Indianola, Iowa — Santa isn’t driving a sleigh this year in Indianola, Iowa — and instead of gifts, he’s bringing joy and light, decorating every home in his neighborhood for the upcoming holiday season.
John Reichart, 74, loves Christmas, but there’s something else he loves more: his wife of 53 years, Joan. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease four years ago and since then, the Marine veteran has made it his mission to continue creating his memories.
“Without my wife, I don’t know if I would have done it,” Reichart said. “But she wanted Christmas, so I would give it to her. I would do anything to make her happy.”
There are now plenty of extra staff on his project, helping to set up lights, decorations and more. A constant stream of admirers also come to take in the holiday cheer.
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“I think the whole neighborhood feels very lucky to have him in this neighborhood,” one neighbor said.
“It’s moving,” added one spectator. “That’s what Christmas is all about.”
Reichart said he doesn’t see himself stopping the tradition now.
“As long as she’s okay,” he said. “And even if she succeeds, I will do it in her memory for as long as I can.”
Joan said she loved the holiday spirit her husband brought to the neighborhood.
“I didn’t know what to think,” Joan said. “But I’m glad he did it. I love him.”
To thank Reichart and celebrate Jeanne, her neighbors set up a post office box to receive Christmas cards. They will give the cards to Reichart to read to his wife.
CBS News invites viewers to send cards. To send a card to Reicharts, send it to this post office box:
John Reichart
C/O Frank Ewurs
PO Box 133
Indianola, IA, 50125
Nancy Cordes
