Part 4 of 4      1963 - Present

Bud and Bea also added a home for themselves, which included three guestrooms with their own balconies overlooking White Lake (left). In 1963, Lakeside Inn consisted of 40 lodging units and dining facilities for 120 people. The Groessls and their staff welcomed sun and water lovers from Chicago, Dayton, Toledo, Detroit, Indianapolis and St. Louis. At that time local people also came into the dining room for meals. In addition, the Groessls started developing the convention business. Increasingly, business people would come in the spring and fall when the resort business was not into full swing. Louis Groessl died at age 74 in 1960. Ann Groessl lived until she was 75 when she died in 1962 after a lingering illness. Ann Groessl left four brothers and one sister. In 1942, Bud and Bea had their only child, a son, Jack. With the passing of Louis and Ann in the 1960's, Jack became more involved in the family business. He, like many children of resort operators, worked at the Inn from the time he was a small child. In 1964, Jack married Patricia Riegler who at that time was teaching school. Bea and Bud thought a teacher was a good choice for Jack to marry as she “had summers off and could help out.”

During the 1960's and to the mid-1970's, the Inn continued as a Modified American Plan Resort. By this time some families were third and fourth generation guests of the Inn. Each year families would reserve their week or two week block for the following year.

In 1977 the rates for lodging, dinners and breakfasts for one week would range from $60.00 to $198.00 per person. Jack and Patti operated the business with Bea and Bud for many years. The restaurant business steadily increased with many more local people coming to Lakeside Inn for dinners and breakfasts.

In 1965 the Groessls received a liquor license which further increased the dining business. It was during this time that the resort changed from a Modified American Plan to the European Plan. The European Plan was a lodging only plan with meals available, but charged separately. The dining room was a busy place in the 1970's. The menu for the summer of 1972 included a variety of beef and seafood dishes. The kitchen was completely remodeled and enlarged in 1976. A new dining room was also added. The dining capacity increased to 150 people in the main dining room overlooking White Lake and 80 people in the second dining which overlooks the pool and tennis court. This renovation reflected the increasing business in serving meals and enabled Lakeside Inn to host more private parties and groups.

In 1977, Bea and Bud retired (semi) and Jack and Patti took over. Both Bud and Bea continued their involvement in the Inn but on a more limited basis. Jack and Patti had two children, Amy born in 1969, and Todd, born in 1971 (see picture). Both children worked at the Inn from the time they were very young, starting with jobs picking up papers and trash around the resort grounds.

Of course, both Amy and Todd had their stints with washing dishes, greeting guests, cleaning and general "to do" jobs. They were both enthusiastic about the operation of the resort. Even at age 5, Todd told his kindergarten teacher he wanted to go in the resort business. Amy chose a different direction and became a social worker in Chicago. Todd went into business with his father. Jack Groessl, who was now divorced, married Brenda Kruzel in 1988. Jack operated the Inn with the help of long term manager, Linnea O'Connell. Jack Groessl continued resort improvements. He added more landscaping, a large shop/storage building, a game room, made the pool area larger, and put fountains around the Inn. And, he added more variety to the dinner and breakfast menus. In 1990, Bea Groessl died of cancer. She was an integral part of Lakeside Inn. Many guests and friends were saddened by her death as they knew and appreciated her hard work, her genuine love of people, and her commitment to her family and the Inn. In 1995, Bud died. Both Bud and Bea were missed greatly by those who knew them as they contributed much to the success of Lakeside Inn. They were active members in the West Michigan Tourist Association and were always looking for ways to improve the business.

In the meantime, Todd Groessl graduated in 1993 from Valparaiso University with a degree in Business Administration. At that time Todd became more active in the management of the Inn. In 1998, Jack retired (but still continues to be involved in the Inn's day to day operation) and Todd became the fourth generation Groessl to own and operate Lakeside Inn. In 1999, Todd married Jodi Fulbright, a special education teacher from Rockford, MI. Todd continues the family tradition of the Groessl's to operate the resort. He also practices great grandmother Ann Groessl's belief in running a resort - by selling health, which is good food; comfort, which is clean, good beds; and selling happiness, which means being kind to all and thinking, "What can I do to make others happy?"

At Lakeside Inn the past is woven into the present. Much of the original wicker furniture continues to be used in the lobbies of the main lodge (see picture). Framed photographs are displayed throughout the lodge relating the chronological history of the Inn. Remnants of the logging days, complete with logs and log markings, are exhibited on the walls. Additionally, pictures of the old resorts of White Lake and surrounding areas are displayed. For history buffs a visit to Lakeside Inn is a must.

Lodging is available from May through October. The restaurant is open on a daily basis in the summer and on a limited basis in the spring and fall.

Todd Groessl todd@lakesideinn.net 5700 N. Scenic Dr Whitehall, MI 49461 Phone: (888) 442-3304  (231) 893-8315 Fax: (231) 893-1368