Fall 2009 - Presbyterian Homes & Services

PRESBYTERIAN HOMES & SERVICES 

fall 2009 

Volunteers: 

The heart and soul of 

Presbyterian Homes & Services

Dear Friends of Presbyterian Homes & Services, 

Over the years, Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) has been honored with a vast 

array of talented, giving, dedicated volunteers who have helped make us what we 

are today. It has been pointed out frequently that PHS would not exist without 

the work of volunteers. What began a half century ago with a courageous group 

of volunteers who recognized a need and were given a vision, has evolved into 

a multi-faceted organization providing programs and services to older adults 

throughout a three-state area. Such an achievement would not have been possible 

without those earliest volunteers who were true to the vision and worked tirelessly 

to achieve excellence in service to older adults. They established the value of service 

that defines PHS today. 

What is the true value of volunteers? Is the concept of value purely monetary, 

a measurement of financial performance, or is it something less tangible and harder 

to define? It is nearly impossible to quantify the contribution of our volunteers. 

They offer companionship to our residents, kindness to families, and support to 

staff. They organize events, answer telephones, greet newcomers, play music, 

make public presentations, and create art. They are teachers, drivers, advocates, 

mentors, writers, cooks, carpenters, gardeners, fundraisers, board members and – 

perhaps most important of all – they have become our friends. Volunteers are the 

heart and soul of PHS, strengthening our Christian culture of service through their 

stewardship of time and talent offered in gifts of compassion, dedication and love. 

This edition of Perspectives celebrates these partners in ministry who accomplish 

extraordinary things in and through our communities. Here you will find what we 

have discovered – that the value of our volunteers is priceless. All we can say, and 

we can’t say it enough, is “thank you”. 

Their stories also are invitations to join them. Reading about their experiences 

and blessings is a clarion call to rededicate our time and talent to something 

bigger than ourselves. Together we can make a difference in the world, one 

person at a time. 

AUSTIN CHAPMAN 

BOARD CHAIR 


DANIEL A. LINDH 

PRESIDENT & CEO 

PRESBYTERIAN HOMES & SERVICES

Presbyterian Homes & Services is a non-profit 

organization with communities in Minnesota, 

Wisconsin and Iowa. PHS relies on the 

generosity of donors to provide high quality 

services to older adults. 

EDITORIAL STAFF 

Editor 

Cynthia Ray 

cray@preshomes.org 

8 

 

Meet Alta Mae 

Olien and Sister Ella 

Germain, Deerfield 

residents who have 

been blessed by its 

Prayer Shawl Ministry. 

Photographers 

Bill Buell 

Scott Jacobson 

Gin Wolter 

Contributors 

Ruth Bunch 

Debra Campbell 

Martha Dobratz 

Jean Wilson Greener 

Kay Rehnberg 

Design by Imagewërks 

Perspectives is a publication of 

Presbyterian Homes Foundation 

651-631-6132 

giving@preshomes.org 

Readers are invited to direct questions, 

comments or suggestions about Perspectives 

to the editor. 

4 At a Glance 

News and events of Presbyterian Homes communities 

8 Knit One, Pray One 

A special ministry at The Deerfield wraps people 

in the comfort of hand-made shawls and 

heart-filled prayers. 

11 Dinner Served with a Side of Kindness 

Creative Senior Dining volunteers serve and deliver 

hot meals and warm smiles to low-income seniors. 

14 A New Course for a One Room School 

Resident volunteers of Boutwells Landing restore 

the old McKean School to be a living museum and 

learning center. 

17 Abiding in Faith, Hope and Love 

Silence speaks volumes as Abiders attend to dying 

residents and their families. 

 

On the cover: A prayer shawl creates 

a special bond between Deerfield 

residents Alta Mae Olien (left) and 

Ella Germain. See story, page 8. 

(Photo: Bill Buell) 

20 Caught in the Act (of caring) - Volunteer Profiles 

22 2008 Summary of Volunteer Activity 

23 On the Horizon - New Project Updates 

24 Donor Profiles - Compassion and good 

planning motivate two supporters of 

Presbyterian Homes Foundation. 

26 The Philanthropic Perspective 

27 Fresh Words Express an Enduring Commitment - 

A new statement of PHS mission, vision, and values 

CORRECTIONS: SPRING 2009 

Income from Endowment Investments, appearing in the 2008 annual report, 

was in error. The correct amount is ($14,340). The name of Bruce Nelson 

incorrectly appeared as one remembered under Gifts in Memory. Mr. Nelson 

is a donor, not deceased. We regret these errors. 

perspectives 3

At a Glance 

News and Events of PHS Communities 

i 

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Home Connections 

In response to the growing challenges 

related to selling a home, Presbyterian 

Homes & Services (PHS) has developed 

Home Connections Realty and Relocation 

for Seniors. The other partners in the 

program are Coldwell Banker Burnet and 

Gentle Transitions, two companies with 

solid, long-standing reputations. 

Highlights of Home Connections include 

coordination of services by a move 

manager who is committed to delivering 

personal, attentive service; and real 

estate agents chosen specifically for their 

professionalism and expertise in marketing 

and selling homes. Home Connections is 

designed to assist older adults who want 

to move, so that they can make informed 

decisions and have the peace of mind 

and confidence towards accomplishing 

their goals. Call 651-631-6100 for more 

information about Home Connections. 

WINGS Wellness Centers 

Supported by $150,000 in gifts to the 

Wellness Fund, along with site-based 

appeals for donations, WINGS wellness 

centers are now open in several PHS 

communities. 

The centers are equipped with speciallychosen 

exercise equipment and feature 

the services of a highly trained wellness 

i 

director. Many also feature Wii 

interactive video games for virtual tennis, 

golf, boxing, bowling, and other highenergy 

activities. 

PHS is equipping wellness/fitness space 

for our residents, in the belief that 

safe, enjoyable and convenient fitness 

opportunities are important to their health 

and well-being. 

Despite their immense value, wellness 

activities are not reimbursable by 

government or private insurance. 

Philanthropic support is vital to meet 

the $2.5 million goal. With generous 

donor support, fitness centers in all PHS 

communities will help improve overall 

health, reduce number and length of 

hospitalizations, decrease falls, and 

increase quality of life for residents. 

Stonecrest Writers Workshop 

Since early 2009, 12-15 residents of 

Stonecrest have been meeting twice 

monthly to inspire and share with each 

other as writers. The group enjoys 

working on various personal projects 

while exploring different expressions of 

writing. A community suggestion basket 

provides subject ideas, but most writers 

draw on their own life experiences such as 

childhood memories, exploits of military 

service, decades of correspondence with 

overseas pen pals, and school adventures. 

For some, their writings serve as the 

base for family histories. Others aspire to 

publish their work as books. All find that 

sharing with fellow writers in the group is 

an opportunity to observe and learn from 

the reaction and views of other writers to 

their efforts. 

4 

FALL 2009

The Foundation Site Advisory Board 

volunteers at Waverly Gardens are giving 

excellent leadership to the campaign. 

Members are Chuck Dietz, Carolyn Dosser, 

Chet and Marge Eklund, Don Engle, 

Myrna Fallon, Les and Joan Krogh, 

Margaret Meyers, Hilmer Nelson, and 

Gene and Leona Olson. 

i 

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Arden Hills Shop Sells... 

and Gives Special Gifts 

Carriage Gifts, the volunteer-staffed 

shop located in Presbyterian Homes of 

Arden Hills Village Square, offers more 

than a favorite community destination 

for residents, family members and staff. 

This year’s entire proceeds of $13,000 

contributed towards enhancing residents’ 

lives. Purchases made with past years’ 

earnings include a pontoon boat, a 

sound system for the Village Square, 

patio furniture, wheelchair swings and 

maintenance of the aviary. Carriage Gifts 

carries women’s clothing and accessories, 

decorative housewares, and inspirational, 

seasonal and children’s items. The shop 

will be decked out soon for its annual Fall 

into Christmas Showcase, November 6-7. 

The shop is open to the public. 

Waverly Gardens Chaplaincy 

Endowment Campaign 

The Waverly Gardens community has 

gifted $847,325 towards the goal of 

$1.5 million for its Chaplaincy Endowment. 

The endowment will fund a full-time 

chaplain, provide spiritual support for 

residents of all faiths, and ensure the 

long-term continuity of the spiritual care 

program during uncertain economic times. 

Several donors chose to assign a portion 

of their entrance deposit to the 

endowment, thus providing a future gift 

that will be available when they move out 

of their apartments. They are currently 

recognized for their gifts as Triangle of 

Caring Friends members. 

i 

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To make a gift, contact Kent Osterman, 

Waverly Gardens Development Director, 

at 651-765-4004 or 

kosterman@preshomes.org. 

Boutwells Landing 

Care Center Campaign 

More than 200 residents of Boutwells 

Landing have contributed over $12 million 

in completed gifts and future pledges 

to support the Gables Care Center at 

Boutwells Landing. Opened in February 

2009, the care center is architecturally 

and operationally designed for Liberty 

Personally Designed Living; the hallmark 

model of care at PHS communities. 

Outstanding leadership provided by the 

Foundation Site Advisory Board created 

an environment at Boutwells Landing that 

encouraged an outpouring of generosity 

from residents. Their efforts resulted in the 

largest participation that the Presbyterian 

Homes Foundation has seen in any capital 

campaign. Board members are Sue and 

Collin Alexander, Lyman Geary, Walter 

Hanson, Hugh Madson, John McCallister, 

Sylvia McCormack, Bob Mullen, Ed Reid, 

and Jean White. 

To make a gift, contact Steve Preus, 

Boutwells Landing Development Director, 

at 651-631-6106, or spreus@preshomes.org 

Night to Unite! 

Many PHS communities showed their 

neighborhood spirit on National Night 

Out, August 4, 2009. The Farmstead 

residents welcomed families from the area 

neighborhood and enjoyed music, food 

and games. McKenna Crossing residents 

were joined by members of the Prior Lake 

perspectives 5

At a Glance 

i 

i 

Night to Unite! continued 

fire and police departments. A National 

“Noon” Out event was hosted by Norris 

Square. National Night Out was introduced 

in 1984 by The National Association of 

Town Watch, a non-profit organization 

dedicated to the promotion of communitybased 

crime and drug prevention. Over 40 

million people nationwide participated in 

this year’s event. 

A Stimulus of Generosity 

The Social Concerns Committee of 

Boutwells Landing encouraged residents to 

contribute their $250 economic stimulus 

checks to the local food shelf. The initiative 

followed a presentation by Cara McLain, 

director of the Valley Outreach Food Shelf, 

who spoke of the increasing number of 

households that could no longer afford 

basic daily needs, particularly food. Valley 

Outreach, with cooperation from food 

companies, is able to buy $9 of food for 

every $1 donated. The $2,500 raised by 

Boutwells Landing residents provided 

$22,500 of food to distribute to area needs. 

PHS communities or individuals who are 

interested in contributing their stimulus 

check, organizing a Stimulus Check 

Donation Initiative, or another similar 

project may contact the Foundation 

(651-631-6132). The staff is happy to share 

more about this project, put you in touch 

with its organizers, and provide support 

for new initiatives. 

i 

Chanhassen families facing personal 

emergencies and temporary times of need. 

In addition, the recipients were blessed 

with mittens, hats and scarves that were 

hand-crafted by the knitters. 

Judy Peters, daughter of a SummerWood 

resident and group member Kay Jacome, 

shopped for and delivered the coats. 

They tell of a child who, upon receiving a 

purple and gold Minnesota Vikings coat 

with matching handmade scarf, mittens, 

and hat, jumped up and over a table with 

excitement and gave a big hug to the PROP 

representative. 

The Knitter’s Group also offers a Prayer 

Shawl Ministry and creates blankets for 

premature babies at Children’s Hospital. 

Trekkin’ with the Twins 

Walking Challenge 

The 2009 Wellness Walking Challenge 

followed the Minnesota Twins baseball 

team to all its away games and back to 

the Dome for home-stands. Residents, 

staff and volunteers trekked towards the 

goal of 24,250 miles, including distances 

logged by swimming, using fitness 

equipment, or through any forward-moving 

exercise. Logging 54 miles per resident, 

Beacon Hill won the first place prize in 

the challenge – ten tickets to a Twins 

home game. 

i 

SummerWood Knitters Donate 

Children’s Coats 

31 children were warmed last winter by 

the generosity of the Terrace Thursday 

Knitters’ Group at SummerWood of 

Chanhassen. For the past three years, 

the group has purchased coats for People 

Reaching Out to People (PROP), a nonprofit 

agency serving Eden Prairie and 

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A Liberty Dream Comes True 

Elaine Erickson became the first care 

center resident at Presbyterian Homes 

6 


i 

of Bloomington to experience her 

“Liberty Dream” come true. Elaine has 

a life-long love of seafood, especially 

crab cakes. Debbie Richman, Household 

Coordinator, made arrangements with the 

Oceanaire Seafood Room in downtown 

Minneapolis. On Elaine’s birthday, she 

and Debbie dressed up to go to dinner. 

Restaurant staff and diners sang to Elaine 

on this special occasion. Best of all, Steve 

Uhl, Oceanaire’s General Manager and 

Operating Partner, provided Elaine’s 

dinner, compliments of the house. 

Liberty Dreams are a feature of the Liberty 

Personally Designed Living resident 

care program, which enables residents 

to live the fullest possible lives by 

offering personal choices and creating 

special experiences. 

Shoebox Santas Prepare for 

Operation Christmas Child 

Christmas giving starts early for residents, 

families, and staff of PHS who participate 

in Operation Christmas Child – a project of 

international Christian relief organization 

Samaritan’s Purse. Simple shoeboxes will 

be packed by early November for children 

in need, with items such as toothbrushes, 

soap, pencils, notebooks, small toys, and 

socks. Each box requires a $7 donation 

for shipping. PHS communities will be 

contributing to an international effort 

that will deliver some 8 million 

personalized shoebox gifts to children 

suffering from natural disaster, war, 

terrorism, disease, famine, and poverty. 

Information about the 2009 project, 

including packing lists and volunteer 

opportunities, is available at participating 

PHS communities, or contact Jean 

Wilson Greener, Director of Church and 

Community Relations, at 651-631-6103 or 

jgreener@preshomes.org. 

i 

Celebrating People in Action – 

PHS Communities participate in 

2009 National Volunteer Month 

A variety of events were hosted by PHS 

communities to recognize volunteers 

during National Volunteer Month, April 

2009. The nationwide theme, Celebrating 

People in Action, honored the individuals 

who have dedicated themselves to taking 

action and enriching the culture of service 

that has shaped America. Recognizing the 

valuable contribution our volunteers make, 

PHS events included the St. Andrew’s 

Village Tea, Arden Hills African Safari 

Reception and Luncheon, Bloomington 

Luncheon, Norris Square Reception, and 

many others. National Volunteer Month 

was established in 1974 by former 

President Richard Nixon. 

Volunteers Mary Emde 

(left) and Elaine Hager 

are honored with 

flowers and treats at 

Norris Square. 

 

 

Fred Kuesel and 

Mae Pedersen are 

recognized at the 

Presbyterian Homes 

of Bloomington 

Volunteer Luncheon. 

Virginia Anderson 

(left), volunteer, 

enjoys a cup of tea 

served by Melissa 

Kirchhoff, Campus 

Administrator, St. 

Andrew’s Village. 

 

perspectives 7

Knit One, Pray One 

The Deerfield Prayer Shawl Ministry Volunteers find a way to use 

creativity to reach out to people who need a touch of comfort. 

Creativity and spirituality 

often go hand-in-hand. 

So as their needles flash and click, veteran 

knitters at The Deerfield in New Richmond, 

Wisconsin, are sharing a creative kind of 

spiritual practice and engaging in mission 

together through the Prayer 

Shawl Ministry. 

A prayer shawl is a gift of grace, a reminder 

that someone in need is not alone. 

Knitters at The Deerfield donate their 

time and talent by creating and giving 

away hand-knitted shawls to people who 

need comfort, whether due to illness, 

bereavement, or other 

challenging, stressful 

life circumstance. The 

ministry’s purpose is 

simple and enduring 

– to offer tangible 

evidence of the love and prayers from the 

entire Deerfield community to those for 

whom they are praying. 

The idea was brought to The Deerfield by 

Sister Ella Marie Germain, a retired member 

of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medille, and 

Deerfield resident. Sister Ella had started a 

prayer shawl ministry at St Anne’s Catholic 

Church in Somerset, Wisconsin. Kathy 

Fox, Deerfield staff nurse, and also a St. 

Anne’s member, introduced Sister Ella and 

the ministry to a group of knitters at the 

Deerfield, and to Jackie Waalen, Resident 

Services Director. Both staff and residents 

became, shall we say, hooked. 

“The creation of a prayer shawl, like all 

acts of generosity, enriches the giver as 

much as the recipient.” 

8 


A small group of 5 to 7 Deerfield residents 

meet monthly to knit, enjoying a favorite 

hobby while thinking of and helping others. 

All women, their ages span over three 

decades, and collectively they have over 

250 years experience as knitters. Their 

hands show the signs of many years, but 

their fingers move with nimble dexterity 

to transform balls of yarn into beautiful, 

comforting wraps. 

The meetings include a lot of conversation 

as everyone notes the progress of each 

shawl and shares advice about how to knit 

a new stitch, or recover a dropped one. 

They also enjoy one another’s company 

and encourage each other to keep at it. 

Marilyn Sikorski, who recently moved to 

The Deerfield, appreciates the fellowship 

with her new neighbors. “It’s lonely knitting 

alone,” she admits. “People who knit 

understand how good it is. It can be restful 

and peaceful, and to have good come of it 

– that’s just an added bonus.” 

Between meetings, each continues to 

work on her project. “Every time we pick 

up our needles, we say a prayer” said 

Sister Ella. Meanwhile, several members 

of the Deerfield staff have also created 

and donated shawls. Their efforts have 

been multiplied by shawls made by 

family members of residents and staff, 

and volunteers from the New Richmond 

community. Thanks to several generous 

donors, there is plenty of yarn on hand 

for knitters to use. All together, they have 

blessed and delivered over 45 shawls – 

so far. 

Alta Mae Olien, Deerfield resident, received 

a soft lavender wrap created by Sister Ella. 

Alta Mae was given the shawl in June 2009 

while recovering from major surgery. 

“I feel a lot of love and prayer in it,” she 

said. Alta Mae often wraps the shawl 

around her shoulders or lays it on her lap. 

“Whenever I put it on, I still feel that love.” 

The ministry also has strengthened the 

practice of intercessory prayer throughout 

the community. Often when it is finished, 

the knitters will say a prayer over a shawl, 

not yet knowing who will receive it or why. 

Chaplain Julia Rajtar blesses the shawls 

before they are given away, and when a 

shawl is to be given, the staff prays for 

healing and comfort for the recipient. 

Each shawl is then carefully wrapped and 

placed in a gift bag with a printed prayer 

included (see next page). The prayer 

that accompanies the shawl is especially 

powerful, linking the simple but profound 

act of creating something beautiful with 

caring for someone in need. 

Prayer shawls can be traced back to the 

Judaic tradition from which Christianity 

arose. In 1998, seminary graduates, Janet 

Bristow and Victoria Galo of Hartford, 

Connecticut, started an outreach project 

making prayer shawls. Now, prayer shawl 

ministries can be found in churches and 

faith-based groups all over the country. 

The creation of a prayer shawl, like all 

acts of generosity, enriches the giver as 

much as the recipient. Mildred Livingston, 

Deerfield resident, has knitted for 46 years. 

Now in her early 90’s, she is glad to do 

what she loves with a sense of purpose 

beyond herself. “It fills the need to be 

needed,” she said. “There’s not much I can 

 

Mildred Livingston 

works carefully on a 

prayer shawl. 

perspectives 9

From left: Sister 

Ella Germain, Helen 

Hostart and Marilyn 

Sikorski at the monthly 

Prayer Shawl Ministry 

meeting. 

 

do now, but I still like to be useful.” Mildred 

acknowledges that knowing its purpose 

changes her involvement with the piece 

she’s working on. “There’s an intention 

I put into it, knowing it will bring joy 

and warmth.” 

Together, residents, volunteers and staff 

keep a notebook of all the shawls that have 

been made, and when and to whom each 

has been given. The notebook contains 

thank-you notes from recipients that are 

filled with words of gratitude and hope. 

“We want to keep the history of this 

ministry,” said Waalen. “There are so many 

meaningful stories and experiences from 

both the knitters and the recipients.” She 

tells about several, including shawls given 

to a staff member who had surgery; a local 

doctor whose wife gave birth to twins; a 

resident who, after enduring a terminal 

illness, passed away wrapped in her shawl; 

and an infant who died far too young and 

was buried with the prayer shawl given by 

Deerfield residents and staff. 

This past summer, the knitters learned 

about a PHS Management & Services staff 

member in Roseville, Minnesota who was 

hospitalized with a serious injury. Although 

they had never met the woman, they 

selected a shawl, knit by Sister Ella, to send 

with their deepest prayers, and with the 

request that the Hamline corporate office 

staff also bless and deliver it to her. 

Sister Ella gathered up the chosen shawl 

to be packaged with the printed blessing. 

What began as three skeins of yarn, 

into which she knit prayer, talent, and 

grace, was now the soft wrap resting in 

her creative hands for the last time. It 

would soon be a warm comfort – tangible 

evidence of prayer – in the life of someone 

in need. 

~CYNTHIA RAY 

Prayer Shawl Blessing 

May you feel God’s warm embrace as you wrap this 

prayer shawl around you. 

May you experience the comfort, strength and 

love of God encircling you in good times as 

well as difficult times. 

May you be lifted up in hope, surrounded by joy, 

graced with peace, and wrapped in love. 

...the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever. 

- PSALM 107:1 

10 


Dinner 

Served 

with a Side 

of Kindness 

Volunteers of Creative 

Senior Dining make 

mealtime a pleasure 

for low-income diners. 

Word of mouth is powerful, especially 

when the talk is about good food and great 

service. Word has it that Creative Senior 

Dining and its volunteers are gaining a 

reputation for both by serving warm smiles 

alongside its signature entrees. 

Creative Senior Dining (CSD) is a program 

of Creative Independence, the home 

health care service of Presbyterian Homes 

& Services. By providing nutritious meals 

to mostly low-income seniors 60 years 

of age and over, CSD extends the PHS 

mission of service beyond its sites and into 

the larger community. Meals are delivered 

weekly to clients’ homes or served daily 

at one of 22 congregate lunch sites 

throughout Ramsey, Dakota, Washington 

and Hennepin Counties in Minnesota. 

Ever since CSD 

began in February 2009, 

volunteers have 

been vital to its success. 

 

Neil Manimtim and Trudy von 

Husen enjoy volunteering 

together in the dining room at 

Willowwood Senior Apartments. 

Congregate Dining 

Neil Manimtim, age 15 and Trudy von 

Husen, who is in her mid 80’s, worked side 

by side weekly this past summer as CSD 

volunteers at Willowwood, a HUD senior 

apartment community in White Bear Lake, 

Minnesota. They set up and cleaned up, 

greeted diners, and while serving dessert 

and beverages, also served big helpings 

of cheer. 

Neil, son of Miravic Albindia, CSD dining 

site director at Willowwood, was looking 

for a summer activity; “Something to stay 

busy” he admitted. Neil found that he 

enjoyed working with older adults and 

contributing to the community. “I’ve also 

learned how to set a proper table,” he 

beamed. Neil volunteered up to 16 hours 

weekly. As he gallantly pulled a chair out 

for a diner, it was apparent that she and 

her neighbors enjoyed having him around. 

“We’re going to miss him when school 

starts again,” she lamented. 

perspectives 11

“Volunteers are the friendly 

faces of our program” 

 

Caitlyn Murray helps 

her mother, Maureen, 

deliver meals at the 

Front Street High Rise. 

Across the dining room, Trudy, who lives 

at Willowwood, was at the door greeting 

her neighbors. She gave an equally warm 

welcome to the older adults from the 

surrounding area. Trudy has volunteered 

for 6 years, arriving almost daily at 9 a.m. 

to help create a good dining experience. 

“This is our home,” she explained. 

“Mealtime is about more than just food. 

It’s time to check in and make sure 

everyone’s doing okay.” 

Trudy and Neil are 

two of the five dining 

room volunteers 

at Willowwood. 

Their efforts are 

joined by the nearly 

200 regular volunteers serving CSD’s 

congregate dining sites. 

Home Delivered Meals 

Long before CSD took over the home 

delivered meals program, Maureen Murray, 

a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church 

in St. Paul, Minnesota, was delivering 

meals to residents at the Front Street 

High Rise, a HUD apartment building in 

St. Paul. Maureen organizes volunteers 

from her congregation to deliver every 

Monday morning at Front Street. “It’s 

a great place for us to work,” she said, 

“Service is what church is all about.” 

Bethlehem Church volunteers include 

working age and retired adults, parents, 

and children. Each gives 1 to 2 hours 

monthly. Jerry Stewart, CSD Home 

Delivery Coordinator, brings 20 or more 

large thermal bags filled with a week’s 

worth of frozen meals to the site. The 

volunteers deliver meals personally to 

each client. If needed, they help put 

meals into a client’s freezer. They review 

the menu and ordering process with the 

client for the upcoming month. All the 

while, they are inconspicuously making 

a non-clinical assessment of the client’s 

situation and condition. 

“They’re not only delivering meals,” 

said Bill Hagstrom, CSD manager. 

“They’re checking in on people. If they 

notice something wrong, they let us 

know so we can arrange follow-up with 

the appropriate expertise needed to 

respond.” He appreciates that volunteers 

provide personal attention and build a 

relationship of trust and care. “The people 

are just happy to see us,” smiles Maureen. 

“Sometimes we may be one of the few 

human contacts they get throughout 

the day.” 

Diane Goodale, Front Street resident, 

appreciates Maureen’s visits. Homebound, 

due to chronic pain, she feels the support 

provided by the home-delivery program. 

Diane said that the meals are “like manna 

from heaven,” referring to the biblical 

story of the Exodus, when God provided 

daily portions of food in the wilderness. 

“It’s tasty, it’s enough, and there’s always 

more just when you need it.” The friendly 

care of the volunteers helps as well. “They 

come to the door with a smile,” she said, 

“and never act like they’re doing me a 

favor. I feel totally blessed.” 

Maureen often involves her 10-year-old 

son, Derek, and 6-year-old daughter, 

Caitlyn. “I push the buttons in the elevator 

and carry the big notebook,” Caitlyn 

explained, referring to the white binder 

containing clients’ names, addresses, and 

delivery records. 

Maureen believes that she’s teaching her 

children valuable life-lessons. “They’re 

learning how to treat people right, 

especially those different than us, and 

those who have needs.” Maureen hopes 

that they will grow to understand the 

spiritual and social value of service and 

she enjoys working with them. “This is 

important to us as a family. I’m so happy 

when I serve with them.” 

To learn more about CSD volunteer 

opportunities, contact Bill Hagstrom at 

651-631-6153, or by email at bhagstrom@ 

preshomes.org. Donations designated for 

CSD may be sent to Presbyterian Homes 

Foundation. 

12 


Maureen Murray, 

CSD volunteer 

(right), consults 

with Front Street 

High Rise resident, 

Diane Goodale, odale, 

about the upcoming 

menu. Maureen also 

delivered 5 ready to 

heat meals. 

A Commitment to Quality 

Both volunteers and clients appreciate 

improvements in the meals and the 

service since CSD took over the program. 

“Bill and Jerry have gone out of their way 

to make this doable for us,” said Maureen. 

PHS has made it much easier for her to 

recruit volunteers, especially older adults 

and busy people. 

Trudy at Willowwood echoes these 

sentiments. “The food is good, and I like 

working with Miravic. She’s the best!” 

Trudy and her neighbors say that the 

CSD staff and volunteers make their 

dining room “a happy place to come.” 

Albindia smiles and responds, “I love my 

volunteers.” Hagstrom also returns the 

appreciation. “Volunteers are the friendly 

faces of our program,” he said. “We 

couldn’t do what we’re doing now without 

them, and we need others who are 

willing to join them in order to meet 

the growing demand.” 

CSD delivers about 4,000 meals per 

month to the doors of over 100 clients and 

has served as many as 45,000 meals per 

month in congregate dining rooms. 

As the population ages, Hagstrom expects 

the needs to increase at a dramatic rate. 

He would welcome area companies and 

organizations to partner with CSD by 

providing volunteer opportunities for their 

employees or members. 

Financial support is also needed. Less 

than 5% of diners pay full price for the 

service. The program suggests a donation 

by clients of $3 per meal. However, 

a meal generally costing about $6 is 

provided to any senior without obligation 

to pay. Donations from individuals and 

organizations will help CSD maintain its 

practice of offering high quality meals 

and service for little to no cost to its 

low-income clients. 

 

A Willowwood 

resident appreciates 

Neil Manimtim’s 

warm service. 

~CYNTHIA RAY 

perspectives 13

A New 

Course 

for a One 

Room School 

Resident volunteers of Boutwells 

Landing, in Oak Park Heights, 

give new life to the old 

McKean Schoolhouse. 

The first bell rang and the 

Pledge of Allegiance was 

recited by all in attendance 

on July 11, 2009, as Boutwells 

Landing dedicated and opened 

the one-room McKean School 

to the public. 

It was just as it had been every day in the 

late 19th and early 20th centuries, when 

the schoolhouse was a vibrant center of 

the community, educating children, hosting 

community events, and serving as the local 

gathering place. Now, 145 years since it 

was first opened, the little schoolhouse 

is prepared to resume its role as a 

neighborhood hub, thanks to the efforts 

of a tenacious group of volunteers who 

appreciate its history and recognize 

its potential. 

 

The restored McKean 

Schoolhouse 

14 


In 1864, Elias McKean, a founder of 

Stillwater, Minnesota and member of 

its first school board, built the 30 by 22 

foot clapboard schoolhouse on his farm, 

at a cost of $300. When the last class 

graduated in 1940, the McKean School 

doors were closed. 

The years that followed were tough. The 

little schoolhouse was sold and moved 

to the Koller family farm in Baytown, 

Minnesota where it was used as a storage 

building. The building slowly fell into 

disrepair. The Koller farm was purchased 

by the family of Pete Miller, who moved 

the schoolhouse to its business property. 

Recognizing its historical significance, 

the owners offered the schoolhouse 

to the Stillwater School District, which 

declined due to the expense of relocation. 

Several Stillwater area restoration groups 

investigated using the schoolhouse, 

but again, funding and other issues 

were impediments. 

The schoolhouse found the first of its 

many present-day heroes in Bob Hagstrom, 

retired builder and board member of the 

Valley Senior Services Alliance (VSSA), the 

parent organization of Boutwells Landing. 

Bob, who has experience with historic 

restoration, brought the schoolhouse 

to the attention of the VSSA board and 

Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS). As 

the Boutwells Landing site plan developed, 

the Historic Village Green was designed to 

include the old schoolhouse, a replica of 

the First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater 

(established by William T. Boutwell in 1849) 

and a bandshell for community concerts. 

After many idle years, the schoolhouse 

was moved to the Village Green in April, 

2006. There it sat, until over a year later, 

when Boutwells residents Ray Hunder 

and Les Heggernes saw potential in the 

eyesore resting in the middle of the 

community. Windows were broken, the 

stovepipe suffered a hole in its side and 

the roof leaked. Les and Ray proposed its 

restoration to Boutwells management, 

 


residents Joe 

Carufel and Norm 

DuFresne repair 

the schoolhouse 

window frame. 

which turned to Presbyterian Homes 

Foundation for support. Steve Preus, 

Executive Director of Presbyterian Homes 

Foundation, brought the idea to Ken 

Hooge of Senior Housing Partners, (the 

development arm of PHS), to work out a 

restoration project plan with low-injury 

risk possibilities for volunteer involvement. 

Ray approached the independent 

living residents of Boutwells Landing 

to volunteer. The company of heroes 

swelled as the first 50 people offered to 

help in various ways, from building and 

restoration, to locating artifacts, historical 

research, and fundraising. 

The project took off as the volunteers 

swung into action. A workshop was 

equipped through generous donations 

by residents and Adolfson-Peterson 

Construction (general contractors for 

 

LuJean Swanlund, 


resident and 

volunteer, restores 

an old school desk. 

perspectives 15

the Boutwells Landing care center), and 

became one of the busiest places on 

campus. Volunteers rebuilt windows, 

refinished old floorboards and restored 

donated wooden desks. Joe Carufel rebuilt 

windows with the same type of glass used 

at the turn of the 20th century. 

Retired antique dealers Jane Lee and 

Jeanne Mullen spearheaded the quest for 

artifacts, collecting among other things, 

desks, books, maps, bookcases, pictures, 

a school marm’s chair, and a school bell. 

David Spencer, former college professor, 

researched the history of the McKean 

School, while his wife, Mary, restored 

donated furniture and photographed the 

volunteers’ progress. 

Marian Carlson, whose mother taught at 

the McKean School, spent a day in the 

schoolhouse telling area children about a 

pupil’s typical day in a one-room school. 

According to their teachers, few moments 

had mesmerized the children as much as 

their time with Marian. 

Lyman Geary, former Stillwater School 

Board member, went to work on 

fundraising. Artists Wayne Leisman 

and Elisabeth Ljungkull created images 

of the building to be used in publicity 

and displays. Rosie Carufel and Helen 

Clark documented the restoration story 

with a scrapbook, while Les Heggernes, 

along with his workshop duties, kept the 

Boutwells Landing community informed 

through monthly newsletter updates. 

“Once in shambles, the 

schoolhouse stands proudly 

now as a monument to the 

dedication and determination 

of volunteers.” 

The volunteers were joined by McKean 

School alumni and McKean family 

descendants on July 11, at the grand 

opening, to reintroduce their gleaming 

little schoolhouse to the community. But 

the work is not done, as the challenge 

remains to provide for the use of the 

schoolhouse. Once again, volunteers are 

stepping up to chart a course for the school. 

A committee is working with Boutwells 

Landing’s management and Stillwater 

Public Schools to develop programs, 

staffed by volunteers, to offer in the 

schoolhouse. “After all, the intent,” said 

Bob Hagstrom “always was to offer the 

opportunity for children to connect with 

older adults in a relationship of learning 

and adventure.” 

The McKean School is ready again to be 

a hub of the neighborhood, poised to 

educate children and welcome the greater 

public. Once in shambles, the schoolhouse 

stands proudly now as a monument to 

the dedication and determination of 

volunteers. As Ray Hunder points out, 

“the more you can use your gifts, the 

more fulfilled and the more joy you feel.” 

 

Ray Hunder, Boutwells 

Landing resident 

and McKean School 

volunteer organizer, 

welcomes descendants 

of Elias McKean to the 

grand opening of the 

schoolhouse. 

~DEBRA CAMPBELL 

16 


Abiding in Faith, 

Hope & Love 

Abiders bring compassion and companionship 

to those facing death. 

Valerie Warkel, volunteer 

at Presbyterian Homes of 

Roseville, has been sitting 

for nearly two hours at the 

bedside of a resident. 

There is no conversation between them, 

but the silence speaks volumes. Valerie is 

an Abider; trained to provide part of the 

spiritual care given to residents in the last 

days and hours of their lives. The Abiders 

Ministry, dedicated to attending to these 

residents as well as their families, reflects 

Presbyterian Homes & Services’ (PHS) 

respect for residents and for life itself. 

The Abiders Ministry emerges from the 

heart of the PHS mission to provide 

holistic support through every chapter 

in the lives of older adults. “It’s all part 

of the human experience,” said Cal 

Cooper, Chaplain at Roseville. He feels 

the program is essential in making sure 

the dying are not left alone in their final 

moments. “We sometimes have people 

with no family, or the family lives out of 

the area,” Cooper said, adding that family 

members may also need to leave the side 

of a resident, temporarily, to go to work 

or simply to take a break. This is where an 

Abider comes in. 

 

A gentle touch provides comfort and grace 

as Valerie Warkel attends at bedside. 

Abiders attend to residents who are dying 

when family members are not able to be 

present. An Abider sits with a resident 

for a two-hour shift. Sometimes they talk 

with the resident – or, if the resident can 

no longer speak, the Abider is there as a 

presence, simply offering companionship. 

This might be holding their hand, giving 

a caring touch to their arm, playing quiet 

perspectives 17

So faith, hope, love abide, these three; 

but the greatest of these is love. 

- I CORINTHIANS 13:13 RSV 

 

Chaplain Cal 

Cooper meets 

regularly with 

Abider Valerie 

Warkel. He 

regards her 

volunteer ministry 

as essential to 

the spiritual 

care offered at 

Roseville. 

music, saying a prayer or reading a poem 

or Scripture. Understanding how to 

bring compassion and comfort by “being 

present” takes time, but that is what an 

Abider is trained to do. 

All Abiders attend training led by a PHS 

chaplain. The training gives awareness 

to volunteers about spiritual, physical, 

and emotional changes they may see as 

they spend time abiding with a person on 

the dying journey. Abiders learn how to 

be a calm presence, how to be still, not 

necessarily having to say anything. They 

learn the scope of confidentiality and 

how to appropriately interact with staff 

and family, and it’s made clear to them 

what is not their job. Cooper emphasized 

that Abiders are not nurses or nursing 

assistants. They do not provide medical 

care or assistance or answer questions 

related to medical or physical matters. 

They do call for staff to help whenever 

such issues arise. 

Those who serve as Abiders often say that 

their initial motivation was to help others. 

With time and experience, they find their 

own lives enriched in ways they could not 

have anticipated. “It’s such an honor to 

do this,” expressed Valerie. “I just 

feel blessed.” 

Valerie believes that God brought her into 

this ministry when she read about it in the 

newsletter of St. Odilia Catholic Church, 

where she is a member. Starting about one 

year ago, she has attended three dying 

persons. “One woman was very aware and 

loved to sing. So we each sang with her 

during our shift,” Valerie remembers, “She 

didn’t have any family, but for her last 

days, we became her family.” 

An important part of the ministry is 

support to families. Family members, 

when faced with the impending death of 

a loved one, are often emotional, quick to 

anger or, feel intense grief. In each case, 

an Abider will have been trained on how 

to respond, “so they aren’t surprised by 

anything,” said Cooper. 

Most families express their gratitude for 

comfort brought by Abiders to their loved 

ones, and to themselves. Alexis Bighley 

found the help of Abiders enormously 

comforting when her mother, Diana Baca, 

began to pass from this life. “Our family 

all helped out at mother’s bedside, but 

there were times when we just couldn’t 

be there,” Alexis recalled. “I knew that my 

mother wanted someone to be with her.” 

Alexis was grateful for the tenderness and 

concern that the Abiders showed to her 

mother as she transitioned from this life. 

In hindsight, Alexis wishes that she had 

asked for the help of Abiders sooner and 

encourages other families to call upon 

the valuable and meaningful ministry that 

Abiders bring. 

Brenda Alexander, Chaplain at 

Presbyterian Homes of Arden Hills, 

sees great value in the Abiders Ministry. 

18 


When training Abiders, she assures them 

that an attentive, prayerful presence 

is the very essence of their role. “Even 

though a resident can’t speak or clearly 

communicate, they may be comforted 

through the touch of a hand, hearing a 

Scripture passage, a poem, prayer, 

or music.” 

Valerie Warkel, Abiders Ministry 

volunteer, takes time for personal 

spiritual reflection in the chapel at 

Presbyterian Homes of Roseville. 

 

Both chaplains agree that one should 

sense a call to serve as an Abider. 

Volunteer Abiders are of diverse ages, 

backgrounds, and experiences. Many are 

retired; most have quiet, calm, and patient 

personalities. Alexander explained that 

an Abider should be a person of faith, not 

necessarily a specific faith, but someone 

who understands that death is a sacred 

journey. She added, “An Abider has a heart 

of love and sees this as a ministry.” 

Valerie acknowledges that not everyone 

understands why she is an Abider, and 

she finds it hard to explain. “There really 

aren’t any words for this ministry,” she 

admits. “I feel so blessed to share in such 

an intimate, holy time.” 

~JEAN WILSON GREENER 

To learn more about Abiders or to 

apply as a volunteer, contact Jean 

Wilson Greener, Director of Church and 

Community Relations, at 651-631-6103 

or email, jgreener@preshomes.org. 

perspectives 19

It’s been happening 

every day for over 50 

years. The volunteers of 

PHS serve in many ways; 

each contributing their 

unique gifts to help create 

communities of caring 

and fulfill our mission. 

Caught 

in the Act 

(of Caring) 

20 

Pat Bettendorf 

with his pal, Ruby 

 

FALL 2009 

The volunteers profiled below are 

exemplars of many people who give their 

time freely, just because they want to. 

Their stories represent the kind of deep 

dedication and distinctive talents for 

which we are grateful and on which we 

depend. By recognizing these few, 

we honor all. 

Pat Bettendorf and Ruby 

Ruby, a 52-pound, 6-year-old pit bull, 

knows how to work a room. Her owner, 

Pat Bettendorf, brings Ruby to Croixdale 

in Bayport, Minnesota, where staff and 

residents call her “Ruby the Wonder Dog.” 

Ruby is a certified therapy and service 

dog, trained to work around wheelchairs 

and walkers, and to maintain a controlled 

response to unusual sounds and motion. 

Ruby interacts with residents who enjoy 

petting and playing with her. “Ruby’s a 

sweet soul who likes the attention,” said 

Pat, “and everyone’s always happy to see 

her.” Ruby has been inducted into the 

Animal Hall of Fame of the Minnesota 

Veterinary Medical Association. She 

was first runner-up in the Milk-Bone ® 

“spokesdog” competition, earning a picture 

of herself on a future Milk-Bone box. 

Pat, who lives in Scandia, Minnesota, 

started volunteering at Croixdale over 25 

years ago as an actor with the Duck Soup 

Players, a local musical comedy team. He 

and Ruby have been visiting for the past 

four years. “We enjoy sharing in the lives 

of older adults,” he said. “I’ve yet to find 

a better history book than the life of a 

90-year-old.” 

Laurry and Velyma 

Hanson 

 

Velyma and Laurry Hanson 

The harvest was plentiful at Beacon Hill, 

Minnetonka, Minnesota, thanks to the 

dedicated work of Laurry and Velyma 

Hanson who have lived at the Terrace 

senior apartments since 2000. Laurry 

repaired and enlarged the community 

vegetable garden, picket-by-picket, so 

that residents could cultivate zucchini, 

tomatoes, and other homegrown produce. 

Velyma and Laurry tended the garden 

with regular watering and weeding, even 

picking ripe vegetables for their neighbors. 

The Hansons believe in contributing to 

the community where they live. “If you 

look for things to do,” said Laurry, “you’ll 

always find it.” Laurry installed protectors 

around the sprinkler heads throughout 

the campus grounds, cleared buckthorn 

in the bordering woodlands, and planted

flowers. Velyma compiles the community 

newsletter, prepares communion, and 

sings in the chapel choir. They both help 

set up tables for Bingo and offer rides to 

residents. “We just like to do things for 

others,” said Velyma. “They’re very humble 

about their contributions,” commented 

Karen Casper-Robeson, Campus 

Administrator. “When I told them about 

being profiled in Perspectives, they said, 

‘What did we do?’ ” 

Eugene Ewer 

Paper, scissors, glue, and imagination 

are the raw materials of Eugene Ewer’s 

volunteer service. A resident of The 

Farmstead in Andover, Minnesota, Eugene 

began creating origami over 26 years ago 

to entertain his granddaughter. Since 

then, he’s led demonstrations and held 

classes for area Girl Scouts, church groups, 

and sets up a booth at the Minnesota 

State Fair. He has published a book with 

over 200 origami designs. Eugene always 

re-uses materials, like colored copy paper 

and Christmas cards, to create his art, 

and brings the 

importance 

and care of 

trees into 

his lessons. 

Eugene Ewer 

 

In addition to his paper crafts, Eugene 

leads Bingo at the Farmstead, helps set up 

for special events, and is involved in the 

Abiders Ministry. “Eugene steps up to help 

whenever we need him,” said Beth Fries, 

Campus Administrator. “When the event 

is over, he helps clean up and is often the 

last person leaving.” 

Maxine & Lloyd Johnson 

Wherever the Johnsons are volunteering, 

you won’t find them sitting still. They have 

celebrated over 80 musical performances 

at Stonecrest, where they now live, and at 

other PHS communities. With Lloyd playing 

violin and Maxine on piano, this singingdancing 

duo performs a variety of 1930- 

40’s standards, gospel, country, and 

patriotic tunes. 

The Johnsons, who have been married 

for 67 years, also lead the Silver Sneakers 

senior exercise class twice weekly at the 

YMCA adjoining Stonecrest. “It helps me 

more than it helps them,” said Lloyd, who 

is 95. They also sing together in a 

community choir, and play weekly in a 

community band in Cottage Grove. 

In the summer of 2008, Maxine was 

treated for lymphoma. “Performing and 

leading exercise kept me going,” she 

acknowledged. “It helped me forget all 

about myself.” The Johnsons volunteer as a 

way to give back for the blessings they feel 

they have received. They like that, through 

PHS, they are able volunteer by doing what 

they love. “As long as the audience will 

come, we’ll play.” 

Fran Heinselman 

Fran Heinselman has been serving 30-40 

hours per week at Presbyterian Homes of 

Roseville, Minnesota, for over 22 years, 

making her the longest serving PHS 

volunteer. Fran began volunteering for 

PHS when her mother moved to Roseville. 

She has provided a variety of service, 

including playing the organ for worship 

and piano for sing-alongs, sewing lap 

robes, creating scrapbooks for memory 

care residents, staffing the gift shop, 

sorting and reading mail, and providing 

administrative assistance to several 

volunteer directors over the years. 

She’s even taught a new director how 

to use the computer system. 

Although she can’t name a favorite 

activity, she says her favorite moments 

are, “When I see someone smile.” She likes 

to put her energies towards brightening a 

resident’s day. “Giving personal attention 

keeps people connected,” she said. “That’s 

important to someone here who isn’t able 

to get around much.” 

Maxine & Lloyd 

Johnson 

 

Fran Heinselman 

 

perspectives 21

Love in Motion 

2008 Summary of Volunteer Activity 

We can do no 

great things 

— only small 

things with 

great love. 

- MOTHER TERESA 

22 

3073 VOLUNTEERS 

PROVIDING 

151,000 HOURS 

OF SERVICE 


Presbyterian Homes & Services volunteers 

contributed over 150,000 hours. This is the 

equivalent of over $3 million in labor and 

an extra 12.5 hours given to every resident. 

These community statistics represent an 

approximation of registered volunteers 

COMMUNITY 

VOLUNTEERS & 

HOURS 

Avalon Square 

89 Volunteers: 4,005 hours of service 

Beacon Hill 




Cardinal Pointe of Maplewood 

95 Volunteers: 400 hours of service 

Castle Ridge 


Central Towers 


Croixdale 


The Deerfield 


EagleCrest 


Echo Ridge 


The Farmstead 


GracePointe Crossing 


Highland Ridge 


Kirkland Crossings 


Maranatha 


The Mayfield 


and hours they have contributed. Beyond 

these figures are the many volunteers 

who choose not to record their time, the 

community groups who have visited our 

campuses, and the off-hours contributions 

of many PHS staff members. 

McKenna Crossing 


Mill-Pond 


Mississippi Shores 


Norris Square 


Oak Crest 


Presbyterian Homes of Arden Hills 


Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington 



of Inver Grove Heights 


Presbyterian Homes on Lake Minnetonka 


Presbyterian Homes of Roseville 


PHS Management & Services 


St. Andrew’s Village 


Stonecrest 


SummerHouse of Shoreview 


SummerWood of Chanhassen 


SummerWood of Plymouth 


Waverly Gardens 

26 Volunteers: 1,150 hours of service

On the Horizon 

New Project Updates 

 

Carondelet Village 

(artist’s rendering) 

Carondelet Village - 

St Paul, MN 

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet 

(CSJ), St Paul Province, and Presbyterian 

Homes & Services (PHS) have joined to 

form Carondelet Village, Inc. This equal 

partnership will build a senior residence 

and progressive integrated service 

center on the CSJ grounds, adjacent 

to St. Catherine University, in St. Paul, 

Minnesota. This two-phase project will 

include a full continuum of care as well 

as an integrated service center that will 

coordinate services for older adults. 255 

residences will meet the needs of the 

sisters currently being served at Bethany 

Convent as well as the greater Highland 

Park neighborhood. Construction is 

anticipated to begin in the fall of this 

year. Upon completion of the first phase 

and relocation of the sisters into the 

new community, the Bethany building 

will be razed and phase two will begin. 

All components of the project should be 

complete within 24 months. For more 

information, contact Peggy Scoggins, 

Regional Marketing Manager, at 651-631- 

6314 or pscoggins@seniorpartners.com 

Presbyterian Homes on Lake 

Minnetonka - Spring Park, MN 

Fundraising and development efforts 

are underway for major renovations at 

Presbyterian Homes on Lake Minnetonka. 

A new Town Center and Chapel, located 

to highlight beautiful views of the lake, 

will provide a connection between campus 

buildings allowing integrated activities and 

services. With approximately 20,000 square 

feet on two levels, the Town Center will 

feature a beautiful chapel with seating for 

community events, wellness center, dining 

room, café and deli, convenience market, 

style salon, and other community areas. 

A new 4-level building will offer 66 assisted 

living and memory care suites, replacing the 

37 existing suites. It will have easy access 

to the Town Center. The lower level will 

accommodate the current child day care, 

with future potential for adult day care 

and Creative Independence home health 

care. For more information, contact Patrick 

Murphy, Foundation Director, at 

651-631-6132 or pmurphy@preshomes.org 

 

Founders Ridge (artist’s rendering) 

Founders Ridge - 

Bloomington, MN 

Plans continue for a partnership with 

Bethany Fellowship in Bloomington, to build 

180 independent living, assisted living and 

memory care apartments on their grounds. 

Future plans include brownstones and a 

care center. The first phase of the project is 

staged and ready to proceed once financing 

is completed. Reservations are being 

accepted. Contact Dena Kuenzel, Housing 

Counselor, at 952-941-5047 or 

dkuenzel@preshomes.org 

perspectives 23

Giving and Receiving 

through a Charitable Gift Annuity 

After a successful career helping 

employers with employee pensions and 

profit-sharing, Hugh Madson knows a wise 

charitable gift option when he sees one. 

 

Hugh and Marilyn 

Madson 

That’s why he and his wife, Marilyn, agreed 

to arrange a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA), 

transferring financial assets to Presbyterian 

Homes Foundation (PHF) in exchange for a 

guaranteed, fixed income for life. 

Hugh and Marilyn are life-long St. Croix 

Valley residents who lived in Lake Elmo, 

Minnesota for nearly 50 years. They moved 

to the Brownstones at Boutwells Landing 

in 2004, and credit Steve Preus, PHF 

Executive Director, for their involvement 

in the planning of and fundraising for the 

Boutwells Landing care center. “We have 

been very impressed with the management 

of Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) 

and the Foundation,” said Hugh. 

Years before he was ready to retire from 

Aetna Life Insurance Company, Hugh held 

countless conversations with employees 

and employers as they considered 

what pension options would best suit 

their goals. So when Hugh and Marilyn 

considered their own retirement plans, the 

concept of a CGA was not new to them. 

The choice was appealing. “With the way 

the economy is developing along with our 

personal planning, we thought this was a 

good time to take advantage of (a CGA) 

to give to an organization we believe in,” 

said Hugh. The advantage is that while 

supporting PHS, a CGA also offers them 

a valuable stream of income for their lives. 

Their CGA is a simple contractual 

agreement between the Madsons and 

Presbyterian Homes Foundation. Their gift 

effectively advances the mission of PHS, 

while they receive fixed payments each 

year for life, a portion of which is tax-free. 

Their annual payment is guaranteed - no 

matter what happens to interest rates or 

to the stock market. Hugh explains. “It fits 

well into our overall planning.” 

Hugh and Marilyn’s plans fulfill their 

philanthropic as well as financial goals. 

“A CGA provides us with the opportunity 

to make a charitable gift and receive a 

reasonable income” said Hugh. After their 

lifetime, the remaining amount of their 

gift will be used to support PHS. “Over 

the years we have given to charitable 

organizations that provide excellent service 

to others. We believe PHS does just that.” 

To find out if a CGA meets your personal, 

financial, and philanthropic goals, 

contact Presbyterian Homes Foundation. 

A representative will answer any 

questions and provide a confidential, 

no-obligation calculation of your PHF 

Charitable Gift Annuity. 

24 

CHARITABLE 

GIFT ANNUITY 

RATES 


ONE LIFE 

Your Age Annuity Rate 

50 4.40% 

55 4.80% 

60 5.00% 

65 5.30% 

70 5.70% 

75 6.30% 

80 7.10% 

85 8.10% 

90+ 9.50% 

TWO LIVES 

Your Age Annuity Rate 

50/55 3.90% 

55/60 4.40% 

60/65 4.80% 

65/70 5.00% 

70/75 5.30% 

75/80 5.80% 

80/85 6.50% 

85/90 7.50% 

90/95+ 9.00%

Mission 

Benevolence 

A Habit of Giving Provides 

for the Care of Others 

 

Eleanor Ingman 

Eleanor Ingman’s home reveals 

what’s important to her. 

Artwork from travels with her late 

husband, Boyd, displays her fascination 

with the world. Her lake view balcony, 

filled with flowers, vegetable plants, and 

bird feeders, sustains her love of nature. 

Eleanor’s philanthropic values, though 

not as tangible, also are visible in how she 

chooses to live and give. 

When she was growing up in North 

Dakota, during the Great Depression, her 

father sometimes didn’t get paid. “But 

every Sunday morning,” she remembers, 

“all 6 of his kids would receive a nickel to 

give to the church.” The practices of her 

childhood have remained throughout her 

life. “Boyd and I always gave 10% of 

our income.” 

Eleanor worked as a registered nurse at 

Methodist and North Memorial Hospitals. 

Boyd was an accountant with Cargill. 

“Neither of us was at the top of the heap,” 

she admits, “we were solidly middle-class.” 

They lived in Crystal, Minnesota where 

they raised two daughters. They retired in 

the mid 1970’s, and eventually moved into 

The Court at Presbyterian Homes on Lake 

Minnetonka in 1992. “It feels like home,” 

she said. She’s confident that PHS is able 

to provide whatever she might need for 

support as she ages. 

Eleanor credits Boyd, who passed 

away in 2004, for becoming a donor to 

Presbyterian Homes Foundation (PHF). 

“He felt it was just the right thing to do,” 

she said. Eleanor has continued what 

her husband began. Boyd’s stay at Lake 

Minnetonka’s care center, in the last 

weeks of his life, convinced Eleanor that 

everyone deserves to receive quality care 

and respect, regardless of their income. “I 

have all the comforts I could ever ask for,” 

she said, but she is concerned for other 

residents who may not have the funds 

to sustain the cost of housing and care. 

Eleanor designates her gifts to Mission 

Benevolence, a special fund that provides 

financial assistance to PHS residents who 

have outlived their financial resources. The 

generosity of donors like Eleanor will help 

assure that the nearly 5% of PHS residents 

supported by Mission Benevolence will 

not have to leave the community they 

call home, or seek another place to 

receive care. 

Eleanor points to her own life to 

demonstrate that philanthropy isn’t 

a venue only of the wealthy. “It’s not 

important how much you give, but that 

you give what you can,” she advises. 

“If I can help a few people, just a little bit, 

maybe someone can remain here who 

otherwise couldn’t.” 

To learn more about how to designate a 

gift for Mission Benevolence, contact the 

Presbyterian Homes Foundation. 

perspectives 25

The Philanthropic Perspective 

There are certain similarities between 

Presbyterian Homes & Services’ 

volunteers and donors: 

• BOTH BELIEVE IN THE MISSION OF PHS 

• BOTH VALUE PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY 

• BOTH KNOW THAT THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE VITAL 

• BOTH LIVE OUT THEIR FAITH IN VERY TANGIBLE WAYS 

Your gifts supporting the freedom to live well 

in a Presbyterian Homes community share 

your love whenever residents benefit from 

a chaplain’s care, a therapist’s guidance, 

a wellness trainer’s encouragement, 

companionship and fellowship of events, 

outings and activities, and when needed, 

personal financial support. Your generosity 

makes a difference and touches lives every day. 

Your gifts to Presbyterian Homes Foundation for… 

The Mission Benevolence 

support residents to remain in a PHS 

community even when they have outlived 

their financial resources. 

The Spiritual Life Fund 

ensure every resident, regardless of faith 

persuasion, has access to spiritual care 

from chaplains, and to spiritual programs. 

Our residents have identified this as one 

of the most important aspects of living in 

a PHS community. 

The Wellness Fund 

enable us to provide a wellness 

environment that can offer residents 

programs that support the goal of living 

independently and fully for as long as 

possible. Wellness programs encompass 

not only physical health, but emotional, 

spiritual, and financial health as well. 

The Unrestricted Fund 

allow PHS, with Board approval, to allocate 

funds where they are most needed and 

have the best chance to help put smiles 

in the eyes of our residents. This may 

include the ability to do some of the 

extras at one of our communities, such as 

adding a gazebo, planting new gardens, 

redecorating a social room, as well as 

covering some unexpected expenses. 

THE FOUNDATION TEAM 

Contact the 

Presbyterian 

Homes Foundation: 

651-631-6132, 

giving@preshomes.org, 

or one of our 

directors. 

TRENT WALDEN, President 

twalden@preshomes.org 

Representing Avalon Square, Highland Ridge, 

Kirkland Crossings, Mill-Pond 

STEVE PREUS, Executive Director 

spreus@preshomes.org 

Representing Boutwells Landing, Croixdale, 

St. Andrew’s Village, Cardinal Pointe, Echo Ridge 

PAUL DEAKINS, Director 

pdeakins@preshomes.org 

Representing PH-Bloomington, Castle Ridge, 

Central Towers, PH-Inver Grove Heights, 

McKenna Crossing, Norris Square, Stonecrest 

CHUCK FULLMER, Director 

cfullmer@preshomes.org 

Representing contributing foundations and 

organizations, The Deerfield 

PATRICK MURPHY, Director 

pmurphy@preshomes.org 

Representing Beacon Hill, SummerWood of 

Chanhassen, The Farmstead, PH on Lake Minnetonka, 

Maranatha, Mississippi Shores, 

SummerWood of Plymouth 

KENT OSTERMAN, Director 

kosterman@preshomes.org 

Representing PH-Arden Hills, GracePointe Crossing, 

EagleCrest, The Mayfield, Oak Crest, PH-Roseville, 

SummerHouse of Shoreview, Waverly Gardens 

26 


Fresh Words Express 

an Enduring Commitment 

Introducing the Mission, Vision, and Values 

of Presbyterian Homes & Services. 

The PHS Board of Directors recently adopted a revised statement of mission, vision, and 

values. This provides a frame of reference to understand our purpose and actions, a tool 

for making policy decisions in the present and the future, a map for successful strategic 

planning, and a measure for our ministry. 

Our Mission 

The mission of Presbyterian Homes & 

Services is to enrich the lives of older adults 

through services and communities that 

reflect the love of God. 

Our Vision 

To provide more choices and opportunities 

for more older adults to live well. 

Our Values 

Compassion 

Demonstrating an awareness of each 

person’s needs, and doing what it takes 

to meet those needs. 

Christian Ministry 

Seeking inspirational wisdom. Acting as 

agents of God’s purposes in all we do. 

Growth & Innovation 

Exploring and creating new approaches 

to improving the quality of life for 

older adults. 

People 

Treating others as we would like to be 

treated. Valuing each person in our 

interactions and relationships. 

Stewardship 

Optimizing, with careful responsibility, 

the resources and finances of the ministry 

entrusted to us. 

Service 

Performing our duties and responsibilities 

with extraordinary diligence. Doing our best. 


BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

AUSTIN CHAPMAN, Chair 

ROBERT S. DUNBAR, Vice Chair 

MICHAEL C. BINGHAM 

LARRY A. CARLSON 

THEODORE CHIEN 

MEGAN A. DOYLE 

KAROL D. EMMERICH 

SANDRA S. HAWLEY 

ALLEN I. OLSON 

PHILIP K. OLSON 

CAROLE MAE OLSON 

JOHN G. SERIER 

RONALD C. TORTELLI 

SCOTT A. WEICHT 

HAROLD J. WIENS 

Ex-Officio 

PHILIP BROWN 

Synod Representative 

OFFICERS 

DANIEL A. LINDH, President and CEO 

MARK T. MEYER, Treasurer and CFO 

JANNA R. SEVERANCE, Secretary and Legal Counsel 

perspectives 27

2845 Hamline Avenue North 

Roseville, Minnesota 55113 

NON PROFIT ORG. 

US POSTAGE 

PAID 

PERMIT NO. 4330 

ST PAUL, MN 


Communities 

For more information about 

PHS Communities, go to: 

www.preshomes.org 

651-631-6100 

*managed or partnered communities 

TWIN CITIES—NORTH 

EagleCrest 

Roseville, MN 

The Farmstead 

Andover, MN 

GracePointe Crossing 

Cambridge, MN 

Maranatha 

Brooklyn Center, MN 

The Mayfield 

Little Canada, MN 

Mississippi Shores 

Monticello, MN 

Oak Crest 

Spring Lake Park, MN 


of Arden Hills 

Arden Hills, MN 


of Roseville 

Roseville, MN 

SummerHouse 

of Shoreview 

Shoreview, MN 

Waverly Gardens 

North Oaks, MN 

TWIN CITIES—WEST 

Beacon Hill 

Minnetonka, MN 

Castle Ridge 

Eden Prairie, MN 


on Lake Minnetonka 

Spring Park, MN 

SummerWood 

of Chanhassen* 

Chanhassen, MN 

SummerWood 

of Plymouth 

Plymouth, MN 

TWIN CITIES—SOUTH 

McKenna Crossing* 

Prior Lake, MN 





of Inver Grove Heights 

Inver Grove Heights, MN 

Ridgeview Terrace 


SummerHouse 



TWIN CITIES—EAST 

Boutwells Landing* 

Oak Park Heights, MN 

Cardinal Pointe* 

Maplewood, MN 

Cardinal Pointe* 

Oakdale, MN 

Central Towers 

St. Paul, MN 

Croixdale 

Bayport, MN 

Echo Ridge 

Oakdale, MN 

Norris Square 

Cottage Grove, MN 

St. Andrew’s Village* 

Mahtomedi, MN 

Stonecrest 

Woodbury, MN 

OUTSTATE 

Heartwood* 

Crosby, MN 

The Homestead* 

at Rochester 

Rochester, MN 

IOWA 

Highland Ridge 

Williamsburg, IA 

Mill-Pond 

Ankeny, IA 

WISCONSIN 

Avalon Square 

Waukesha, WI 

The Deerfield* 

New Richmond, WI 

Kirkland Crossings 

Pewaukee, WI

Fall 2009 - Presbyterian Homes & Services

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