Handcrafted gifts of love

My late husband, Glenn Dresselhaus, was truly a talented craftsman. His favorite medium was working with black walnut.

He cut the walnut trees down and made boards suitable for crafts. His specialty was making items with his scroll saw – these items were very intricate. His handiwork won many ribbons and awards at the fair, Festival of Trees, Plus 60 Art Show, and other venues. 

His favorite gifts to make were for the pastors at Christmas. Every fall, he spent considerable time deciding which pattern to use and creating his masterpiece. Over the years, the gifts were a variety of nativity scenes, angels, or words expressing joy to the world and peace.

After cutting out the intricate ornaments, he sanded and then sealed them with a finish. He wrapped them and delivered them. Glenn loved to share his creations – he always said homemade gifts were an expression of love, and by creating with his hands, he also expressed God’s love.

Glenn died of cancer on Oct. 8, 2011. Our son, Mark, who lives in Kalona, Iowa, is also a talented craftsman and is carrying on the tradition of creating beautiful items with his dad’s scroll saw.

– Betty Dresselhaus