Lutheran Homes of Michigan, Inc.
Year 2002 Volunteers of the Year
Scroll through to read information about all our special Volunteers or click on the links below to go directly to the one you want to learn more about.
Marlett Grueber- Frankenmuth Home
Marlett Grueber first began volunteering at the Lutheran Home - Frankenmuth in 1975.
For the past 27 years, Marlett has volunteered in a variety of positions. However, ever since she began volunteering, Marlett has always helped in the beauty shop. Each Thursday morning, like clockwork, Marlett helps residents feel good about themselves and the way they look by helping in our Beauty Shop. Marlett is always anxious to keep active. Recently, she added an additional volunteer duty - weekly Lutheran chapel service volunteer.
She is also an instrumental member of the Lutheran Home Ladies Auxiliary, having held a variety of elected officer positions on their Board. Although Marlett has previously held the position of Auxiliary President, she currently is their 1st Vice President.
Marlett has 6 children, Karen, Roxanne, Gail, Tim, Bruce, and Lynn. She is very supportive and active in the lives of her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Marlett is a member of St. Lorenz Church, involved in the Ladies Aid, bible class, and previously in the choir. In addition to the 2-3 days spent at the Lutheran Home, Marlett has a very hectic schedule that includes church activities, caring for great-grandchildren, traveling, coordinating auxiliary events, and entertaining friends and family.
Tender-hearted, hard worker, and dedicated are but a few words to describe Marlett and what she means to the residents, staff, and family members here at the Lutheran Home. Her many hours of volunteering has a great impact on the lives of all Lutheran Home - Frankenmuth residents and employees. We are truly blessed to have Marlett share a portion of her valuable time with us.
Beverly Erickson- Lutheran Home - Livonia
Beverly Erickson was a long time member of Holy Cross Lutheran before becoming a current member of Salem National, Westland. She has been married to Don for over 50 years and has raised six children. She has much experience in long term care as she took care of both her mother and mother inlaw in her home till they passed away. She has volunteered at Livonia since the doors opened over three years ago. She volunteers twice a week in the Special Care Unit working with residents that have memory loss and dementia. She volunteers on the skilled side of the building serving the frail elderly in assisting with the Bingo games and monthly birthday parties, as well as many other activities. She continues to share her talents, gifts, and treasures with the residents and travels on field trips.
Shirley Boos - Lutheran Home - Monroe
Shirley Boos is a Monroe native and was an only child. She attended a boarding school for most of her early education and was a friendly, outgoing child.
She is married to Frank and they have two daughters, Kathy and Mary, and 8 grandchildren. They have truly enjoyed an active household throughout the years with Shirley's outgoing personality. She continues to be employed by Martins Shoe House as accountant, where she has worked for 37 years.
Shirley was a Sunday school teacher at Trinity Lutheran Church for ten years, where she continues to volunteer and use her many God-given talents. Shirley and Frank have been members at Trinity since 1963.
The Lutheran Home is now blessed with this wonderful burst of sunshine each weekend as Shirley returns to assist with the scheduled group activity in the afternoon. Her enthusiasm radiates as she assists Fran Jessop, the activity aide. Whether its escorting residents to activities, calling Bingo numbers, serving refreshments, recruiting and training other volunteers, or shopping for game prizes, her spirit and joy is evident. Her husband, Frank, also a volunteer, often accompanies her for these weekend events, and he has contributed 189 hours of service last year.
The residents feel Shirley's high energy, and they have appropriately awarded her the name of "Mrs. Bingo", a title that has been well earned! We are indeed proud of her and tremendously grateful for her dedication. In the year 2001, she has volunteered 319 hours, serving the Lord through the residents of the Lutheran Home every Saturday and Sunday.
Rebecca Demsich and Kari Schiefer - LHCA Volunteers of the Year
Rebecca Demsich and Kari Schiefer are two of our High School student volunteers.
Both young women possess true hospice hearts. Since completing their volunteer training in February of 2001, both have been involved in various volunteer activities.
Rebecca and Kari accepted a volunteer assignment to provide respite and companionship to a patient and his wife through the last months of the patient's life. They agreed to follow the couple from Independence Village to a nursing home facility as to continue the support that they had been providing. The volunteers spent time with the patient's wife, playing cards, making holiday decorations to display in their room, playing board games, taking walks or just visiting. During the time that they spent with the patient's wife, the patient was free to read the paper, take a nap or simply rest, knowing that his wife was in good hands.
Since the death of the patient, these young women have willingly accepted new roles as Bereavement Volunteers to provide grief support to the wife. In both of these roles, these young women have proven to be competent, sincere, empathetic and very reliable. This continuation of care and involvement on the part of these volunteers, helps to demonstrate one of the reasons that we feel they are most deserving of this honor, to be named volunteers of the year.
Despite their very busy High School and extra-curricular activities, both also find the time to attend on-going agency in-services, and participate in various fund-raising events and campaigns for our Hospice program.
Lutheran Home Care Hospice of Hope would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to Rebecca and Kari; our agency and the families we serve are truly blessed to have such committed and caring volunteers!!