by Brianne Eilers
This Friday, June 26 marks the final day for one of Waukon’s oldest businesses, The Waukon Greenhouse.
Sherrie and Gil Hunstad took over the business from Sherrie’s parents, Jim and Helen Johnson, in 2002. Sherrie was basically born and raised in the industry, and the Waukon Greenhouse business has been in her family since 1928.
FIRST IN THE FAMILY
The original location of the greenhouse was located on First Avenue NW in Waukon, across from the current East Elementary School campus. In 1928 Vera Kruger and Knute and Verna Quandahl purchased the greenhouse from Mrs. Van Nice, wife of Presbyterian Church minister Pastor Van Nice. This was the first generation of Sherrie’s family to own the business.