Exhibit 99(a)


                         MID-PLAINS, INC.

                  PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD
   
   THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
       For a Special Meeting of Shareholders on May 17, 1997
    
   
     The undersigned, a shareholder of Mid-Plains, Inc., hereby constitutes
and appoints Messrs. E. A. Johnson and Floyd G. Brynelson, and each of them
(with full power to act without the other), the attorney and proxy of the
undersigned, with full power of substitution, for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned, to attend the Special Meeting of Shareholders of
Mid-Plains, Inc., called to be held at the Middleton High School Auditorium,
7400 North Avenue, Middleton, Wisconsin, on Saturday, May 17, 1997, at 
10:00 a.m., and at any adjournment thereof, and thereat to vote the number of
votes or shares the undersigned would be entitled to vote and with all powers
the undersigned would possess if personally present:
    
1.   Approving the Agreement and Plan of Merger, as provided in the
     accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.

                 For / /   Against / /    Abstain / / 
                             
              /X/ Please mark vote as in this example

       
      THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVING
                THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER.

2.   Upon all matters which may properly come before said meeting, including
matters incident to the conduct of the meeting or any adjournments thereof;

hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys and proxies, or their
substitutes, may lawfully do by virtue hereof.


     This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed
hereby by the undersigned shareholders.  IF THIS PROXY CARD IS SIGNED AND
RETURNED AND NO INDICATION IS MADE ON THIS PROXY AS TO THE MATTER REFERRED TO
IN 1 ON THE REVERSE SIDE HEREOF, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 1, AND
AT THE DISCRETION OF THE AUTHORIZED PROXY ON ANY OTHER MATTER THAT MAY
PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE SPECIAL MEETING.  FAILURE TO SIGN AND RETURN A PROXY,
OR ATTEND THE MEETING AND VOTE BY BALLOT, WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS A VOTE
AGAINST THE MERGERS.

     If you attend the meeting, you may, if you so desire, withdraw your
proxy at the registration desk and vote in person.  Please mark, sign, date
and return this Proxy Card promptly using the enclosed envelope.
 
                                             Please mark an (X) in
                                             the box which follows if
                                             you plan to attend the
                                             special meeting.  / /    

                                                  PROXY

     
Please sign exactly as name or names appear                              
herein; Joint owners should EACH sign.            Signature
When signing as attorney, administrator,
trustee or guardian (natural or appointed
by law), please give your full title
as such.  If a corporation, sign in full 
corporate name by President or other 
authorized officer.                           
                                             
If a partnership, please sign in partnership      Signature if held jointly
name by authorized persons.                       Dated: