Forever Frohna: Russ and Jenny Krull found their dream home in Perry County

Russ and Jenny Krull had been admiring their Frohna, Missouri, house for about two years before they actually bought it. Though another buyer already had a contract on it, the Krulls couldn't help peeking in the windows and entertaining the idea of living there with their young family.

But life moved on, other family obligations called, and the Krulls put the search for their forever home on hold. When they resumed their search a couple years later, the first property they found was that same house in Frohna, now up for sale. They knew it was meant to be.

The Krull home in Frohna, Missouri. (Laura Simon)

They called the real estate agent, packed up their belongings in St. Louis, and moved to their dream home in Frohna. That was 10 years ago.

Of course, the dream was not without its nightmares. The Krulls admit the condition of the home was "very rough." The wood floors were unfinished, the kitchen sink was supported by two-by-fours, there were no window screens, the pipes were leaking, the paint was peeling, the outside of the house was four different colors, it was infested with bugs and other critters -- the list went on.

"Every one of our friends told us we were crazy!" Jenny says. "But we knew it was where we were meant to be. The community is wonderful, the surrounding area is gorgeous and we plan to be here in this home until we are no longer on this earth."

The Krulls did all the repairs and renovations themselves.

The Krull home in Frohna, Missouri. (Laura Simon)

"We haven't gotten rid of anything, but we did repurpose some things," says Jenny. For example, they removed a fireplace from the living room, but kept the mantle to use as a shelf. Since there was no kitchen to speak of when they moved in, they moved it to the other side of the main hall and built their master bedroom where the kitchen used to be.

And now, an uncle who was one of the naysayers at the beginning of their adventure admits, "I never thought it would look like this."

In addition to the master bedroom, the house has two bathrooms, a renovated attic, a studio/office space, and three bedrooms for 14-year-old Collin and 16-year-old twins Amanda and Mackensie. Nicholas, age 22, lives nearby and visits often with his daughter, a rosy-cheeked toddler named Sienna.

The Krull home in Frohna, Missouri. (Laura Simon)

"We didn't know a soul when we came here," says Russ, but the family made fast friends with their neighbors. "They've been a big help in getting us acquainted," he says.

The Krulls have become known locally for hosting a Christmas open house each year. Jenny loves to decorate for holidays, especially Christmas, so each year, they invite the community to stop by for a candlelight tour of their home all decked out for the holidays.

"It's been a labor of love on a unique home that has a very long history," says Jenny -- the house was built more than 100 years ago by the owners of the Frohna Flouring Mill. "We're going to be here forever," she adds. "We're never going to live anywhere else."

View a photo gallery of the Krull home at http://www.semissourian.com/gallery/23528/