When Gladys Lewis and her husband retired from farming after 63 years, they knew the Good Samaritan Society in their community would be their next home.
“There really was only one place to check out and that was Prairie View,” says Gladys. “I don’t know why anybody would look for anything else if they were our age.”
The couple, who were in their 80s, moved to an independent living apartment at Good Samaritan Society – Prairie View in St. James, Minnesota.
Making it a friendly home
Soon after, Gladys came up with a fun way to get to know her neighbors.
“She took it upon herself to start doing these monthly suppers and would make supper for the whole building,” says Michelle Mohlenbrock, manager of assisted living at Prairie View, who has known Gladys for over 11 years.
“People would tell me, ‘You don’t have to do this, but it sure is nice,’” Gladys laughs. “The reason I started doing it is because I felt if I just sat around, then pretty soon that’s all I’d be able to do, and I wasn’t ready for that.”
Gladys also donated money for activities and local groups to come and perform and made sure each resident received a birthday card signed by all residents and staff members every year.
“She made it home for not only herself, but for others, too,” Michelle states.
Her neighbors showed the same care to Gladys when her husband died in 2018.
“Both the residents and staff were great. It was like a second family because everybody was so loving and compassionate. If I had been alone on the farm, that would’ve been awful,” states Gladys.
Hospice to assisted living
The friendly environment Gladys helped foster at Prairie View is also found at Brandt Ridge. Brandt Ridge is the Society’s assisted living residence on campus where Gladys currently lives.
In early 2024, Gladys was hospitalized for two months. Then she moved to long-term care at Good Samaritan Society – Pleasant View on the St. James campus.
“That’s why we moved to Prairie View in the first place – because the nursing home was here and Brandt Ridge was here,” says Gladys.
While in long-term care, Gladys needed hospice services. It wasn’t long before her health started to improve.
“I kind of shocked my family when I asked the hospice nurse, ‘What do I need to do to get back to using my walker instead of the wheelchair?’” says Gladys.
When she felt strong enough, she decided to move to Brandt Ridge.
“She’s just amazing,” says Michelle.
A new chapter
Brandt Ridge is connected to Prairie View by a garage that’s heated in the winter. This allows residents to interact and take part in each building’s activities and events.
Both buildings have weekly devotions led by local pastors and Brandt Ridge has a Sunday worship service every other week.
No matter what activity is going on, staff members encourage residents to come and join.
“You can do as much socializing as you want to do,” says Gladys. “Some days we exercise, another day is devotions, and in the afternoons, there are activities. There’s a lot of laughter, which is good for us.”
Gladys chooses the services she wants, such as help with her medications, showers, laundry and housekeeping. She eats lunch and supper in the dining room with her neighbors.
Staff members are available 24/7 and many have worked there for years.
“The consistent staff longevity makes it more family oriented,” says Michelle. “They are very good at getting to know each person and their likes and dislikes and valuing the knowledge and history that the residents come with.”
Gladys couldn’t be more thankful for the friends she has at the Good Samaritan Society. She counts Michelle as one of them and even taught her how to make rhubarb jam.
“I can’t say enough about Michelle,” says Gladys. “I am just very happy to be here.”
