The Shrine

Many Ace Hardware store owners believe it is more than just a job. It is a calling. When Crosslake Ace Hardware owners Dan and Betty Soller visited a shrine that was in disrepair, they rolled up their sleeves and got the community involved with the rehabilitation of the landmark.

When Dan's father passed, he and Betty made a trip to his father's house in Wyoming to pick up his father's belongings and his ashes. As they were coming back, they stopped at the Fatima Family Shrine in Alexandria, South Dakota. For them, it was a beautiful experience, but they noticed that the surrounding facilities could use their help.

Community parishioners were only too happy to have the support of Dan and Betty. Joe Jarding, parishioner and landscaper at Mary of Mercy Church, set up a meeting to develop a plan.

"We started walking around and looking at things, and I made some notes," said Dan. "I took pictures of all the things I could help with. As an Ace Hardware, we can do so much."

"I totally believe it was divine intervention," said Joe. "The good Lord said we need to clean this up a little bit and all of a sudden here comes Dan and Betty."

Even though the shrine was 6 hours from their Ace store, Dan and Betty made several trips with the supplies that were needed to spruce up the buildings and grounds at the shrine. This included tools and supplies for groundskeeping, new benches and new lighting.

"They contributed physically, and they gave us money," said Joe. "But they also united our parish."

Parishioners in the community joined in the restoration, with close to 30 people helping with projects.

"It was a calling to do something, and then it became a mission," said Betty. "I think we just gave a little spark to a flame that was already there. I've received so much more from them than I will ever be able to give. It's a beautiful parish."