The community of Albion, Nebraska, might be small — it’s just over 1,700 people — but it’s big on the things that matter: kindness, generosity and love.
People here care deeply about each other and the place they call home. That’s why they’re committed to supporting projects and organizations that strengthen their community. In recent years, Albion residents have given millions to support their local hospital, school district (including a recent campaign to develop a new childcare center), parks and recreation and one special nonprofit that’s especially close to their hearts: Good Samaritan.
The Good Samaritan campus in Albion provides assisted and independent living services, rehabilitation therapy and long-term care to approximately 100 local seniors.
But not just any seniors. The patients and residents at Good Samaritan Society – Albion are beloved members of this community. They are not just grandparents, parents and loved ones. They are retired teachers, coaches and band leaders. They are heroic veterans and trailblazing entrepreneurs. They are the leaders and doers who helped build and shape Albion into the thriving community it is today.
They’ve done and given so much, and this community hasn’t forgotten. With love and gratitude, people here support Good Samaritan’s work to provide comfort, joy and belonging – ensuring the seniors they love and revere can live fully as they age.
This is a story about the generosity of one small community. But more than anything, it’s a story about love.
Built by generosity, growing with generosity
The love Albion has for its seniors is not a new phenomenon. It’s always been a constant here but was especially evident decades ago when the late Jim and Elaine Wolf made a generous gift to help bring Good Samaritan to Albion.
Today, the Wolf Memorial nursing home stands as the largest facility on the Good Samaritan Society – Albion campus. The building proudly bears their name as a symbol of kindness and generosity.
Elaine and Jim Wolf
Jim and Elaine’s son, Jay, remembers the project well.
“My dad was very hands-on in terms of what he got involved with. When making donations, he preferred to be personally involved in making it meaningful and impactful,” Jay said. “For my parents, this wasn’t just a donation. It was their time and their involvement to help it be successful. Dad led the way with the gift in honor of his uncle, Max, because they’d had to take his aunt to Omaha for nursing home care. From there, he involved other community leaders.”
Over their lives, Jim and Elaine remained committed to supporting Good Samaritan, along with countless other nonprofits and causes throughout Albion. Perhaps most notably, the Wolfs helped establish the Boone County Foundation Fund, which serves as a catalyst for community improvement and place-making projects fueled by philanthropy.
Jim and Elaine’s passion for philanthropy lives on in their children, including Jay and his wife, Susie, who live in Albion and also support Good Samaritan.
“Good Samaritan has earned the support of the community based on the quality of care they provide,” Jay said. “We’ve done three remodel campaigns now, all based on community support. It’s remarkable how successful those fundraising drives were. They’re a great barometer of how much people count on this place and respect they have for the work it does.”
A new project to enhance care
Good Samaritan Society – Albion’s latest initiative is a $3 million improvement project to remodel its skilled nursing unit known as the Heartland Wing.
The project is made possible thanks to local donors who helped raise $1.5 million for the effort, including a visionary $750,000 gift from Marilee Niewohner.
Marilee has called Albion home for most of her life. She and her late husband, Delbert, made their home on a farm just northeast of town. Over their 66-year marriage, they raised a family here, built a successful farming operation and felt the love and kindness of the Albion community in countless ways.
The chance to pay that kindness forward through a gift to Good Samaritan was deeply meaningful, said Marilee’s son, Jerry Niewohner.
“My parents believed in Albion and always wanted the best for this community,” he said. “This gift will make a meaningful difference for so many of our friends and neighbors. It’s something truly special for our mom and our whole family to be a part of.”
Construction on the Heartland Wing remodel project, which will enhance and modernize resident rooms with accessible restrooms, is scheduled to begin in early 2026.
“This project will do so much to enhance the care and programs we provide,” said Gina Rankin, administrator for Good Samaritan Society – Albion. “We are endlessly grateful for our community’s support of this endeavor, and for their continued support over the years. We simply can’t say thank you enough.”
A trusted community resource
Ali Hofer, Gina Rankin and Tina Stokes
When it comes to giving back, “Albion really does have the secret sauce,” Tina said. “This place just has the right mix of people with the right energy and the right passion to make things happen. As a result, we’ve completed some huge projects that are impacting the quality of life here in really meaningful ways.”
What’s happening at Good Samaritan is a great example, she said.
“People here understand the importance of senior care. They see the value of this facility in our community. They have family and friends here. They can see themselves here someday,” she said. “We spend a lot of time talking about how to invest in our youth. I think there’s a strong sentiment here that caring for seniors is just as important as funding early childhood or youth initiatives,” she said.
In addition to community support, Good Samaritan Society – Albion has also received grants from the Boone County Foundation Fund, including a significant grant for the Heartland Wing remodel project.
“There’s trust in Good Samaritan here, and a belief that this grant will be put to good use,” Tina said. “We exist to sustain and improve quality of life, and in Albion, Good Samaritan plays a big role in quality of life. We’re proud to be part of big projects like this that will make a difference not just for patients and residents, but for our entire community.”
Love lives here
There’s one central theme inside each of the buildings on the Good Samaritan campus in Albion: love.
You can see love in residents like Leonard Burge, 74, who volunteers his time every day cleaning the hallway handrails inside the Wolf Memorial building. “I like to stay busy and, I believe we should leave a place better than we found it — so I’m just doing my part,” he said.
You can feel the love of caregivers and staff, many of whom have been here for decades, including Gina Rankin, Business Office Coordinator Lori Warner and Certified Medication Assistant Joni Karmann, a recent Guardian Angel honoree. Between them, they have a combined 93 years of service.
“I’ve always wanted to make a difference,” Gina said. “There’s just not another place where you can work where you can make a difference like you can here. People here just care.”
Leonard Burge
Lori agreed.
“You can feel the kindness and warmth — there’s a real sense of community here. We care about our residents and, as colleagues, we care about each other. I’m proud to work here,” she said.
Caring staff who operate with love, compassion and a shared commitment to excellence aren’t just noticed by those in Albion. In June, Good Samaritan Society – Albion received the Silver Achievement in Quality award from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. The honor recognizes organizations that meet progressively rigorous standards of performance to further improve the lives of residents and staff in long-term care.
Ali Hofer serves as vice president for the Good Samaritan Foundation. She said Good Samaritan Society – Albion is thriving because of two things: a compassionate team committed to enriching the lives of our patients and residents, and a community whose generosity lifts their work higher.
“There’s something remarkable about a community that rallies around its seniors with such kindness and care. Their generosity fuels the programs, people and experiences that make this a place where people can age with dignity, joy and connection. What a beautiful thing to witness. We simply couldn’t be more sincerely grateful,” she said.
Give for Good
If you’re inspired by this story and want to support the next big project at Good Samaritan Society – Albion, Give for Good today. 100% of your gift will make a difference for the patients and residents we serve.
