Hi! My name is Peter Hatlestad. I’d like to share a little about myself with you. My first lawn mowing job was during the summer of 1978. I mowed Mr. Clarence Peebles’ yard. Once a week I would ride my bike to his house pulling our Toro mower behind me. On each visit, Mr. Peebles hired me to take care of minor landscaping. I pulled weeds, raked leaves, picked up sticks, etc. I turned eleven years old that summer and learned valuable life lessons of service and stewardship.

I am now fifty-six years old. I am looking forward to a new adventure and opportunity by owning Sontag Home Services. I recently finished twenty-five and a half years at Covenant Harbor in Lake Geneva as the Snake Road Adventure Center Director. I have spent most of my career in the experiential/adventure education field focusing on team building, ropes courses, outdoor education, and wilderness programs. This field required a level of logistical and relational skills to provide meaningful learning experiences and maintain safety. My time at Covenant Harbor has provided me the time to know and become familiar with many of the services and people in the area.

I am married to Sarah, my best friend. We have been married for thirty-two years and have two grown daughters, Hannah (28) and Grace (26). Hannah has been married for six years to Johnny Elliott who is a youth pastor in Downers Grove, Illinois. They have one daughter, Elizabeth (18 months), and are expecting their second child in February 2022. Grace married Christian Pedro in December of 2020. Christian is a Navy rescue swimmer. Grace sells pet insurance for Trupanion and is in nursing school.
Grace and Christian live in Norfolk, Virginia.

Sarah has her BS in Elementary Education. She also has experience cleaning several houses in the Lake Geneva area. She is an excellent decorator and organizer. She helps keep me grounded and organized.

Sarah and I have known Mike and Cindy Sontag for many years through our church, Calvary Community Church in Williams Bay. Mike and I have served on several church boards together. The seed of interest in Sontag Home Services began over a conversation about five years ago at one of those board meetings. I told Mike that if he was interested in selling the business to let me know. Mike contacted me in February 2021 and after a few breakfast meetings and ride-alongs, we began to discuss purchase
details for SHS.

I gave my notice to Covenant Harbor in April and began shadowing Mike two or three days a week. November 1st I began working with Mike full time, immersing myself in the route and business. We will be working in tandem over the course of the next year to avoid dropping any level of service. I am not Mike, nor will I be perfect, but I will make every effort to serve well and steward your trust with integrity. I look forward to working with you as a steward, facilitator, and guardian of your property. Mike and I have been committed to making sure the transition is seamless. I hope to maintain the trust you have given to Mike and Cindy and Mike’s brothers over the years.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to meet me. I am happy to jump on a Zoom call if that is best. I look forward to serving you in the coming months and years. Thank you!

Peter & Sarah Hatlestad