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Pam, who is semi-retired from Taylor
by any objective measure. And
Oil Company, and husband Steve, a
as we make our way through the
retired CPA, live in a sprawling five-
room, it becomes clear that despite
bedroom 1934 farmhouse situated
the enormity of the collection, each
on six acres in south Sioux Falls. The
piece was hand selected by Pam
home was built by a local doctor at a
and Steve for very specific reasons.
time when 57th Street was considered
The couple is able to recount the
so far out, his wife flatly refused to
backstory of each, giving them an air
move there, only retreating to the
of museum curators, as opposed to
property in the summertime. However,
casual collectors. The Santa Clauses
as the town began migrating south,
in the Jansas' collection have been
her view softened and she finally made
procured during their extensive travels
it her full-time residence.
throughout the U.S. and world.
Next, it was owned by Pam’s in-laws,
One, fashioned from river rock, was
Jess and Alice Taylor. Pam and first
purchased in Gatlinburg, Tenn. after
husband Tom bought the home in
the owners’ store burned down. A
1978. 26 years ago, Pam and Steve
white buffalo-riding version, purchased
were married and have continued to
in Arizona, sits next to the red couch.
make the house a gathering place for
A life-size papier mâché Santa was
their combined five children and 10
discovered by Steve decades ago at a
grandchildren.
Ben Franklin store. Another, dressed in
Stepping into the red and white wallpapered entryway of the Jansas home, their affinity for the season is already apparent. Near the door stands a small Christmas tree adorned with photos of their grandkids. Above
mountain climbing gear, was created by a Texas artisan. The Jansas have a second Santa by the same craftsman, this one perched in a whimsical zeppelin, hanging in their bay window. A large square glass-topped
the tree is a framed cross-stitch
coffee table is filled with editions
featuring several images of Santa
of The Night Before Christmas. Pam
Claus. Atop a chest of drawers is an
pulled out one of her favorites.
elaborately carved and painted Santa display purchased on a trip to North Carolina. “We went into a shop that was selling Scottish sweaters and stuff, and in the back of the shop there were all of these hand-carved Santas,” recalled Pam. “The woman who owned the shop would fly to Russia and go to this little village where these teachers were making these items. She would bring them back and sell them. I said, ‘Wow, you could get more money for this,’ and she said, ‘They need the money desperately, so I want a quick turnover.’” Entering the living room, the sheer number of Santas and other pieces of Christmas memorabilia is astonishing
“This one I like, because it’s really old and it says 'Santa and his 10 reindeer.'
You know
that Thomas Nast was the originator
of this robust Santa Claus,” she said, pointing to an illustration. “He’s the one who made him fat. He used to be skinny. Kris Kringle originated in Turkey, actually. He is named after a priest over there that gave food and clothing to the poor.”