Gray House Motel

08/27/2026

A Heartfelt Thank You ❤️

After 18 amazing years, it is time for us to say goodbye to Gray House Motel and begin a new chapter.

We want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you who has supported us along the way. Thank you for staying with us, recommending us to your family and friends, supporting our business, and allowing us to be a small part of your lives.

We want to thank our staff, current and past, for all your help. You have been a dynamic asset to us and please know we appreciate each of you.

Our most heartfelt thank you goes to our family. Allison and Aaron, you have helped with everything along the way. You made beds, helped guests, cleaned and did all the jobs! We did it all as a family and cannot thank you enough for all you helped with as a motel family! We all did it together! Thank you to our extended family who were often there to help on holidays or just when we needed you the most. We could not have done it without all of you!

When we first began this journey 18 years ago, we were a young family taking on a new adventure. Over the years, Gray House Motel became so much more than a business. It became a place where we made countless memories, met incredible people, and formed friendships that will last a lifetime. Many of our guests became friends, and some even became like extended family.

We are truly grateful for every conversation, every visit, every familiar face, and every new guest who walked through our doors. Your support is what allowed us to do what we loved for so many years.

We are also excited to pass the reins to the Bob and Imelda Cerney family. We know they will take great care of Gray House Motel and of all the families, friends, and business travelers who visit Gregory. We wish them nothing but the very best as they begin this new chapter!

Saying goodbye is bittersweet, but we leave with full hearts and so many wonderful memories.

Thank you doesn't seem like enough, but please know how deeply grateful and appreciative we are for each and every one of you. ❤️

With heartfelt thanks,
Troy and Paula Sundquist
The Gray House Motel Family

01/26/2026

We have been talking amongst ourselves about other motel memories over the years. We have had guests who have stepped up and helped us out when they certainly had no need to do so. We had a hunting group from Florida who found it to be much colder than expected when they arrived. They went to the store and bought them nearly out of warm clothes. Then a snow storm set in and they were bored. Troy was working on a rental house and they all chose to go help drywall rather than be bored. Fun stories were shared.

When the big hail storm hit, once it stopped, we went out to check on things only to find a crew in town working, was shoveling the hail off the sidewalks and offered to help with boarding up windows, etc. Again, they didn't need to do so but we appreciated their great help.

On a whole other note, we remember the first opening weekend. There was an older gentleman in a group. He spent more time relaxing at the motel while the other members of the group did whatever they found for entertainment. We had friends in town from Omaha to help out and see what it was all about. We were out making rounds and lost Matt - our friend from Omaha- when we found him, he and this older hunter were hanging out in his room eating cheese then setting outside for a cigar. I love how everyone has always been so friendly and fun!

We have shared meals and snacks/drinks with so many of our guests whether they were long-time friends, construction crews working in town, REA employees staying in town to man the headquarters during a storm, or new friends we made along the way. We have been blessed beyond reason with fellowship and friendship.

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01/21/2026

Today I am thinking about our hunters.

Our first hunting season when a bus pulled in when their accommodations didnt work out and we could fit them in for a couple days. One of them asked to have his sweatshirt- fresh out of his suitcase- laundered so he could pay our daughter for her work.

Opening weekend could begin when the kids saw the “Wild Thornberry” mobile show up.

Our friends from Iowa area arrived and we got to meet and now catch up with new friends.

Our Colorado and Alaska bunch who truly have become amazing friends. These friends now come early when they can to spend a day visiting. One came for a week one summer looking for a place to buy to maybe move here. It was great to meet his wife who I had spoken to on the phone. This group contacted us during Covid time to make sure we were doing okay.

Ron with his “sled dogs.” They weren’t -they were guide dogs in a trailer- but that was our nickname. He was a kind man who stopped in whenever he was in the area.

Our Georgia group who comes every year and has joined us for Thanksgiving.

These are just a few but we are truly the ones who are blessed with all these people and connections.

01/20/2026

As I think back further over the days we have owned the motel, some other people come to mind....

The young couple moving from Texas back to Canada who got snowed in with their U-haul. I think they were with us for 3 or 4 days. They spent time playing games, cards and going bowling with us. We enjoyed meals together and then sent our "new" kids back on their way. I hope they are doing well and are still living their dreams.

The newlywed couple who got snowed in around Christmas a couple years ago when their semi froze up and couldn't get it thawed for days. They also spent days playing cards and games with us. They enjoyed Christmas Eve church with us and a Christmas Eve meal. We saw them off on Christmas Day, another set of "new" kids we wished well.

A number of snow storms when people were literally snowed into their rooms. We delivered chili, rolls, snacks, and brownies to them over the snowdrifts and through the cracked doors when it was blowing too hard to keep the parking lot cleaned out.

I enjoy feeding people, obviously, but we love to hear people's stories. Every life is unique and we are blessed to be any little part of their journey.

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01/19/2026

Yesterday at church, our sermon made me stop and really consider what blessings the motel has brought us in our life. Yes, it is for sale, yes we are ready for a change. That does not negate the blessings our guests have brought to us. From our GA teacher friends who were camping their way across the country and needed a room to shower and rest and joined us for dinner and amazing conversation and followed with the most touching thank you gift of a book called Dinner with a Perfect Stranger. Guests we will never forget. Thank you for sharing in our life more than our business.

Rather than make this miles long, I’ll try to share more every few days or so. It is a time of reflection and sharing our blessings and saying thank you.

01/02/2026

01/01/2026

We hope 2026 finds you with health and happiness. Maybe a new business venture 😜! We appreciate knowing you all and look forward to seeing you again.

12/19/2025

People have been asking if we are open. With the motel for sale I guess it brings up questions. We are indeed open. We would love to help with your overnight lodging needs. We have a couple rooms being updated currently but have all the others open and available. Call us at 605 835-8479 to book a stay. Come on out to Gorilla country and visit.

12/04/2025

We are offering a limited time winter sale on booking for January and February. Call us at 605 835-8479! Now is the time to come visit family and friends with a reduced stay price. We are offering rooms with two options;

1. $89 plus tax per night, fully cancellable and refundable with our normal 24 hour cancellation policy.

2. $69 plus tax per night, non-cancellable or refundable, will be charged at time of making the reservation.

Offer works on reservations for January and February, 2026. Offer expires December 20, 2025.

Ask for our “Winter Sale” rate when calling for a reservation at 605 835-8479.

All rooms are non-smoking and pet free. Give us a call with any questions or to make a stay reservation. Please share with others!

Happy Holidays!

Planning a trip to Gregory, South Dakota? Then consider staying at a clean, comfortable and modern motel, right on hiway 18.

11/27/2025

We are beyond thankful for the years of friendship and business with our guests. Enjoy the day and be thankful.