Grandma Buddies tree farm was first planted in 1982. Formerly having an apple orchard, Hazel and her husband Gilbert had also raised chickens, during the years when they had a poultry business. (The “wreath” barn is the last remaining “chicken” barn.) Their son Del had already started his Christmas tree farms, and it seemed like a good thing to do with their land. Planting mostly pines back then, Hazel and Gilbert thought it would be something to keep them busy during their retirement years. Tree farms are a lot of work, but Grandma Buddy was no stranger to this. After Gilbert passed away at the end of 1983, she kept the farm going with the help of her oldest grandson, Gary, and her daughter Sylvann and son-in-law Tom. Over the years the family has expanded, and many things have changed on the farm. Grandma Buddy continued to work in the field, spraying with a backpack in her late 80’s. You could usually find her in the barn at Christmas time. On February 26, 2006, one week after her 93rd birthday, she passed away. We miss her, but her spirit lives on in our hearts. She loved to see kids of all ages smile, and she loved Christmas!

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