This year, Quiet Oaks has deemed 2020
"The Year of Gratitude"
Read on to see all we
have to be
GRATEFUL for!
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Since this Sunday, June 21 is Father's Day, we decided to take the time to honor our Father's with this Newsletter. Here are three letters written by the family of three residents we were blessed to care for here at Quiet Oaks.
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Thomas Joseph Borgert
He has been gone now for almost 4 years but I think of him every day. His steadfast loyalty and love for his family, selfless dedication to church and community, as well as his music are all an inspiration and a model for a life lived in service to others.
Like so many of his generation, his life was not exciting or glamorous. He grew up through the depression, served his country in WWII, came home, finished his education, went to work, courted and married the love of his life and, together, they raised their family.
His love for us was deep. We honor him by living lives of integrity, purpose and service to our families and communities. That is his enduring legacy.
(His last few days at Quiet Oaks were days of rest and healing. We were honored to be with him through his transition and comforted by all who cared for him in hospice.)”
David Borgert
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Ralph Schmitt
In reflecting upon Fathers day and what it will mean moving forward – it will be a day to stop and remember not only the moments that you shared in the journey of life, but also a way to remember the lessons learned from him that will shape my journey and others I interact with flowing forward. My dad Ralph Schmitt would be the first person to tell you he was a high school drop out. He had to stop his schooling to help work on his family farm because his brothers went to battle in the Vietnam war. Even though he was a high school drop out he was still one of the smartest people that I knew. He did not let his lack of school get in the way of gaining a life education. Ralph was able to take his life knowledge and couple it with his greatest strength - simple hard work. That ability helped him be the best “Ralph” at everything he did. He taught me how to look at all of the small details of a job and make them important. But more importantly he taught me to put others first, to never get an ego and know how to treat others with kindness. Some other principles I will always remember are:
- Always be on time. The biggest disrespect you can give is to not respect others time or make your time more important. He would say the most valuable thing we have is time. Seems even more important this year.
- Get up and work hard everyday. Everyday I would hear him leaving for work at 2 or 3 am. It was a lesson in excellence; he always preached over and over - to started early and work hard and be grateful that you are given that opportunity.
- Always take time to help your friends and neighbors. My dad was a person that everyone knew they could count on. He was never to busy to help a friend in need or stop by to visit. He took time to help his elders and listen to their stories. But more importantly to keep those memories alive as he would pass that knowledge on.
I once saw a show that talked about the culture of the Ancient Egyptians and how they believed that people actually die two times. The first time is when the body stops breathing, which for my dad took place this year. The second time is when people stop remembering your spirit and soul.
Going forward, Fathers Day for me will be about thinking and living like my dad to make sure that his spirit and soul live on through those experiences and memories I talked about above. Fathers day is built on the spirit that we take care of our fathers and celebrate them in a living state. But if we think like the ancient Egyptians we should make sure we are taking the time to remember and refocus yourself on the lessons and experiences you had with fathers of the past and keeping their soul and spirit alive.
Aaron Schmitt
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Dad,
Not a day goes by that we don’t think of you. The love you had for mom and us 9 kids was evident throughout your life. You were always there when we needed you. Being a busy farmer, there was not a lot of down time, but you always made time for us and always made us feel special.
Your smile - mischievous and sincere - was always on your face. There was always a friend to be made when you were around a group of people. The door was always open at your home for family and friends.
Throughout our lives you taught us kindness, hard work, prayer, love and selflessness along with many other life lessons.
As you wished, your journey to see Mom and the Lord took place at Quiet Oaks. As tough as it was, you still stayed positive, you cared about us more than yourself. You had us laughing and enjoying the journey with you. When we thought the end was near, your eyes would pop open and your famous words “Let’s Go” were said. Off we went, pushing you in the chair, cruising through the halls and outside the house singing and dancing. You taught us to be happy and enjoy life and ‘who cares what other people think’.
Dad, you are missed more that you could imagine. Thank you for being you. We were so blessed to have you as our dad!
Hugs and Love,
Ernie Popp’s children
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Hope Floats: Honoring Linda Haggberg
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On Friday, June 12,
2020 the staff had a ceremony in memory of Linda Haggberg. We blew bubbles and released rubber ducks into the pond. With funerals being at a limited capacity, the staff wanted to do something to honor her stay with us. We will miss her thoughtfulness and quick wit!
A special thank you to Midwest Coin Concepts for their generosity by donating the rubber ducks!
The staff looked everywhere and they were no where to be found! Who knew there is also a shortage of rubber ducks? 🐥🐤🐣
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Q: How do you determine the price
of a hammer?
A: Per pound
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QUIET OAKS HOSPICE HOUSE VIRTUAL TOUR
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To view tour, click on the button below and use your cursor or your finger to
click on the white circles. Each circle will lead you through the house. ENJOY!
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If you're thinking about donating to Quiet Oaks and would prefer to donate items instead of money, here is a list of things Quiet Oaks needs. Please call (320)255-5433 or email before purchasing to make sure the item has not been purchased already. THANK YOU!
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Heidi Erickson
LPN
I've been at Quiet Oaks since it opened in 2008.
I am drawn to hospice as it fits my desire to keep family/friends connected and supported throughout all of life's journey. Being at Quiet Oaks has allowed me to explore my gifts as a nurse and massage therapist (healing touch).
I enjoy golfing, biking, hiking and cabin time with the ones I love!!!!
I am blessed to be part of the Quiet Oaks family.
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Pictured above: Heidi Erickson
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Jim & Kathy Wyant
Kitchen Volunteers
Jim and I have lived in Minnesota since college but we both spent our childhood in the West, Jim in Colorado, and me in Montana. We met at Colorado State University. We moved to St. Cloud in the fall of 1979 and raised our three children here. Jim was an attorney at Rinke Noonan Law Firm. I was a stay at home mom but had an interior design consulting business for a while before I became a teacher. Now we are both retired and enjoy spending as much time as possible with our children, their spouses, and our two grandchildren, (another on the way)!
In a normal year, we would be going to live concerts with our kids in Minneapolis. We all enjoy sharing the love of music. Jim and I also like to hike, fly fish, and enjoy the out of doors in as many ways as possible. Jim is in his element in the summer taking care of our yard and gardens. I like to make pottery and hone my skills on my wheel at home. I also like to sew and bake. Along with other volunteer activities, we are both active in our church and the Episcopal House of Prayer.
We fell in love with Quiet Oaks when my younger brother came to live there five years ago. He was developmentally disabled and lived at Camphill Village in Sauk Centre for most of his adult life. Quiet Oaks was just like home to him although he didn't have to do any work! He was fortunate to live at Quiet Oaks for six months and during that time the staff, volunteers, and other residents became like family. Dan was loved and embraced by all and he was blessed to be able to live his life to the fullest until the end. We decided then that when we retired Quiet Oaks would be the place we wanted to devote some of our time. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to be one of the Quiet Oaks family and we hope to share the special hospitality the house is known for with the family of friends and strangers alike.
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Although we're limiting people in the house right now, please don't hesitate to fill out a volunteer application. When we resume our normal activities, we'll give you a call to set up a volunteer orientation time. Thank you!
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QUIET OAKS FEATURED EVENT
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Sunday, July 26, 2:30pm
Although we cannot gather in person, we can together in spirit.
To reserve butterflies, register online now. The butterfly pickup will be Sunday morning and directions will be sent via email. Butterflies will include a reflection and reading for your private butterfly release. If you prefer not to pick up your butterflies, the nurses and staff at Quiet Oaks will honor your loved ones with a release of butterflies at 2:30pm at Quiet Oaks Hospice House. Watch Facebook for a live event.
Proceeds will go towards compassionate funds supplementing the
cost of resident care at Quiet Oaks.
YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!
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Click here to see this event
info
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ONGOING COMMUNITY SPONSORS
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Please support these local businesses
that so kindly support Quiet Oaks!
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Safety for our residents, families, staff and volunteers is our first priority and we just wanted to let everyone know that Quiet Oaks is taking all the recommended CDC precautions to keep everyone safe. We will continue to follow all CDC recommendations and will integrate all measures as needed. Please keep Quiet Oak and everyone across the globe in your prayers.
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Linda Allen, Executive Director
(320)255-5433, ext 11
Ginny Green, Director of Nursing
(320)255-5433, ext 28
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