Community Involvement
Donations of
Time, Talents, & Treasures.
Thank You !!

Ray & Doris Theisen for hosting “Music with Ray & Doris” for/with the tenants [at the Sunrise Villa Assisted Living (SVAL)] and the residents [at the Mill Valley Care Center (MVCC)] during the evening-time on four Sundays and four Tuesdays.

The week of September 8–14, 2024 was National Assisted Living Week (NALW) 2024.  NALW was established in 1995 by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL).  They revealed the theme for this year as being, “Inspiring Generations”.  NALW provides a unique opportunity for residents, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and the surrounding communities to recognize the role of assisted living in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.

All the SVAL Staff:  Melissa Koch (RN, BSN, Assisted Living Delegation Nurse), Kayla Blaser (Assisted Living Director), Mary Jo Konrardy (CNA, Universal worker), and Stacy Akright, Payton Bellings, Hannah Bickel, Madison Bush, Alyssa Kilburg (CNAs / Universal Workers), and all the tenants, Lenae Sieverding (Administrator), and Jillian Kueter (RN, BSN, (Director of Nursing), for all their work during our celebration of NALW.

The Dietary Department staff for their assistance with Activities, hosting the “Grill Out”, and hosting “All the Goodies, Cookies, Beverages, and more” throughout NALW, held for the tenants (at the SVAL) and the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoons from Monday through Saturday.

Mary Jo Konrardy (volunteer/staff at the SVAL) for hosting “Exercise – “Young At Heart” with the tenants during the afternoon on Saturday; this activity concluded our Assisted Living Week.

Eldora Steines (resident) for sharing her “Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle Facts & Raising Monarch Tips” presentation during lunch time, and then releasing a Monarch butterfly to the outdoors with the help of Alison Meier (RN, staff) during the early afternoon on Friday.  [Ruth Putman (Eldora’s daughter) raises Monarch (aka, Milkweed) butterflies in jars and gave one to her mother for everyone (residents, tenants, staff) to observe and appreciate.  The life cycle (metamorphosis) entails four stages: eggs (adult females lay eggs only on milkweed plants), caterpillar, Chrysalis, and transition/release to/of the butterfly.]  Thanks to Ruth Putman, Eldora Steines, and Alison Meier.

Richard Helbing, LeAnna Michels, Harlan Wilslef, and Eudora Steines (residents, volunteers) for hosting the game of “Euchre” during the afternoon on Friday.

Vincent S. and Marlyce Tebbe (tenants, volunteers) and Linda Bennett (family/volunteer) for hosting the game of “Dominoes” during the afternoon on three Fridays.  Jeanne Weber (volunteer) for assisting Activities.

Marlyce Tebbe (tenant, volunteer) for leading the Rosary prayers (at the SVAL) for the Catholic tenants on Sunday midmorning during the past four weeks.

Kelby Mueller (volunteer) for hosting “Weekend Music with Kelby Mueller” for/with the tenants (at the SVAL) and the residents (at the MVCC) during the noontime on two Sundays.

The Mennonite Choir (volunteers) for hosting “Music with the Mennonites” for/with the residents (at the MVCC) and the tenants (at the SVAL) during the evening time on Sunday.

MaryJo Konrardy (SVAL staff, volunteer) for hosting a full crowd of tenants viewing the Indiana Fever Women Basketball Game on cable TV during the evening time on Sunday.

Mary Jo Konrardy (volunteer/staff at the SVAL) for hosting “Bingo with MaryJo” with the tenants during the afternoon on Sunday.

Jr. Steines (volunteer) for hosting “Euchre Games” at the SVAL during the afternoon on two Mondays.

The residents for hosting “Euchre Games” at the MVCC during the afternoon on Monday.

Rick Casel (BHS Instructor – HS/MS, MDSCI & At Risk) with his 21 students from his “Leadership Class” for playing various games (Jenga, Uno, Old Maid, Euchre, and Chess) with the residents, to help exercise the minds and bodies of the residents during the afternoon on Monday.

Rick Casel (BHS Instructor – HS/MS, MDSCI & At Risk) with his 21 students from his “Leadership Class” for playing games (Jenga, Uno × 2, Old Maid, Euchre, Skip-Bo, and Adult Coloring, with the residents, to help exercise the minds and bodies of the residents during the afternoon on Thursday.

Rita Miller (volunteer) with Joy M. (staff) for hosting “Bingo Games” with the tenants (at the SVAL), held during the afternoon on Tuesday.

Rita Miller and Pat Roling (volunteers) with Joy M. (staff), for hosting “Bingo Games” with the tenants (at the SVAL), held during the afternoon on Tuesday.

Molly Ploessl and Mary Kubik (volunteers) for hosting “Bingo Games” with the tenants (at the SVAL), held during the afternoon on Tuesday.

Marquette Catholic School – Kim Moore’s Class with Aelia Schroeder (student) for hosting “Uno Games” with the tenants (at the SVAL) during the afternoon on Tuesday after bingo.

Peggy Althaus, Donna Sieverding, and Mary Sieverding (volunteers) for hosting “Bingo Games” with the tenants (at the SVAL), held during the afternoon on Tuesday.

David Eischeid (volunteer art instructor) and Mary Kubik (volunteer) for visiting and hosting “Artwork with David & Mary” (an artwork class) during the morning on Wednesday and helping our small group of resident/tenant art students unlock their art talents.

Marilyn and John Kettmann, Jo Fifield, and Jeanne Weber (volunteers), and Linda Bennett, Betty Bakey, Jane Steines, Mary Hinke (family/volunteers) for hosting “Bingo Games”, held with the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Wednesday.

Jeanne Weber (volunteer) and Linda Bennett (family/volunteer) with Joy M. (staff) for hosting “Bingo Games”, held with the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Wednesday.

Steve Junk and Jeanne Weber (volunteers) and Linda Bennett (family/volunteer) with Joy M. (staff) for hosting “Bingo Games”, held with the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Wednesday.

Liz Barry and Darla Sieverding (volunteers), and Linda Bennett, Betty Bakey, Jane Steines, Julie Ties, and Lynn Muhlenhaupt (family/volunteers) for hosting “Bingo Games”, held with the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Wednesday.

Lenae Sieverding (Administrator), Courtney Maxwell, Kayla Blaser, Season Kutsch, Kindal Klein, Joy Marchiando, Theresa Schwager, Alison Meier, Megan Meier, Jill Herrig, CNAs, John Rubel, Melissa Koch, and all involved staff for keeping a “Surprise Baby Sprinkle for Jillian Kueter” a secret from Jillian and making the event possible.  “Surprise Baby Sprinkle” and “Baby Bingo with Prizes” were held for/with Jillian Kueter (RN, BSN, DON).  These events involved the residents, tenants, staff, families, volunteers, and featured treats/goodies, cupcakes, and beverages during the afternoon on Wednesday.

Maddie Bush (Universal Worker at the SVAL), Kindal Klein (Dietary Supervisor) with Joy M. (staff), for preparing freshly warmed S’mores during the evening on Wednesday, just before a full crowd of tenants, families and their children arrived, and quickly “grabbed” the available seating, and began viewing of the Indiana Fever Women Basketball Game on cable TV during the evening time on Wednesday.

Diane Norpel, Jo Ernst, Kathy Dunn, and Linda Bennett (volunteers), with Joy M. (staff), for hosting “Bingo Games with the American Legion Auxiliary Ladies”, held with the tenants (at the SVAL) and then with the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Wednesday.  Kindal Klein (Dietary Supervisor) for hosting and assisting Activities, while serving the tenants (at the SVAL) and then serving the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Thursday, with Joy M. (staff) assisting.

Rev. Andy Upah (Pastor, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bellevue, Iowa), Yvette Andersen (Director of Faith Formation), Judy Moran, and Jr. & Laura Steines (volunteers), [with guest Deacon Stan Upah (Rev. Andy’s Dad)] for hosting the Catholic Mass and Communion Service (at the SVAL) during the midmorning on Thursday.  Jr. Steines (volunteer) for reciting the Rosary prayers.  Rev. Andy Upah and Laura Steines for assisting the distribution of Communion to tenants and residents.

Rev. Andy Upah (Pastor, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bellevue, Iowa), Judy Moran, and Jr. & Laura Steines (volunteers), for hosting the Catholic Mass and Communion Service (at the SVAL) during the midmorning on Thursday.  Jr. Steines (volunteer) for reciting the Rosary prayers.  Rev. Andy Upah and Laura Steines for assisting the distribution of Communion to the tenants and residents.

Rev. Andy Upah (Pastor, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bellevue, Iowa), Yvette Andersen (Director of Faith Formation), Judy Moran, Betty Portz, and Jr. & Laura Steines (volunteers), [with guest Deacon Stan Upah (Rev. Andy’s Dad)] for hosting the Catholic Mass and Communion Service (at the SVAL) during the midmorning on Thursday.  Jr. Steines (volunteer) for reciting the Rosary prayers.  Rev. Andy Upah and Laura Steines for assisting the distribution of Communion to tenants and residents.

Rev. Andy Upah (Pastor, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bellevue, Iowa), Yvette Andersen (Director of Faith Formation), Betty Portz, and Jr. Steines (volunteers), [with special guest Deacon Stan Upah (Rev. Andy’s Dad)] for hosting the Catholic Mass and Communion Service (at the SVAL) during the midmorning on Thursday.  Jr. Steines (volunteer) for reciting the Rosary prayers.  Rev. Andy Upah and Yvette Andersen for assisting the distribution of Communion to tenants and residents.

Melissa Koch (staff) for sharing two pet baby dogs named, “Seren” (female Chihuahua) and “Vinny” (male Chihuahua) with the residents, tenants, families and staff to enjoy during the afternoon on Thursday.  (Both pups were born on June 16, 2024.)

Courtney Maxwell (staff) for sharing her pet baby male dog named, “Trice” (Golden Retriever), for the residents, tenants, families and staff to enjoy during the past two Thursdays.

Bea Hansen (volunteer) for hosting “Crafts with Bea” (making a “Autumn Scene” item and an Autumn Leaf craft) with the tenants (at the SVAL) and the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Thursday.

Kayla Blaser (AL Director) and Mary Jo Konrardy (Universal Worker)  for hosting “Spa Day” with a “Mimosa Bar” (at the SVAL) and their presentation, featuring demonstrations, massages, lotions, creams, and calming attractive scents before an actively engaged audience of tenants during the afternoon on Thursday.  Kindal Klein (Dietary Supervisor) for preparing and serving the mimosas.  Mary Jo Konrady and Kayla Blaser (SVAL staff) for assisting during this event.  Kindal, Kayla, MaryJo, Maddie Bush, Courtney, Lenae Sieverding (Administrator), with Joy M. (staff) for capturing the “Kodak” moments that occurred during NALW.

National HealthCare Environmental Services & Housekeeping Week (September 8–14, 2024) was celebrated with this year’s theme honoring “Custodial Staff, Cleaning & Maintenance Management”.  (Environmental Services Week is a time to show appreciation for the dedicated EVS personnel that ensure health care facilities across the country are clean, safe places for patients, their families, and other staff members.)  Thanks to Theresa Schwager (Environmental Services Supervisor), Susan Eversole, Deb Fultner, Kelby Mueller, Mychelle Randall, Diane Dempewolf, and Colleen Kelly (Housekeeping/Laundry staff) for their work; they all received a basketful of treats/goodies.  John Rubel (Maintenance staff) for his work in maintaining a safe and comfortable environment at this facility.

Theresa Schwager, Susan Eversole, Jillian Kueter, Lenae Sieverding, Season Kutsch, Jill Herrig, Alison Meier, Megan Meier, Melissa Koch, Kayla Blaser, MaryJo Konrardy, Maddie Bush, Kindal Klein, Courtney Maxwell, CNAs, John Rubel, Steve Schmudde, and all the other involved unnamed staff and volunteers, for assisting Activities during the past four weeks.

Rev. Laurie Finn (Deacon, Salem Lutheran Church; Andrew, Iowa) for assisting Activities.

Barb Budde for her donations of “Our Iowa” magazines.

Anonymous for the beautiful donation of 18 Handmade Autumn Centerpieces for the MVCC and the SVAL.

The anonymous staff members who brought their pets to share with the residents and tenants during the past two weeks.

Anonymous for their donations of items during the past four weeks. 

Thanks to all the volunteers for being awesome.

Thanks to all the involved staff and volunteers for their assistance in Activities and support in/with all the “individualized” activities/events during the past four weeks.

Thanks to all the unnamed individuals who communicated [via letters, phone calls, video chats (FaceTime, Facebook, Skype, etc.), outside closed/open window visits, inside visits, etc.] with the residents / tenants to help uplift their days.  Thanks to all the residents, tenants, families, friends, school children and teachers, volunteers, staff (Administrative, Nursing, Dietary, Housekeeping, Laundry, Maintenance, and Activity-Recreation Departments), Therapy staff (Occupational, Physical, Speech), local area (Bellevue, Maquoketa, Preston, Andrew, St. Donatus, Springbrook, etc.) businesses, churches, organizations, and other unnamed individuals for their kindnesses, assistance, and support with all our activities / events / donations / cards / posters during the past four weeks.

For a more detailed listing of the Activities, check out the calendar of events on our website newsletter.  See URL:  www.MillValleyCareCenter.com/.

Photos may be found at both: the “Happenings” section of our newsletter; and the “Photos” section of our Facebook page.  See URL:  www.facebook.com/MillValleyCareSunriseVilla/.

Note:  All Activities/Events/Times are subject to change without notice.  To check our schedule, one may also call  563-872-5521.