News: Colby – Colonial House Dedication (Aug 1970)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hommel, Rushman, Imhoff, Pffeferkorn, Krueger, Becherer, Suckow, Loiselle, Scidmore

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 20 Aug 1970

Some 500 person attended an open house Sunday at the area's newest service facility, the Colonial House of Colby.

Construction has been completed on the new 49 bed nursing home, and it was opened to the public for viewing on Sunday.

An informal dedication was held during a flag ceremony Sunday.

Colby mayor Lloyd Scidmore was presented flag donated by the Colby VFW, which was raised over the building.

Dr. William Hommel of Madison, president of Colonial Village, which operates the home, also spoke during the ceremony. Father Francis Rushman of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Colby, gave the invocation.

The VFW color guard also took part in the ceremony.

James Imhoff of the Imhoff Company of Deerfield, general contractors, was present for the open house, but did not participate in the ceremony.

The project actually began some time ago, when a survey was made of the area. A site was finally chosen on the northwest side of Colby on land which was donated by Dr. E.D. Pffeferkorn.

Construction was begun under the Imhoff Company as general contractor, in April.

Colonial Village Ltd. Is the parent corporation for the operation of the nursing home, which is known as the Colonial House of Colby.

Mrs. Russell Krueger, route 1, Unity, has been selected as the administrator of the home. She is a native of the area, the former Mary Becherer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Becherer of rural Colby, and is a graduate of Colby High School.

She had been previously employed at St. Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, in a coronary care unit.

Director of nursing is Mrs. Eldred Suckow, also of rural Unity. She, too, had been employed at St. Joseph's Hospital, in diagnostic work.

The staff numbers about 30, and is now virtually complete.

Assisting with the operation for the first few months will be Clifford Loiselle of Madison, director of operations for Colonial Village.

The nursing home has a capacity of 49 beds. There is one room for isolation and intensive care, and some of the other rooms can be used as private rooms.

Most, however, are double rooms. They are warmly furnished with wooden beds and wooden decorations, gaily colored print draperies and bright bedspreads.

Most bathrooms are shared by two rooms.

Another of the attractive features are a large living room and lobby, and a connecting dining area. The living room is carpeted and has comfortable furniture for lounging, reading and viewing television.

A color TV has been donated by the Security State Bank for use by residents.

Meals are served in a brightly lighted dining area, with an adjoining kitchen. All rooms have views of undeveloped land and the countryside in the area.

Another rooms for resident use is set aside for physical and occupational therapy, games, lounging and a variety of other uses.

A separate room is provided for barber shop and beauty salon use, with outside persons probably coming in for the services.

Laundry will also be done on the premises, for both linen and other uses of the home, and for personal clothing of the residents, which is part of the service provided.

Other facilities include a medical examination room, office employees lounge, storage for all medications to be administered to residents and various storage facilities.

The building is fireproof, with doors that close automatically. It is also completely air conditioned, and has hot water heat, with a separate thermostat for each room.