Lush Wooded Acreage and Semi-Private Lake
- House3500 sq. ft.
- Sleeps: 22
- Bedrooms: 8
- Bathrooms: 3
- Min Stay: 2–4 nights
Rural, private and safe. Pontoon and canoes included
Bedrooms
Amenities
Featured
- Air Conditioning
- Pets Welcome
- TV
- Washer & Dryer
- Children Welcome
- Parking
- No Smoking
- Accessible
- Heater
Bathrooms
- Bathrooms: 3
Safety features
- Smoke detectorAll locations per State of Minnesota code.
- Fire extinguisherKitchen, Attic, Gathering Space, Garage, Barn, Laundry Room
- First-aid kit3/4 Bathroom off of Peter's Room
- Exterior lighting
- Carbon-monoxide detectorPer State of Minnesota code.
- Deadbolt lock
Location Type
- RuralThe area surrounding the Olive Branch is beautiful and remote including the Grey Eagle Wildlife Management Area, farmland and an abundance of lakes.
- Lake
- Lake ViewGorgeous view of the lake from the house.
- LakefrontSemi-private nature lake. Great swimming from the floating dock. Fishing is excellent. Peaceful canoe, pontoon and paddle boat rides. Incredible sunsets.
- Water ViewView of the water from the house and yard. Access directly from the property.
- WaterfrontThis property is on Fuller Lake with a dock, swim dock, two canoes and pontoon. We encompass 3/4 of the lakes frontage - abutting a 1400 nature reserve.
General
- Air ConditioningMain entertaining spaces - The Gathering Space and the Sitting Room - are conditioned. Seven fans located throughout the house.
- HeatingHeat pump provides quick heating in the main entertaining spaces. Each room has electric baseboard heat with thermostat so guests can adjust to their preference.
- Linens ProvidedFull bed linens provided. Guests are required to bring bath towels.
- Washing MachineAvailable for guest use if necessary.
- Clothes DryerAvailable for guest use if necessary.
- ParkingAmple on-site parking available.
- GarageTwo stall garage set up for additional entertaining space including lighting, foosball table, workbench 'bar' with stools.
- Wood StoveOne located in main Gathering Space and in one Chicken Barn.
- Iron & Board
- Hair Dryer
- Living RoomWe call this the Gathering Space. Two couches, several chairs and wood burning stove.
Kitchen
- Refrigerator2 full size refrigerators w/freezer.
- StoveRange/oven combination.
- OvenRange/oven combination.
- MicrowaveCounter top 1100 watt
- Grill
- Coffee MakerThe coffee bar is set with two coffee makers, coffee, tea, filters & flavored syrups.
- ToasterFour slice toaster stored in the pantry.
- Blender
- Dishes & UtensilsDaily use dinnerware and china available for special occasions. Ample silverware, glasses & cups for large group.
- KitchenRange, 2 refrigerators, double sink, crock pot, griddle, toaster, mixer, 2 coffee makers.
- Kettle
Dining
- Dining Area
- Child's Highchair
- DiningDining Room, Breakfast Porch and Patio available for dining.
Entertainment
- TelevisionConnected to DVD Player for movies only. No local channels.
- DVD PlayerA huge library of PG-13 movies or better on site.
- BooksLibrary with a variety of reading materials for use.
- Foosball
- GamesGame closet in the Sitting Room holds a variety of board games, card games and toys.
- ToysToy closet in Children's Hideaway Attic; yard games; art desk and game closet.
- Video LibraryLarge selection of DVD movies
Outside
- Lawn / GardenMemory garden and massive lawn.
- Kayak / CanoeTwo canoes and paddle boat.
- BoatPontoon - included with reservation.
- Porch / VerandaScreened Porch with view of the woods.
- Deck / PatioHuge patio - 12 X 40 feet.
- GolfWithin 20 minute drive.
Suitability
- wheelchair accessibleWith some limitations - please call for details.
Notes
- Renovated Barn with 1/2 bath, patio, large yard, fire pit, walking trails & orchard. Dock is floating with pontoon and two canoes - life vests provided in many sizes. Bring your own if you need a specific size.
Policies
Cancellation Policy
- 100% refund if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in.
- 50% refund (minus the service fee) if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in.
- No refund if you cancel less than 14 days before check-in.
Damage and incidentals
You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.
House Rules
Children allowed - Very child friendly.Very child friendly.
Pets allowed - Outdoors only. Please clean up after your pets.Outdoors only. Please clean up after your pets.
Parties/events allowed
No smoking - Outdoor Smoking Alcove provided.Outdoor Smoking Alcove provided.
Max guests: 22
Minimum age of primary renter: 18
- Pontoon drivers must have at least minimal experience and over 18-years of age.
Cleaning practices
Check in and check out with no person-to-person contact
Cleaned with disinfectant
Minimum 1-day vacancy between guest stays
12 Reviews
Wonderful Memories
Every summer, we have a family get together in June. Our normal place was closed this year due to COVID. We were very fortunate to find Olive Branch and will treasure the memories made for many years to come!
Thank you Rachael for your kind words! I was very grateful you chose our property for your important time together. ~ Marla
Annual Family Get Together
We had a wonderful time at the Olive Branch Retreat. The breakfast porch was a great space to enjoy dinners together as a family. There were plenty of bedrooms so everyone could have there own sleeping space at bedtime or even for our frequent naps it was very restful. The pontoon was a wonderful bonus (it’s getting harder for us older folk to get in and out of fishing boats these days) we caught enough sunnies for a meal. Marla was great to have as a host, she even called before we came to see if we needed anything. Thank you for the wonderful week.
Sharon, I am so glad you had a wonderful week at The Olive Branch. We were very happy to have your group stay with us.
Great getaway
The property is peaceful and the scenery is lovely. We had a wonderful and relaxing time!
wonderful time!
The property was great. Plenty of room for everyone. Had lots of space to roam around. The grounds are beautiful and the kids and grandkids had a blast on the lake with the pontoon.. We found a great beach about five miles away. Overall, a great experience and i would recomend the Olive Branch Retreat to anyone looking for a place for a lot of people.
Sue, you were a delight to have stay with us! I appreciate your kinds words and your business.
~ Marla
4 Generation Family Reunion-Blessed by our time together!
There are few rentals that host 22 people well. We are so glad our family found this beautiful, spacious property! One of our favorite activities was time on the pontoon (INCLUDED in the rental!) We fished daily (and they were biting!) and cruised the lake enjoying the resident loons. The kids had a ball catching fish right off the dock. My husband even caught a 15 inch bass from the dock!
There is a back yard that overlooks the lake, and the side yard by a beautiful flower garden. We had Ladder Ball and a hammock set up on one lawn. On the other we played croquet, bocce' ball and softball with a plastic bat and ball. We had all 4 generations playing croquet. (We brought games with us, but there were a few in the yard barn) All of these activities could be viewed by those sitting on the patio.
We had rain several days, so we set up the ping-pong table up in the garage, as well as banquet tables (provided) for games which the kids appreciated. There were also many inside games.
The kitchen was well stocked and made cooking for 21 doable. The photo of the gathering room doesn't do it justice. It's actually 3 rooms that flow into each other. Which allowed large groups to gather. There was still the dining room and breakfast porch as well as the chicken barn and fire pit for smaller groups to assemble.
The inside of the cabin is a bit rustic, but charming. Many nooks, cubbies and crannies to explore. Our group brought 2 blow up mattresses and placed them in the 'chapel' and the children's attic rather than using the pull out couch in the Gathering Room.
We really appreciated the two coffee pots (with a selection of coffee, tea and hot chocolate) , two refrigerators and the hot/cold water dispenser in the kitchen. There was charcoal and lighter fluid provided for the grill as well as wood for the fire pit. Marla thinks of everything!
Marla has the yard treated with an environmentally safe product which resulted in minimal mosquito bites...just a few at night around the fire pit. THANKS AGAIN, MARLA. Memories for a lifetime!
Our family that gathered ranged in age from 6 to 89. Everyone found something to do and thanked me over and over for finding this property that brought us all together under one roof.
The shoreline isn't sandy and gradual for young swimmers, but we took a trip into Sauk Centre to enjoy their nice Splash Pad by the campground with 6-12 year olds. Older swimmers will enjoy the raft.
Sandy,
What a wonderful review! It was an absolute joy having your family stay at the Olive Branch.
~ Marla
Map
Just 10 miles from the Lake Wobegon Trail in Melrose which provides walking, biking and cross country skiing opportunity.. Adjacent to 1300 acres Wildlife Reserve. 65 acres of abundant wildlife and massive private yard.
Owner
Marla Waseka
- Languages:
- english
About Marla Waseka
At the Olive Branch Retreat it’s always the perfect time to connect. Marla is dedicated to creating a relaxing and peaceful experience filled with unexpected delights. We call this feeling “unplugged tranquility”. We hope you can come and stay! With Love and Joy, Marla
Marla Waseka purchased this House in 2008
Why Marla Waseka chose Grey Eagle
The Olive Branch offers an alternative experience to the fast pace. Slow down; connect with those you are with; surrounded by nature. The former convent us nestled in the middle of 68 acres of lush forested land and a semi-private lake. Share stories around a crackling fire outside, or the wood-burning fireplace inside. Craft meals to remember in the large kitchen. Roam the large yard; play yard games and take in the multiple outdoor entertaining spaces. Explore nature-filled walking trails. The Olive Branch has been renovated with old world charm and loaded with character. There are several rooms for guests to enjoy their own space and larger spaces to gather as a group. Both wings of the convent are designed for privacy so your guests are not disturbed while others stay up late or rise early.
What makes this House unique
Many have claimed the spiritual benefits of this property where family members inexplicably get along; inspirations are discovered and occurances of life contemplation happen. Nature is abundant on this property. With 1300 acres of wildlife reserve to the West, your neighbors are quiet and watchful. The lake is ready for you to explore with a pontoon, two canoes and swim dock.