ABOUT US
The Lone Oak Farm Story
House & Site History
The Lone Oak Farm site was built in 1906, and in 1951 became home to Ralph and Helen Puton, grandparents of Melissa Oberlander (venue partner). Ralph and Helen farmed at their home, but also enjoyed using it to entertain their family and friends with lavish gatherings and events. No matter the occasion or the season, the farm encapsulated that perfect “cozy” aesthetic and never failed to bring everyone together through food, laughter, and beautiful scenery in nature.
In 2016, Helen and Ralph moved away and the farmstead sat dormant, patiently awaiting its next adventure.
Lone Oak Venue History
In 2019, friends Teresa and Melissa discussed Teresa’s dream of owning a wedding venue. Their mutual love of weddings, nature and coordinating events resulted in the beginning of a partnership. They dreamt of finding a suitable farmstead with an existing barn and enough space to build a new barn; and so, the search for the perfect location began…
After a long and tedious search, the two had the idea to turn Ralph and Helen’s farmstead into a wedding venue. It all seemed meant to be - the beautiful scenery, existing farmhouse and space to build a new barn was exactly what they’d been looking for all along - and in November of 2020, Teresa and Melissa purchased the property.
The existing farmhouse is currently being remodeled to become the bridal suite as well as guest rooms. The mezzanine in the new barn will become the groom's suite.
Lone Oak Farm was named in honor of the only oak tree on the property surrounded by mature cottonwood trees. The oak tree was gifted to Helen by Mike Smith, a friend all her life. The oak tree can be admired off the sun porch of the farmhouse.
Take a walk with me;
the rest is yet to be.
Our Team
MELISSA OBERLANDER
Owner, Venue Management
Lone Oak Farm brings me peace. To me, this is more than just a venue - it’s a place where family and friends come together to celebrate life’s most memorable moments. It’s a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of life to enjoy wide open spaces, sunrises and sunsets (what I enjoy most!), nature and fresh air. This is why I chose to move across the road 10 years ago, so I can enjoy all of this daily. I want to share this hidden gem with others so they can experience God’s country with their own friends and family.
I am a native of Ayr, North Dakota, and always knew my roots would call me home. With my family's history in the area, my husband and I knew the quiet rural area near Lone Oak would be the perfect place to raise our family.
After graduating with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Social Work from University of North Dakota, Jay (my high school sweetheart) and I lived in Horace for 8 years until moving to Ayr. We now have two teenage boys, Gavin and Ian.
My passions include helping others, volunteering at church and in the community, gardening, baking, traveling, spending time with family at the lake and coordinating events.
I can sincerely say Lone Oak is unlike any other place in the area. There are gorgeous century-old cottonwoods, over a mile of walking paths through North Dakota’s unique prairie grasses, a rolling landscape showcasing amazing sunsets bursting with color… the list goes on. This place never fails to leave me in awe of its beauty and give me a sense of peace and calm that I can’t wait for others to enjoy!
Ever since I can remember I wanted to do my own thing and work for myself, but after going to two friends’ weddings in 2018 - one at the Firefly Event Barn in Nevis, Minnesota and the other at Draxton’s Barn in Northwood, North Dakota - I truly felt that this is what I was meant to do. Both events were magical, personal, beautiful and unique in showcasing the momentous event I had the privilege to share with each of my friends. It may sound cliché to say, but these events seriously changed my life.
After connecting with Melissa about my vision, we began to look for the perfect property. As we were looking, Melissa’s Dad kept asking why we were looking for properties and suggested we use Melissa’s grandparents’ farm. Finding a farm property in Cass County is nearly impossible, so we thought we should take a look - from then on out, our dream unfolded into a beautiful reality.
In my professional career as a registered nurse I’ve had the opportunity to serve others during significant life events: births, surgeries, oncology diagnoses and end of life. I feel honored to provide a continuum of this service during weddings, reunions, retreats, graduations and feel privileged that others trust us and Lone Oak to make their event a “once in a lifetime” experience.
My husband John and I live in Casselton with our two daughters, Makelle and Ava. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Nursing and a Masters of Science Degree in Leadership. Being from Arthur, North Dakota, I was honored to have my personal wedding at one of North Dakota most famous barns, Johnson’s Barn, and I hope in the future people that choose Lone Oak will also share the love of the environment as I did my own.
TERESA GULLESON
Owner, Venue Management
