Taking Care of Families Throughout the Years
My family, including but not limited to the Schulle family, has been associated in some form or fashion since the mid-60s. Actually, if you wanted to go back a little further my father-in-law, RK Smith, was one of the carpenters that help build the original GAH. Even my husband, Reine, worked as a helper during the final construction. My step-grandmother, Meta Holter, was a resident in the mid 60s. Aunt Mary Ann Van Horn (Cheatham) worked as the assistant to Mr. Reed, the administrator. She enjoyed every minute with her “folks”. She always treated every resident as a family member. Later she took over as Administrator. During this time, a cousin by marriage worked as a volunteer and provided the arts and crafts and other entertainment for her “folks”. June Rheinlander enjoyed her work as much as Aunt Mary Ann. At this time my sister-in-law, Marty Kearney was the actual paid employee that was responsible for activities. My daughter, Jenee, helped Marty and June, as well, as Aunt Mary Ann and served as a companion to the folks with no visitors or those in the infirmary at that time.
Some of the favorite times for Marty, Aunt Mary Ann and Jenee were the day trips and picnics for the residents. They always had fun and enjoyed their times with the residents and the residents were always ready for another outing. We used to joke over the years that the staff must be doing something right because over the years they celebrated a lot of birthdays for folks in their late 90s and especially their 100th birthday for a number of residents.
Before the Schulle girls came to the home, there were various other members of extend family residing there. All were pleased with their care. Some were on the waiting list for a while to get their place to live. Mom, Linda Holter, was the first of the “girls” to join the ranks of the residents at GAH. Then Aunt Mildred Field joined Mom. They had spent many years visiting by phone and when they both became residents they joked about the fact that there was only the shower area between their rooms but they still spent their time on the phone with each other. The staff laughed about the two sisters and their phones. Both were very happy and comfortable with their time in GAH. Aunt Wanda was the last of the sisters to join them at the home. Sadly, they each finally moved into the GAH nursing facility. Even there they were together as they were on the same hall and just a couple of rooms apart. At this point, 2013, Uncle Marvin Schulle moved into the GAH to be close to family. He was very satisfied to be among people that loved him whether actual family or adopted family, being staff and residents of GAH. Reine’s grandmother was there in the late 70s? June’s Mother and Father-in-law were residents of GAH when they were in their early 90s. So over several decades GAH has been a part of our family. We have all been grateful for the various experiences, care and love provided by all to all.
Barbara Jean Smith
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As long as I can remember, my mother, Wanda Holter's first words every morning when she woke was "good morning world," as she gazed out a window. She always tried making the most of her life even when she was a resident of the Golden Age Home. She was a very independent lady with a mind as sharp as a tack.
My Uncle Marvin Schulle, was so thankful to be surrounded by family and appreciative that he found a home, friends and staff at the Golden Age Home that filled his days with love.
Linda Guckian