45 years of flower delivery service

By Caroline Rosacker

Research indicates the presence of flowers growing in nature or delivered to your front door triggers joyful emotions, increases feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is generally believed. When a six-foot, eight-inch tall, spirited, happy-go-lucky gentleman, sometimes dressed in a tuxedo, delivers those flowers the experience has an even greater impact.  

Augie Petsche of Guttenberg is celebrating his 45th year delivering flowers. A reception in his honor will be held on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Blooming Branches, 511 South First St. in Guttenberg. 

Petsche began his flower delivery career in 1977. Sue Aulwes and Becky Hefel, Village Green owners, hired Petsche. "Sue and Becky knew my sister. They were in school together. They asked me if I wanted to deliver flowers. They were the ones that got me started with the tuxedo. They used to rent it from Brides and Wedding Shop, owned by Marlys Friedlein, on Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. I eventually bought my own from Theis Clothing in Elkader. I used my own van for several years, then Nancy and Linda bought the one I currently drive." 

Petsche's current employers, Linda Ludovissy and Nancy Schroeder, told The Press, "Augie has been with us for the past ten years. He came with us from the Village Green. Everyone that has bought the business gets Augie's delivery service." 

Past Village Green owners include Becky Hefel and Sue Aulwes, Deb and Eric Stirn, Deb Bailey, Tracy Terry from Dubuque, Jim and Becky Moser and Roger and Karen Bolsinger. "I have had a very good time working for everyone," commented Petsche. 

Blooming Branches is grateful for Petsche's dedicated, thoughtful service. "You aren’t going to find someone that will sit at home and wait to be called to deliver flowers," Ludovissy noted. "He comes to the shop early in the morning, opens up and gets the coffee going. If a customer comes in and they are on foot and they make a purchase he always offers to give them a ride home. He is always willing to go above and beyond. I don't know what we would do without him! He would like us to remain in business for another five years. He is determined to make it to 50!"  

Petsche's experience hasn't always been rosy.  "I delivered flowers on Mother's Day a couple of years ago," he shared. "I called the recipient to make sure they were home, which they were. The home was located outside of Garnavillo. I was on the right road, but couldn't find the 911 numbers. I stopped at a house and they told me to go back a quarter mile, but all I could see was timber. I saw a beautiful home on the road to the right and thought I had arrived at the correct address. It still wasn't the right house. They directed me toward the timber and said to walk down the lane. I walked the winding lane up hill and down hill about 3/4 of a mile. I found the house, but nobody was home. I turned around to walk back to the van and ran into the owner. I handed her the flowers and she showed me a short cut down a narrow path that would have gotten me to the house much quicker." 

"Other than a few other incidences, and getting bit by a dog on Valentine's Day, it's all been good," he concluded with a smile.