Introduction
Walter Ostrenga was born in 1912. He is the owner/operator of the Sunset Cottages and is also the family patriarch of five generations of offspring. His greatest joy in life is watching family members and guests who visit his Kelly Lake resort as they swim, and sun, picnic, and fish under the summer sun.
1947: Wally’s Sunset Cottages began to be an entity with the purchase of a lakefront lot
on Kelly Lake.
1948: The Large Family Cottage was built on the lot.
1953: Two more lakefront lots were purchased. The Small Family Cottage was built.
1955: Four Wingfoot Homes were set up as summer rentals.
1963: Wally’s Retirement Home was built on Kelly Lake.
1972: Wally retired from Alllis Chalmers plant in Milwaukee and moved to Kelly Lake.
1979: The four Wingfoot homes were sold and removed from the property.
1947 to 2007: Property values increased 1660%. Rental rates were increased to try to
keep up.
2008: Wally, at age 95, can say that he has been running his Kelly Lake business for 60
years. He especially enjoys meeting and greeting his guests. Guests have become
friends and many of them have been returning on an annual basis up to the third
and fourth generation. New visitors can expect to receive a warm welcome.
Children receive a special surprise when they swim in front of the Sunset
Cottages. Wally makes sure that there are plenty of specially harvested Florida
seashells planted in Kelly Lake water. After a swim, the little guests can be seen
counting out their treasures while their dad’s are counting out their fish.
A knock on Wally’s door, brings an invitation to come in, sit down, visit, and dig
into the ever-present bowl of chocolates. A visit of more than two minutes brings
a show of a 60 year collection of Polish jokes.
*Guests are met when they arrive.
*Questions and needs are dealt with promptly.
*Camp Nurse on the premises.
*Emergency Medical Services and hospital ER within 15 miles.
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