Candas Schouvieller, CEO/Administrator
Hope. Have you ever been in the position where you were cautiously optimistic with hope for a different future? At Oak Hills, we have so much to be grateful for and hopeful for actual systemic change to care for our community for generations to come. Sometimes we have to intentionally find joy so we can shift from the years of survival to believe in the hope we feel.
We hope you were able to join us for our Ice Cream Social this year! That event and the activities surrounding it were joy starters for the staff and residents at Oak Hills. In May, a generous donor allowed us to celebrate nursing home week with special treats and events for our staff. It was so appreciated we did it again June 12th-16th with treats, a staff cook-off, ice cream social and ended the week with an employee appreciate event. Our staff played bingo and you could hear a pin drop for how much everyone was present and enjoying the evening!
Our residents love the ice cream social! We had every resident except for 2 outside for nearly 2 hours enjoying the music of the New Ulm Municipal Band, visiting with family members who could attend and enjoying a summer evening. Volunteers, Board members and staff worked extra hard in the summer heat to make it happen and we are so grateful! We served 175 brats, 150 hot dogs, 3 cases of chips, 10 – 3-gallon containers of ice cream (yep, 30 gallons!), 6 watermelons and 8 cases of water to those families and community members who attended. Our residents ate earlier to accommodate their needs. The event was a free will donation largely to cover the expenses with a little extra for next year.
The most important part of that evening was the joy it brought everyone who attended. Suddenly we related to each other a little kinder and gentler. Events like the classic car roll-in, quilt show and being part of Dreams Come True just keep the good feelings moving! What a blessing to see and feel joy at Oak Hills again!
Thank you for helping us return to joy! Let’s help each other find their joy when life gets hard. Simply reflecting on one thing you are grateful for and asking the person next to you what they are grateful for will help us all relate a little kinder and gentler to each other.
Dreams Come True!
Congratulations to the Jones’ and Balbach’s on their 70th wedding anniversaries. Thank you to 100 Women Who Care for making their Dreams Come True! We also played wedding bingo and reminisced about weddings in June!
Staff Celebrate Years of Service In June
Michelle Aspelund, TMA/RNA, celebrated 11 years with Oak Hills Living Center. Michelle works primarily days on Meadowview. She knows her residents well and treats them like family. She quietly and diligently goes about her day, making connections with residents, and staying on top of their needs. She is quick to jump in and help with whatever is needed. Thank you Michelle. for your dedication and commitment to Oak Hills!
July Employee Anniversaries
| NAME | HIRE YEAR |
| Kara Fluegge | 2004 |
| Mandi Malcolm | 2007 |
| Jeremy Broste | 2014 |
| Bailey Peterson | 2014 |
| Jacob Hogan | 2015 |
| Hallie Hagen | 2015 |
| Stephanie Sievert | 2016 |
| Allison Becker | 2016 |
| Katelyn Suess | 2017 |
| Kathleen Eckstrand | 2017 |
| Jillian Meyer | 2017 |
| Kaylyn Broste | 2018 |
| Calleigh Buechner | 2019 |
| Joey Kotten | 2021 |
| Megan Gauert | 2022 |
| Abby Havemeier | 2022 |
| Katie Miller | 2022 |
Employee of the Month
Alyssa Eckstein works afternoons and overnights as a nurse’s aide. She has been nominated by her co-workers because she always works hard, is helpful and kind. She is great with our residents and genuinely cares so much. She is a fabulous worker, goes above and beyond for the residents. Congratulations, Alyssa!
Staff Shout Outs for June!
Ice Cream Social, Classic Cars and Quilt Show!
Support Oak Hills!
Are you a Thrivent member?
Remember Oak Hills Memorial Foundation in your choice dollar giving.
Golf – Sponsor- Volunteer! Contact Wendy Broderson at 507-233-0851 or [email protected]