Christmas tour of homes set for this Sunday
By Caroline Rosacker
The Clayton Ridge High School Class of 2019 will sponsor its annual Holiday Tour of Homes from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25. Tickets can be purchased at any participating home.
Following are descriptions of each of the homes on the tour.
Fritz's Farmhouse
The Goedken Farmhouse, located at 33195 Garber Road, is a fine example of a fully-restored limestone structure.
The home was built sometime during the 1800s. Gregor and Anna Kann lived in the house in the 1920s. Some of their children were born in this house, including Fred "Fritz" Kann.
In 2008 John Kann, son of "Fritz," purchased the farm from the Leonard Goedken family. John died in 2009, and Brian and Melissa Kann purchased the home and surrounding property. The house, in poor condition, was considered too important for this family to allow it to crumble. Many hours of painstaking, hard work and a decorating flair honoring its historic beginnings, were put into the home to create the charming, warm welcome this home offers its visitors.
Brian and Jackie Lee
Step into this iconic Guttenberg home at 219 Acre St. and experience the sights, sounds and scents of the holidays.
Built in 1969 by Eldon Swisher for Ronald and Christa Walters, this home was originally built on a 14-acre site and utilized Chicago style brick and dolomitic limestone to create the timeless look.
Brian and Jackie purchased the home in 2017. The couple said they were immediately mesmerized by the stunning views of the Mississippi River and the casual elegance of the floorplan.
The couple has continued to improve and update the aging home, tackling one project at a time.
Brian and Jackie's decorating style is steeped in traditional, casual comfort and sprinkled with a tasteful blend of cozy furnishings, contemporary splashes and beloved family heirlooms.
The Reimer Financial Group
The Reimer Financial Group and New York Life Insurance building is located at 316 S. First Street in Guttenberg.
This beautifully restored limestone structure is on the NationalRegister of Historic Places.
The original owners, the Nigg family, purchased the building in the 1920s.
The building originally housed a grocery store and ice cream parlor. In the late 1930s with the end of Prohibition, the Nigg family transformed the ice cream parlor into a tavern.
Utilizing local artisians with experiece in architectural restoration, this corner building has received a complete renovation under the direction of new owner Andrew Reimer.
Rod and Nancy Reimer
Rod and Nancy Reimer's modern home is located at 37584 Highway 128. The home was built in 2010, replacing the original farm house that had been in existence since 1893. Nancy and Rod's children have their own Christmas tree in the lower level of their home. Their tree is decorated with the ornaments that they have made over the years and ornaments that have special meaning for the family. The upstairs decorating style represents Nancy's love for all things that sparkle and glitter.
Jody and Wendy Hawkins
The home of Jody and Wendy Hawkins is located at 309 E. Watson St. in Garnavillo.
This illustrious couple transformed the former funeral home into a single-family home. Jody's grandparents lived in the apartment located on the east side of the building for many years, making the transition of living in a former mortuary less awkward. Wendy's Christmas decorating style is described as traditional.
Mark and Sharol Squires
With years of experience in the field of restoration, the Squires home, located at 411 South First St., Guttenberg, was the perfect fixer-upper for this couple.
The homes history dates back to the 1850s. The unique feature of the home's exposed stone walls was what first attracted Sharol to the house. Sharol describes her decorating taste as "early auction" eclectic. Her traditional holiday decorating style leans toward an English flair. Her dining table will be set with Mark's mother's beloved English heirloom Rubywear dishes.
Intertwined with a mix of unique antiques and adorned with white lights throughout, you will find a real tree in this inviting home decorated with ornaments and baubles that are meaningful to the couple.
