Small Town, Big Hearts: Building Marinuka Manor Gazebo

Volunteers framing the Gazebo at Marinuka Manor in Galesville, Wisconsin

One of the strengths of small-town living is the willingness of people to help when help is needed. A project to build a gazebo for a nursing home in Galesville, Wisconsin, reached completion with support from a team of Kraus-Anderson volunteers.

Marinuka Manor is a 59-bed municipal nursing home managed by Bethany St. Joseph Corporation in Galesville, a community of approximately 1,400 residents.

A Community Need and a Volunteer Response

Marinuka Manor began planning for a new gazebo in summer 2014, according to Administrator Leah Rentmeester. The previous gazebo had fallen into disrepair and was removed when the parking lot was rebuilt to address drainage concerns.

“Our residents advocated for a new gazebo,” Rentmeester said.

Planning began in fall 2015, and plans were finalized in January 2016. A fundraiser began in March to cover material costs. The original plan was for the local high school shop class to complete the construction, but the class determined that the project was too large for its available time and resources.

Rentmeester then contacted her brother, Jason, in the Twin Cities and asked whether he and their father, Paul, could volunteer. Jason, a Kraus-Anderson project manager, recognized that the project would need a larger team and asked the company for support.

Terry Hart, director of operations for the Circle Pines office, agreed to provide a team of builders for a day. General Superintendent Jim Bergren assembled a group that included Superintendents Jack Bronczyk, Brandon Lawson and Jesse Fiskewold; Yard Manager Eric Domino; Chris Johnson, a carpenter foreman from the Rochester office; and Jason.

The team traveled to Galesville on Friday, May 20, and completed most of the work while Marinuka residents watched from nearby.

“Many of our residents watched the building of the gazebo and enjoyed it immensely,” Rentmeester said. “We are a small town and serve many people who worked in construction or on farms throughout their lives. Many of the men watched for hours and reminisced about past work projects. The women enjoyed watching the men build the gazebo, and several times we had large groups outside enjoying the sunshine while watching them work.”

The Community Helped Complete the Project

At the end of the volunteer workday, some work remained.

“I was at the grocery store across the street and saw the gazebo was up,” said Galesville Alderman Randy Larson. “I pulled in just as the KA team was leaving, and I realized it was not finished. I figured, as a citizen, I could volunteer and help. I said, ‘See you tomorrow.’”

Larson, a carpenter by trade, returned the next morning with scaffolding. He joined Leah and Jason Rentmeester, their parents Paul and Christine, to complete the roofing, soffit and fascia work.

“They are all hard workers,” Larson said. “I knew Leah was going the extra mile for the nursing home, and I wanted to help.”

On Tuesday, May 24, Chris Johnson returned with Ben Kloos, a Circle Pines yard employee. Together, they completed the siding and the project.

“Jason, Jim, Eric, Jesse, Jack, Brandon, Chris and Ben were all fantastic people, with an all-business demeanor and a joy to be around,” Paul Rentmeester said.

The finished gazebo at Marinuka Manor

A New Amenity for Marinuka Manor Residents

The completed gazebo became an immediate amenity for Marinuka Manor residents.

“It is a win-win for the residents and for the community,” Larson said.

“The residents just love it,” Rentmeester said. “They hold group activities in the gazebo, open the windows for newspaper or book readings and spend time outdoors. Some residents go out for an early-afternoon activity and do not want to return indoors until dinner because they enjoy it so much.”

The gazebo gave residents an opportunity to watch activity around the nearby high school, grocery store and Main Street. Families and friends also used the space to visit, play cards and celebrate special occasions.

“I cannot express how much we appreciate and how grateful we are that Kraus-Anderson was willing to do this,” Rentmeester said. “Thank you so much for everything you did.”

Learn more about community involvement, the KA Has Heart employee volunteer program, volunteering in the community and KA Has Heart activity across outstate offices.