Your Hosts

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The Hesslings started welcoming guests to Gathering Place Resort & Lodge in June 2020. As new owners, they are eager to build quality accommodations, a friendly resort atmosphere and a legacy of outstanding customer service. Here’s a little about them in their own words: 

We are mid-westerners and both very active in outdoor sports and activities. Mike grew up in Peoria, Illinois, and is the youngest in a family of 8. He loves to fish and is enjoying learning more about the fish habitat of Red Cedar Lake. Graduating from Parks College of St Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, Mike spent 35 years in the aerospace industry. He retired in May 2020 as Executive Vice President of Engineering, Cobham PLC. He loves to “talk airplanes” with anyone who has that common interest. Or bring up Cubs baseball, and you will be chatting for hours.

Deanna hails from Hastings, Minnesota, and has family in the Minnesota-Wisconsin area. While growing up, she spent time most summers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the Northwoods of Minnesota and as a result loves the out-of-doors. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a degree in chemistry, and to this day, takes every chance she gets to cheer on “her” Badgers. Over the years, Deanna has worked in multiple industries including chemical, pharmaceutical, chemical equipment and finally aerospace.

We are both so excited to be in this phase of our lives and to be operating this resort for our guests. Our mission is to create an environment in the tranquility of the Wisconsin outdoors where families and friends can gather and build memories. 

Mike and Deanna