About your Hosts - Nancy and Dave Huisenga

Dave and Nancy bought the Habberstad House and moved to Lanesboro in 2000 after staying at the Habberstad House and finding it was for sale. Dave was the Chief of the St. Paul Fire Department Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and was looking to retire after nearly 30 years in the Department as a professional paramedic firefighter. He also had the great experience of owning and operating a wine and cheese store/deli (Four Seasons Cheese) which started in Hastings and grew to 4 stores in the Minneapolis/St Paul area.

Nancy is a cardiac nurse (RN) who became involved in monitoring, managing and directing medical research with various medical device companies for many years. Before she became a nurse she was an actor, having attended the University of Minnesota Theatre Department for 4 years. Now she acts locally with the Commonweal Theatre Company, the Lanesboro Community Theatre, and other theatres in the area. She has written and directed for the Lanesboro Community Theatre, and created a character, little Lena Ann, for the Commonweal Theatre's Over the Back Fence Radio Show.

Dave and Nancy lived in Highland Park, a part of St. Paul, for many years before moving to Lanesboro, and love small town life. They have family living in and around the Twin Cities, so there are frequent trips north from Lanesboro. Their two and 1/2 year old granddaughter, Alice, is the light of their life, and may be seen running around the yard during occasional visits.  Another grandchild, Grayson, lives in Portland, Oregon.

Nancy became a Master Gardener and used her skills to design the gardens at the Habberstad House. Dave is very patient in picking out plants with her, and coordinating the garden design execution and maintenance. Dave is very handy and takes care of the many repairs and upgrades to the property, but having been a professional firefighter, he also cooks and cleans! Nancy and Dave both love to cook and prepare great breakfasts for guests. Dave has worked with local Amish tour businesses and knows the Amish community well.

The newest addtion to their home is the little white French miniature poodle named Lena, born in January, 2009. They all welcome you to their home!