New Le Roy retirement facility administrator looks to foster a sense of togetherness “They give 100% here all of the time. I can’t believe the number of volunteers that do things here.”
said. “I would bring the kids down here to do decorations and other activities with the residents. I just have been here long enough that I’ve gotten to know some of the older gals in town, and it’s so nice that they A new administrator has joined the ranks at the Wildwood Grove Reknow me. I think that familiarity is really important.” tirement and Assisted Living Facility in Le Roy, and she is eager to foster a Whalen’s familiarity doesn’t stop with knowing the residents. Her warm and inviting environment for her colleagues, residents and fellow mother had been in assisted living for eight years and recently moved community members. into a nursing home, so Whalen can relate with families on the other Diane Whalen is native to Rochester but has called Le Roy home for side of the coin. the last eight years. Upon first moving to the area, she worked for the Le “I’ve seen the side of the family perspective,” she explained. “I think Roy-Ostrander Public School District first in school-aged childcare, then that helps me in relating to people who are here … and seeing the resiin early childhood and family education. Prior to her move, she worked dents and getting to know who they are. I find that to be so important, I in the 4-H department for University of Minnesota Extension. Diane Whalen think from experience with my mom.” In a lucky break, Whalen and the assisted living facility were both Whalen has been in the assisted living field before. She worked at the looking for a change. Whalen liked working with youth, but was ready Mower County Senior Center and a local elementary school in the 80s; while the adminfor a full-time opportunity. At the same time, Wildwood needed an administrator that istrator jokes that she only works with the young or the old and no in-between, she says was local to Le Roy and dedicated to its community. that the Le Roy community has been amazing no matter the age. “I know a lot of the residents from when I worked in school-aged childcare,” Whalen By Savannah Howe
Pictured (left to right): Jill Megraw, Vilma Linderman, Anne Prigge, Jan Dolhman, Katie Pavlovec, Diane Whalen, Dawn Brossard, Tammy Loecher, Kari Mensink, R.N., Director of Clinical Services and Ashley Kulish. Wildwood currently has 50 employees. Photos by Axel Gumbel, DCI 90 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2022 ily Herald | Progress 2021
