This article reflects on the author’s personal history, family legacy, and faith, highlighting how past experiences and parental influence shaped their life and successful lettuce farming business. It emphasizes gratitude toward God for guidance and blessings, the importance of honoring one’s parents, and the desire for future generations to understand and appreciate these values. The author encourages self-reflection, sharing family stories, and documenting the farm’s history for grandchildren, while underscoring that achievements are the result of divine grace rather than personal merit.
Reflecting even further, I realize that the values and lessons my parents quietly instilled in me have shaped not just my work ethic, but my entire approach to life. Their steady, humble example taught me resilience and gratitude, even when the path ahead was uncertain or challenging. Looking back, these foundational experiences didn’t just prepare me to run a business; they equipped me to persevere through life’s transitions with faith and trust in God’s greater plan.
As I continue to share these memories and insights, my hope is that future generations—especially our grandchildren—will find encouragement and wisdom in these stories. May they see that behind every success and every challenge, God’s guidance and provision were present, often in ways we only recognize with the benefit of hindsight. If these reflections help them to seek and honor the Lord in their own journeys, then sharing my story will have served its true purpose.
● Had a high tech irrigated lettuce farm in the City of Glendale (Suburb now of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Farm was located at corner of Florist and Baker Rd. East side of Baker Rd.Trade Press Media Publishing (now Trade Press Media Group) purchased the first two acre parcel on corner of Florist & Baker. Last year Johnson Controls just South of the property, purchased about 5 acres from the present owners and demolished the buildings and put up a new Engineering building.. See aerial pictures further on in the blog. (at the time of farm operation).
● Specialized in growing Bibb, Romaine, Boston and Leaf lettuce. Had the highest quality lettuce by keeping soil moisture at optimum level, applying key minor elements as needed, keeping soil nutrients and PH at optimum levels.
● With the perfection of the art and science of lettuce growing(at the time), we became the Lettuce grower/supplier of choice for both Kohl’s and Sentry (Godfrey Co/Flemming Co.), the two top food chain stores in Wisconsin at the time. We were the only lettuce growers in the area! Similar lettuce was shipped in to the Chicago market where both Kohls and Sentry purchased their produce. Marketing was not a challenge. Wish I knew then what I know now…grateful to Kohl’s produce buyer, John (Jake) Antonucci for the good relationship we had. Thanks Jake! (Jake’s) last words to me were, “You’ll be back in business again…It’s in your blood.” Not in the Lord’s plan…but my interest did not die.
A few pictures More The Farm Operation
The farm: Where lettuce was started in early February.
Corner of Florist and Baker Rd.
A few pictures More The Farm Operation
Lateral rows of 6 ” concrete tile every 30 feet to drain moisture from soil early in Spring so lettuce could be transplanted early and harvested by June 1st.
For Kohls and Sentry the two premier food stores back in the day!
Johnson Controls Co. Now. In 2025, Johnson Controls purchased about half of the 11 acres from the current owners and demolished their buildings and put up this Engineering Bldg.
Corner of Florist and Baker Rd. Farm house. Dassows Farm house. Corner of Florist and Baker Rd.
Johnson Controls new building. Where farm house was.
