Today we’d like to introduce you to Irmadene Hanson
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Irmadene grew up on this farm, her parents bought it in 1970 and she bought it from them in 1996, so she raised her three daughters there as well. Wayne and Irmadene met in 2010, and since is is from Wisconsin, he decided to move here with Irmadene in 2014. Irmadene is a nurse as well as a leadership speaker and workshop facilitator and Wayne owned his own HVAC business in WI but when he moved to MN he worked for the local union. When COVID hit in 2020, all of Irmadene’s workshops were cancelled and she went back to nursing full time and Wayne’s job was up and down due to COVID as well. Finally in 2021 they made the decision to renovate the barn so that Irmadene could hold her workshops there and rent it out to businesses for meetings and conferences as well has social parties for anyone. So in August 2021 they started the work and along with hired help on and off for carpentry as well as licensed electricians and plumbers, cement workers and an infloor heat company, the project was finished just short of 3 years in June of 2024. They had their Grand Opening on June 20th, 2024.
The Rock N’ Willow Ranch boasts room for 100 people in the Hayloft upstairs; The Buffalo Conference Room holds 18 and the Patriot Conference Room holds 8 – they both have large screen TV’s, HDMI hook ups, white boards, cushioned chairs and hand made tables; there are also two offices The Longhorn and The Cheyenne with hand-crafted desk, high quality adjustable, swivel chair, free WIFI & parking, coffee, hot tea, distilled hot/cold water dispenser, communal refrigerator & microwave. In addition, you also receive 2x/mo. complimentary use of either The Patriot or The Buffalo conference rooms; then there is The Boardwalk that has outdoor seating including comfortable wooden rocking chairs and soft seating; upstairs out of the hayloft there is a large deck that gives you a beautiful view of the surrounding area; lastly there is The Hen House, beautiful feminine suite for a bride and her bridesmaids to get ready for her beautiful day.
They also have 5 ponds with 30 acres of walking paths throughout their property, given way to putting your phone away and getting out in nature. Whether you have a business meeting or a wedding or anything in between, there are spaces for everyone!
In 2025, there are plans to enhance the outdoor spaces with a small deck, an arch for weddings and a Grooms Room, as well as wooden fencing for the pasture so one can lean over and watch the horses.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it’s not been a smooth road ha ha! Nothing ever is when you are renovating old buildings. The logistics of plumbing, electrical and the stairway made for many, many discussion of how to fit everything in. All of a sudden the 30′ x 60′ barn seemed small. Also it seemed to be the case that it often is “Well as long as we’re here, we may as well do this, and as long as we’re there we may as well go all the way and to that.” This caused the project to go on much longer than anticipated and to be more costly that we had planned for.
It was also hard on us, Wayne worked from sun up til sun down, often 6-7 days a week and when Irmadene wasn’t nursing she did the same. This took a tole on our social life and we often told our friends “If you are still with us when this is all done, we know you’re really good friends!” It also was hard on us as a couple, physically exhausted, mentally drained and financially strapped for a bit. But … we prevailed and we feel we have a tighter bond than ever. You know what they say “If you can build or renovate a house together, you can do anything! And given that this also has a full kitchen and the men’s bathroom also has a shower, you really COULD live in here! Also the old milk house in now an office for Irmadene so that’s there too!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
We really don’t believe in good or bad luck, we believe you make your own luck. Life is about learning and growing and doing better tomorrow that today. Put your head down, get it done, and hopefully reap the benefits for years to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rocknwillowranch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocknwillowranch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rocknwillowranch/
