Norco man builds giant windmill in yard as present to wife

NORCO, Calif (KABC) -- It took Dutch immigrants Theo and Jeanne Zoetemelk about four years to get the permits, but they have finally built a 40-foot windmill at their Norco home.

Years ago Theo promised his wife he would build her a windmill for her garden. She was grateful for the scale model - and quite surprised when he told her he was planning a full-size version.

With some help from friends, the retired boat builder has finally put up the last sail on the 50th wedding anniversary present.

The windmill has metal gears and a generator inside. When fully operational, he says it will produce eight kilowatts of electricity.