has called Lake Park home for the past four years. You can catch Jamie teaching Yoga at The Studio Yoga and Barre or spending time with her son, Nolan. Jamie is a quick learner and willing to take on any task. Jamie juggles many duties around Cornell from assisting Robin with Iowa Title Guaranty, researching Abstracts with Dallas, and taking on typing abstracts with Heather. You can count on Jamie to be courteous, helpful, and knowledgeable when you call or walk in.