Senzig's sponsor barn quilt in Tilleda

Todd and Wendy Senzig, owners of Senzig’s Fine Home Furnishings in Shawano, have sponsored Shawano County’s 372nd barn quilt. Called “I Feel MOO-velous,” it is on display on a farm owned by Dean and Cheryl Konkel at W13004 State Highway 29, Tilleda, 15 miles west of Shawano.

Dean Konkel and four brothers, including his twin, Wayne, grew up on the 80-acre farm that was purchased by their parents, Lesley and Beulah Konkel, in 1943 from a Schultz family. The barn on which the quilt is displayed was built more than 100 years ago.

Dean’s dad had a dairy herd of about 20 Holstein cows until 1982. From then until 1988, there were a few beef cattle on the farm, but Dean always had a love of dairy cows, so he put together a dairy herd of 40 Holstein cows and started milking in 1988. He purchased the farm from his dad in 1998 and continues to milk his Holstein cows twice a day. He also does custom harvesting for nearby Hartleben farm, where they raise dairy heifers.

Dean and Cheryl have been married since 2004. She works at Fleet Farm in Clintonville, where they met in 2002.

“One day, I went to Fleet Farm to buy some bug spray, and I came home with a wife,” Dean said with a chuckle.

Senzig’s Fine Furniture has been in business in Shawano for 56 years through three generations, currently owned by Todd and Wendy. However, the history of their farming roots will lie forever in the hearts of the Senzig family.

Todd’s grandparents were all farmers, while Wendy grew up on a Christmas tree farm. Their upbringing taught them both from an early age the importance of agriculture. Today, they use their learned skills through gardening, something they look forward to every spring.

Although it may not be harvesting acres of crops or planting rows of seedlings, the love the Senzigs have for tending to the earth remains strong.

“Our sponsorship of a barn quilt for Shawano County comes from a deep respect and admiration for the farmers in our community,” Todd Senzig said. “We are thankful for the opportunity to show our appreciation to the farmers in our area and the people they serve.”

The Konkel barn quilt was painted by the Shawano County barn quilt committee and was put on display by LeRoy Raddant and his grandson, Keenan, both of whom work for Raddant Electric in Shawano.