Iowa man decorates entire block to give wife with Alzheimer’s a magical Christmas memory
John Reichart, a 74-year-old man from Indianola, Iowa, has gone above and beyond to create a magical Christmas memory for his wife, Joan, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s four years ago. With a deep desire to give his wife as many good memories as possible to hold onto, Reichart transformed his entire block into a winter wonderland.
Reichart’s love for his wife shines through as he decorated every house on his block, showcasing his dedication to making Joan happy. As a U.S. Marine veteran, Reichart’s commitment to his wife is unwavering, and he wanted to fulfill her wish for a Christmas celebration.
To bring his vision to life, Reichart first had to get the support of his neighbors. With their enthusiastic approval, he set out on a two-month journey to decorate every house on the block. Despite nursing a bad foot, Reichart persevered, using a power wheelchair to transport Christmas decorations and ornaments from house to house. He even enlisted the help of professionals for some of the more intricate light installations.
The result of Reichart’s hard work and dedication is a street lined with towering Christmas trees, houses adorned with customized lights, and an abundance of festive ornaments. The community has come together to appreciate the winter wonderland Reichart has created, with neighbors dressing up as Santa Claus and handing out candy canes to visitors.
The impact of Reichart’s Christmas display extends beyond his block, attracting visitors from all over town and neighboring areas. Reichart and Joan can be found in their garage every evening, offering hot chocolate to passersby and spreading joy to all who visit.
While Joan may not always show her emotions due to her condition, Reichart knows that she appreciates the effort he has put into creating this magical Christmas memory for her. When asked about her husband’s gift, Joan expressed her gratitude, saying, “I’m glad he did it. I love him.”
In recognition of Reichart’s selfless act, a neighbor set up a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help cover the costs of the decorations. Additionally, a P.O. Box has been established for people to send Christmas cards to the couple, showing the widespread impact of Reichart’s gesture of love.
Reichart’s motivation for creating this spectacular display is simple – his love for his wife and his passion for Christmas. In a time when joy and happiness are needed more than ever, Reichart’s act of kindness serves as a reminder of the power of love and community spirit during the holiday season.
