Shared joy of creating keeps villa couple connected

A villa couple proves you don’t need a professional degree in arts to become prolific creators – just a shared love of creativity and the curiosity to pursue new interests. 

After retirement, Jerry and Loyce Dumke ran an antique store and then a furniture restoration business out of a large shop on an acreage outside of Guttenberg. About 20 years ago, the high school art teacher in Guttenberg asked Jerry to make frames for his students’ stained-glass projects.  That piqued Jerry’s interest in learning the art himself.  

Loyce already enjoyed woodworking, tole painting and thrown pottery, when a basket weaver asked Jerry to make wooden lids for her baskets.  Loyce reached out and started taking lessons.

“There are so many things you can do in life and you want to experience everything you can, right?” Loyce exclaims.   

Their villa showcases many of their creations.  The Dumkes found their way to Western Home Communities in 2018 after Loyce, visiting a friend in Cedar Falls, saw a construction sign and called to inquire.  

“It’s been a perfect move for us,” says Jerry. A spare bedroom is where Jerry creates and Loyce keeps a tidy closet full of her supplies.  

Loyce admits basket weaving is messy; reeds need to soak in buckets of water to soften. Clippings and reed dust abound, so she prefers to do the work outside and clean up with a leaf blower. The finishing step requires a seal or stain to complete the 8-10 hour process.  

Jerry finds inspiration and patterns online. “Geometrics are fun, and old Arts and Crafts style work well for stained glass,” he says. 

Loyce often gifts her baskets to friends and family; they might consider selling items on Etsy or Facebook Marketplace. Jerry shared his stained glass at the 2021 Handcrafted Holiday Sale, where smaller suncatchers were popular.  

“If you have any problems in the world at all, when you do stained glass or basket weaving, they all go away,” says Loyce. “It’s good therapy for anybody and time goes by quickly.”

Jerry’s handmade furniture, adorned with Loyce’s basket, greets guests at the front door of their villa.