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Winfield completes Habitat Home
Pettit family now enjoys homeownership thanks to Habitat for Humanity, the Winfield Community, and the persistence of Jerry Fricke
WINFIELD — While the Pettit family begins to make new memories in their new home in Winfield, Tanya Pettit says she will take the memory of the man that made it all possible with her.
While Pettit initially grew up in Cedar Rapids, she moved to the Winfield area in 2005 with her parents. She is now a mother to three: a 14-year-old daughter, 12-year-old son, and 8-year-old son. She works at Walmart and loves to spend time with her kids, watch movies, and enjoy the little things in life.
Now, thanks to Henry County Habitat for Humanity and the determined generosity of beloved Winfield resident Jerry Fricke, a whole team of volunteers, and some of her own sweat and tears, Pettit now has a home all her own to continue to enjoy those things.
“I met this wonderful man, Jerry Fricke,” Pettit said. “He talked me into filling out the paperwork for Habitat for Humanity. He even came and helped me fill out the paperwork. He even donated the land so I could have a place here in Winfield.”
Even after getting the ball rolling, Pettit said Fricke did not let up.
“He even helped build the house with me until he passed away,” she said. “That was heartbreaking. It was a hard time. But I know he wanted me and my family here. That happened after the fifth build day.”
Fricke passed away in his home Sunday, Aug. 20, but his efforts to get Pettit into her own home continued with the support of the community, his wife, and Pettit’s family.
“His wife Pat has been a blessing to me as well,” Pettit said. “She helped me pick out the interior from the cupboards to the countertops to the paint to helping me choose what would look just right.”
The home consists of two bathrooms. (Photo Submitted)
The home consists of two bathrooms. (Photo Submitted)
Pat Fricke helped select the right kitchen cabinets and counter tops. (Photo Submitted)
Pat Fricke helped select the right kitchen cabinets and counter tops. (Photo Submitted)
The home also includes three bedrooms for Pettit and her three children. (Photo Submitted)
Additionally, memorial donations made in Fricke’s name were directed specifically to completing Pettit’s home.
With the help of many volunteers, Pettit’s three-bedroom two-bath home was completed in only 17 total build days. According to Habitat for Humanity, the project took 1,310 total volunteer hours to build.
Of those, 398 hours were completed by inmates and 451 hours were completed by the community. All the while, Pettit worked right alongside those helping her create this home as she and her family put in 461 of the hours.
Pettit would say those many hours filled with hard work, sweat, and tears were the most rewarding part of the experience.
Along the way, she learned new skills and saw her community show up in incredible ways. In the end, she excitedly signed the paperwork to become a first-time homeowner Feb. 16.
“I never thought I would own a home,” Pettit said.
Now she looks forward to having a stable place for her family to call home.
“We have so many memories to make here,” Pettit said. “I’m excited to watch my boys play baseball right out back! It’s going to be sweet. I love the location. I can’t wait to plant flowers and a garden in my yard.”
While Pettit says the process takes time, she is glad Fricke pushed her to do it.
“I am a homeowner now,” she said. “I can decorate every holiday and have family and friends over!”
For those that also think homeownership might not be in their cards, Pettit encourages them to keep dreaming because “anything is possible. You just have to believe!”
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
