Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Thayer, Erickson, Kaczor, Struensee, Kipp, Knoff, Fitzel, Cervan, Friemoth, Felix, Wagner, Weaver, Miller, Purgett, Du Bois, Pasion, Meru, Heck, Hulett, Brecht
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/19/2021
Ceremony Recognizes Healthcare Heroes (2021)
A ceremony held in Neillsville’s Schuster Park Saturday was dubbed the “Care & Rehab – Neillsville Health Care heroes recognition Celebration.” With the announcement earlier this spring that Care & Rehab – Neillsville would be closing, the ceremony was to individually recognize all current and former Care & Rehab employees for their hard work caring for residents. Special recognition was given for all the employees did this last year to care for residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dale Erickson represented WCCN radio at the event and served as emcee. “The patient becomes your family,” he told healthcare workers there, “and this last year, you were their only family. You were able to do the only thing we [family members] couldn’t do – have that physical touch and provide that comfort.. It’s a testament to this community, the care that has been provided for so many years.” Care & Rehab owners Andrea and Grant Thayer also spoke. “Everybody her has made a difference,” said Andrea (above). “I’ve always been proud of the care we’ve provided, and that’s not because of me; it’s because of you and the love and care you’ve shown,” said Grant.
Employees received awards for their years of service. Shown, above, (left-right) Angie Kaczor, 26 years; Carol Struensee, 42 years; Mary Kipp, 36 years; Sandy Knoff, 16 years; Joyce Fitzel, 26 years; (middle) Lisa Cervan, 22 years; Jill Friemoth, 38 years; Percilla Felix, 25 years; Donna Wagner, 42 years; Harriett Weaver, 21 years; Janice Miller, 34 years; (back)Roxanne Purgett, 35 years; Mary Du Bois, 14 years; Marceil Pasion, two years; Nenita Meru, two years; Marie Heck, 35 years; and Gloria Hulett, 37 years. Also, recognized was Charlie Riegel for serving as transportation driver for four years. In addition, two ladies had announced they were going to retire before it was announced the facility would be closing. Kipp received a plaque in honor of her retirement after 36 years. Director of Nursing Gloria Hulett also was honored for 37 years of service. After the ceremony, attendees enjoyed cake and ice cream. Valerie Brecht/Clark County Press
