Habitat for Humanity dedicates its 26th house in Winneshiek County

Habitat Executive Director Gus Johnson presents a home fix-it book to Samantha Thiele and Kyle Dahl

Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity on Sunday dedicated another house--the 26th it has built since starting.

The new house at 1115 Division Street will be owned by Kyle Dahl and
Samantha Thiele. Samantha works as a teller at Fidelity Bank and Trust, while Kyle does seasonal work for Bruening Rock Products and in the winter stays home with Madison for two days each week.

At Sunday's dedication, Samantha called the house "A dream come true."

Habitat Executive Director Gus Johnson estimates that between 75 and 100 volunteers worked on the house. Luther College was heavily involved in the building of the latest house, with  Luther students and staff members raising $50,000 in donations and providing extensive volunteer labor. The college's wrestlers shingled the roof, students helped build interior walls, and  Facilities Services workers assisted in casing the doors and windows.

The home at 1115 Division Street in Decorah

Homeowners Samantha Thiele, Madison and Kyle Dahl and Habitat Executive Director Gus Johnson