8th Annual Christmas House Walk
Sponsored by Lake Area Women
Rita and Gerald Queen Home
304 6th Street NW - Elysian
"The theme of our house is a good old fashioned Christmas," said Rita Queen. "I've collected decorations for 50 years and they're everywhere throughout our home." Rita and her husband Gerald decorated their house in a traditional style for the holiday tour. They displayed handmade ornaments, strings of popcorn that have been preserved and used for decades, and many outside decorations including balsam garland and bows arching over the entrance to their three year-old home.
Debra and Bob Bierle Home
211 Jill Lynn Circle - Elysian
Traditional decor fills the Bierle home which overlooks Ray's Lake. Their three year-old house was decked out top to bottom displaying many of Debra's collections including P. Buckley Moss prints, Goebel Angel Bells, and Anri Figurines. House walk visitors enjoyed touring the rooms and meeting their two Bernese Mountain dogs, Jaxson and Harley.
Susan and Reed Anderson Home
49750 Hilltop Lane - Waterville
An eclectic mix of collectibles and antiques from the 1950s made this house an interesting stop on the tour. Susan has been a lifelong collector of antiques and is the co-owner of Vintage Variety in Elysian. Visitors to their countryside home enjoyed collections of Pixieware, figurines, salt and pepper shakers, aluminum Christmas trees, and a display of cakes, decorated by Susan and Dawn Nygren of EllieGails.
Judie and Mike LaFrance Home
43803 66th Street - Elysian
House walk regulars have toured the LaFrance home before. This year, Judie and her daughter-in-law, Nicole, hosted visitors who enjoyed a gingerbread theme in the kitchen inspired by her sons' childhood gingerbread houses, a sunroom filled with birds, an angel collection and animated village. Every bedroom was decorated in a different theme and an amazing Christmas village filled the basement. "Decorating this house is a family affair and we really enjoy it," shared Judie.
About the Christmas House Walk
Now in its eighth successful year, the tour of decorated houses in and around the Elysian area has become a holiday mainstay. Refreshments were served at the Tourism Center where art by Jerry Schaefer was on display. The Elysian Lake Area Women sponsor the event with proceeds going toward community beautification projects.
