PioneerCare Foundations: Autumn 2021

FALL 2021

PIONEERCARE

FOUNDATIONS

Recipes for Friendship

Steve Guttormson

Moments of Glory Here in Minnesota, fall is a fleeting moment of glory. Following a summer that was not easy, we needed that moment this year.

We do our best to pay attention and appreciate it: neighborhood walks, boat rides to view orange and gold shorelines, and car trips to our beloved Maplewood State Park. No matter what is going on in the world, these moments bring us feelings of gratitude and joy.

The pandemic is difficult for us. As a community, it infects everything: our economy, our established institutions, and for some – even our faith. It tests our resiliency and our resolve.

A PioneerCare employee suggested we adopt a term, PioneerStrong. It speaks to our need to stay united and work together to support and protect each other. It speaks to unwavering drive, resiliency, and commitment to our mission. I try to stay PioneerStrong by constantly seeking moments of glory.

The PioneerCare Foundation has released a video titled PioneerStrong: Personal Experiences of the Pandemic. In this video release, you will hear about some of the challenges staff, residents, and their families have faced. We also invite you to watch for the

moments of glory: A daughter taking her mother’s hand at her bedside. A nursing assistant doing her best to spark a smile. A son expressing gratitude for his mother’s care. The release of a coronavirus vaccine.

You can view PioneerStrong on our YouTube channel or directly on our website at www.pioneercare. org/foundation. After viewing, we hope it inspires you to respond with generosity. Your donation will be put to work to help PioneerCare staff and the people they serve stay PioneerStrong. Giving to Pioneer’s Greatest Need Fund allows the Foundation to creatively respond to ever-changing dynamics of this time.

Last year’s projects included hero bonuses for staff, telecommunications technology to support virtual visits for residents and families, and a television system bringing worship and other programming from PioneerCare’s Celebration Center directly into resident rooms.

As an organization that has served the community for over 90 years, Pioneer has gone through difficult seasons before. Your support today provides more moments of glory.

…unwavering drive, resiliency, and commitment to our mission…

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A Note from Nathan , s impacted our lives ha ic em nd pa e th at th There is no question truly makes oments that I believe m e os th to d on sp re ughout this but its how we oneerStrong and thro Pi d le tit o, de vi e th examples of a difference. In so many wonderful e ar e er th , NS TIO DA continue to edition of FOUN ake a difference and m to ue in nt co le op how faithful pe rCare. spect to life at Pionee re d an ity gn di g ries realized in br d community visiona an s er ad le ch ur ch Our early ist-like passionate, and Chr m co , fe sa a te ea cr t their elder the potential to of this area to live ou le op pe rly ea e th munity r environment fo acy and gave our com leg nd ou of pr a t lef rs t, this founde g community suppor on str years with dignity. Our d an t en em ag cades of careful man a special gift. With de ars. care system and our s continued for 93 ye th ha al cy he r ga le ou t on an ll rt to po its im ken the pandemic has ta to align with ce our occupancies There is no question du re ly ri ra po m te . nals. We have had to ly a bump in the road on is healthcare professio is th r be em m encouraged ce. Even so, let’s re ous challenges, I am m or the available workfor en of ce fa e th season. In e for those we serve; m ho ke -li ist It is the Thanksgiving hr C d ssionate, an nals with provide a safe, compa healthcare professio r fo k that we continue to or w to e ac pl provide a rewarding and we continue to ur ft hearts. and thank you for yo , ng vi gi nd -e ar ye strong hands and so your ing PioneerCare in Thank you for includ givers. milies, and their care fa r ei th , ts ul ad r de support of ol In Christ, Nathan Johnson, CEO

WORTH WATCHING How has it been to live and work in residential and care settings like PioneerCare Center, Pioneer Cottages, and Pioneer Pointe amid a pandemic? Hear stories about residents, their families, and employees online at www.pioneercare.org/foundation.

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FOUNDATIONS

Food, Fun, and Friends “Nothing brings people together like good food.”

I’m not exactly sure who should get credit for this quote, as I saw it on a sign in a friend’s kitchen and thought it seemed like the perfect way to open this article. This friend is a real “foodie.”

Her warm and welcoming kitchen is filled with signs about food and friendship. I’ll share a couple of them as we go along in our feature story, which is also about this thing that brings us all together: FOOD! What a fun topic for this feature story.

Preparing for this article, I was treated to a delightful conversation with some friends at Pioneer Pointe.

They are tenants and staff who make food a reason to gather, to visit, and to share experiences and recipes.

Like my friend, these ladies could easily be labeled as “foodies,” with an extra helping of a life’s worth of experience.

Marie Tysdal, Housing Director at Pioneer Pointe, has been on board for nearly a year.

“I saw the calendar when I first got here and saw something related to food,” she said, “and having been in this field for some time, I was well acquainted Marie Tysdal is the housing director for Pioneer Pointe. with these types of group meetings. This began as a food committee of sorts with some tenants meeting once each month to talk about the food we served mostly. As a group they talked about the things they really liked, some things they didn’t care for, and some foods they’d like to see added.”

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ships

By Mary Dolan

Marie explained the “committee” began to move toward more of a “food forum” over time.

“One meeting, we all brought cookbooks and began sharing recipes that were old family favorites of some of our tenants,” said Marie, “and then it expanded beyond a committee and was open to anyone who Ruth Berg sports a sweatshirt wanted to join us. It promoting Pioneer Pointe, became a real favorite hand-designed by her daughter. and we quickly realized we have some real ‘foodies’ living here at Pointe.”

Food is one thing we all have in common.

“I think we have friendships growing from getting together,” said Marie, “and just because they all live here, doesn’t mean they all know each other well.

I really feel like this food forum is a great way for them to connect with each other. Food is the center of everything. Food is very social, and this group is too. I truly look forward to meeting with this group each month. They are such fun!”

Ruth Berg is a Pioneer Pointe tenant that began serving on the food committee. “This was a great way for some of us to get together at a monthly meeting,” Ruth explained, “and a great way for us to collect comments from other tenants and bring them to our meetings to discuss. We talked about food we really enjoy and what we could add to provide even more choices. Adding fresh fruits and vegetables was

Cheri Finseth, Nathan Johnson, and Brad Bushinger serve up home-smoked brisket for a special dinner for people residing at Pioneer Pointe.

one of the things we enjoyed very much.”

What began in committee form quickly turned into food, fun, and friendships formed. “Marie has really made our food forum a lot of fun,” said Ruth, “she even planted raised gardens right outside and even brought fresh sweet corn from her garden to share. Our meals now feature all this amazing garden produce, and the salads are just beautiful. They know just what each of us likes and the individual care given to our food is so very nice. I’m amazed they can know our tastes so well and am so grateful for this kind of amazing care.”

LaVonne Hanson is also part of the food forum. “Once Marie arrived on the scene, this food forum became so much fun,” LaVonne explained, “We had never had a “fun foodie” like her before.

Like Ruth, I love all those fresh vegetables Marie planted and regularly harvests. Marie has gone above continued on the next page

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“‘We’re going to have a little lunch.’ … but it was never little as I recall.”

– Ruth Berg

Cheri Finseth serves up bread and homemade jam at Pioneer Pointe.

and beyond in so many areas, especially when it comes to food. We are so grateful for Marie and all the fun she brings to life here at Pioneer Pointe.”

Fun and food seem to go hand in hand at Pioneer Pointe these days. “I’m so amazed the staff here knows us and our food preferences,” said LaVonne. “They seem to know just what each of us wants. Some like tomatoes and some don’t. Some don’t even like whipped topping. That’s Skinny Bill, and if he ever gets whipped topping by mistake, he’s quick to give it away. I guess we’re pretty easy to keep track of. Some of us really never change our minds!”

Exchanging favorite recipes has become a social gathering of sorts. “I’ve got a recipe box you wouldn’t believe,” said LaVonne, “even though I rarely used the recipe. I always did all the cooking for family

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holidays, and they included some family favorites like baked beans, potato salad, and scalloped potatoes.

Dessert was important too, and my family always wanted my famous chocolate cream dessert. My mother-in-law put the recipe in a church cookbook and it became a staple at family gatherings.”

Ruth chimed in by telling us Sunday dinners were always at her house. “Not only did we have great food,” said Ruth, “but we had rules. No answering the phone or doorbell. Our whole neighborhood knew enough not to bother us during Sunday dinner. Our family dinners were wild and crazy and those are some of the best memories ever.”

Another food memory came to mind as we visited that day. “I remember we used to have a saying,” said Ruth, “and that was ‘We’re going to have a little

FINDING THE FIT Do you know someone who would enjoy being

part of the PioneerCare team? PioneerCare seeks individuals to serve in various roles including nurses, nursing assistants, caregivers, homemakers, and other important positions. Some roles require little or no previous experience. The most important thing for such an individual is to have a big heart and a capacity to share in the mission of Pioneer.

PioneerCare continuously evolves to provide a rewarding work environment. Recent increases in wages are a part of that. Employees are eligible for full time benefits with a minimum of 30 hours per week. Through PioneerCare Foundation and other sources, multiple scholarship opportunities are available for an individual to build upon their career. If you know someone for whom PioneerCare would be a good fit, please encourage them to

“I continue to learn on the job from the residents I serve and from my co-workers. Building relationships is an important skill I can develop while working in a long-term care setting like PioneerCare Center.”

– Angie, Nurse at PioneerCare Center

learn more at www.pioneercare.org/careers.

lunch.’ I guess I still use that phrase!” LaVonne smiled broadly and added, “Yes, a little lunch,” she said, “but it was never little as I recall. We always had summer sausage and peach sauce plus dessert. It got to be a big lunch!”

Food provides such a personal connection and conjures up so many happy family memories. Another sign in my food friend’s kitchen reads like this: “People who love to eat are always the best people.”

What a wonderful way to connect these friends at Pioneer Pointe. Maybe there really is something behind “comfort food.”

As I got ready to leave that afternoon, Ruth said with a smile, “Next time you come, we’ll have a little lunch!” LaVonne quickly added, “and I’ll bring the peach sauce!” I smiled all the way home.

On the cover: LaVonne Hanson and her recipe box.

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PioneerCare Pioneer Home, Inc. 1131 Mabelle Avenue S. Fergus Falls, MN 56537

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PIONEERcare Corporate Board Lowell Brenna Suzanne Demuth Bonnie Denzel, Vice Chairperson Joe Ellig Janet Freeman Dean Monke, Secretary John Sethre Brandi Sillerud, Treasurer Brad Tollerson, Chairperson Peggy Underwood

Foundation Board Leslie Flugstad Janel Fredericksen Bruce Gerhardson Lorri Holt, Vice Chairperson Tom Kingston, Treasurer Paul Nelson Pamela Olson, Secretary Renae Rasmusson Hans Ronnevik, Chairperson David Strom

Auxiliary Board Honey Anderson Jean Blondeau Elle Habberstad Jackie Klinnert Barb Lorsung Joyce Nerdahl Carol Pocta, Secretary Pamela Schroden Ardis Searles Lois Stinogel, President Donna Toso, Treasurer Norma Worden Julie Erlandson, Staff Auxiliary Liaison

Foundations is a publication of the Pioneer Foundation to inform friends, supporters and stakeholders of PioneerCare.

For questions, comments, or address corrections, please contact Steve Guttormson, Foundation Director, at 218.998.1501 or email steveg@pioneercare.org. Mary Dolan and Steve Guttormson, Editors; and Beth Hagemeister, Graphic Design.

PioneerCare is an equal opportunity employer and provider.