Family of park lovers contributes to bring Tuthill Park House ‘to the finish line’

Jodi Bendt and her brother, Jeff, grew up sledding down the hill at Tuthill Park in the winter and picnicking there in warmer weather.

Enjoying Sioux Falls’ parks was a family tradition. Their mother, Geneva Bendt, and their aunt, Florayne “Fluff” Tiemyer, grew up near Covell Lake, frolicking at the park and attending band concerts that played there and at other city parks in the summer.

“They had such a big extended family, on my mom’s side and my aunt’s, with lots of aunts and uncles and cousins. They loved to use the parks with picnics at Covell Lake and Tuthill and going to the Falls,” said Bendt, who now lives in Arden Hills, Minnesota.

Her father, Earl Bendt, grew up near Jasper, Minnesota, but embraced the park-loving tradition when he married into the Tiemyer family. Geneva Bendt served as a teacher’s aide in Sioux Falls schools, retiring at age 84, while Florayne worked at City Hall for about 30 years.

“They loved the city and were proud of it,” Bendt said.

Her father died in 1989, her aunt in 2015. Geneva Bendt died Nov. 30, 2021, after moving to the Twin Cities to be closer to her daughter.

Bendt was looking for a way to memorialize her parents and aunt. That’s when she learned about the efforts to restore the historic Tuthill House at Tuthill Park. The project was nearing conclusion but still needed funding.

“I thought, oh that’s it, that’s great,” Bendt said.

Bendt contacted Kathy English and Margaret Blomberg, the two women who spearheaded the effort to save the historic structure from destruction. Aided by others, they have raised $350,000 for exterior and interior renovations. Bendt’s donation meant a patio could replace a deck that was added on years ago.

“She got us to the finish line,” Blomberg said of Bendt’s donation in her family’s memory. “Without that, we’d have been waiting.”

Final touches to the house took place over the past few days in advance of public open houses Tuesday and Wednesday. Late last week, a painting needed to be hung yet, along with a display of historic photos and newspaper articles that had been attached to a backdrop made of the house’s old oak flooring.

Volunteers from First Lutheran Church’s woodworking shop created the backdrop.

“They had to rip off the tongue and groove,” Blomberg said. “They used some pieces of the stair risers and treads, too, as a backing.”

Antique furniture donated from several sources, including the family of the late Curt and Ann Louise Kuehn, have been placed in the upstairs rooms. Those will be featured in the bride’s dressing room.

Downstairs furniture has not yet arrived. Once it does, the house will be available for weddings and other events. Until then, weddings scheduled through the Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation Department will be held outdoors in the nearby gazebo with no access to the house.

The house had stood near the Big Sioux River for several decades before Arthur and Dot Tuthill bought it in 1915 to use as a summer residence. In 1953, the land was donated to the city after receiving a pledge that alcohol would not be served there and Dot Tuthill’s delphiniums would be preserved. Tuthill Park opened in 1956.

The house was the residence of the park superintendent and his family until the city turned it into an event venue. Little upkeep took place over 30 years, however, and two years ago the city decided to recommend Tuthill House be declared surplus and torn down.

After learning of that recommendation in the fall of 2020, Blomberg and English sprang into action. They have lived within sight of the house for many years and thought the city would lose a treasure if it was torn down.

Within two months — a deadline much sooner than they had hoped — Blomberg, English and supporters took their plans to the City Council. Councilors voted unanimously to save the house, and it was gifted to the Tuthill Park Neighborhood Association. With the completion of renovations, it since has been returned to the city and is under the Park & Recreation Department’s oversight.

Bendt, who is in Sioux Falls to see the renovations, found other connections as she pursued her donation to the restoration project. Two high school friends have played a role in saving it. Kristina Kuehn served on a resource group; it also included Alex Halbach, Andrea Kuehn, Rachael Meyerink, Lance Meyerink and Adam Nyhaug.

Friend Tammy (Bernard) Noordermeer belongs to the Mary Chilton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The chapter’s foundation made an early donation to the restoration. Bendt, Kuehn and Noordermeer met at the Tuthill House over the Memorial Day weekend.

“They were part of the initial funding with a $50,000 grant,” Bendt said. “It’s just another neat connection. I didn’t know (Tina and Tammy) were part of this when I responded to Margaret and Kathy.”

Open houses to view the newly restored Tuthill Park House will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday.