JoAnn Schladweiler retired  from Prairie View Healthcare Center in Woonsocket after a nearly 35 year nursing career at the facility. She has worked in healthcare for a total of 54 years.  

JoAnn grew up on the family farm near Farmer with eight siblings and parents, Irene and Steve Schladweiler. JoAnn’s mother also worked for many years in healthcare.

The family moved to Mitchell in 1968 where JoAnn finished her last two years of high school, graduating from MHS in 1970.  She started working in healthcare just before  her senior year of high school in July of 1969. JoAnn had  joined the Distributive Education Club of America (DECA) through school.  In DECA, you have to complete the rest of the required classes for credit along with being employed at a job you were graded on and received a salary. JoAnn saved enough money to pay for her tuition at Mitchell Vo-Tech and earned a degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse.    

JoAnn’s first healthcare job was through DECA. She worked the 2-7 p.m. shift as a nurse’s aide at St. Joseph’s Hospital (now Queen of Peace). After having  completed the required courses at Vo-Tech, JoAnn graduated as an LPN in 1971. There were 40 students in her graduating class and not many LPN positions available at that time. JoAnn did work for a few months as an LPN at Saint Joseph’s Hospital and after that started working in long term healthcare facilities.  

JoAnn’s first long term care facility LPN position was at Hocking Home on West 3rd Street  in Mitchell. The home was sold to David and Pat Miles with the name being changed in honor of David’s grandparents to become Wilge Memorial Home. With the Miles’ as managers, JoAnn was the only nurse there.  She served as Director of Nursing with a Registered Nurse consultant. The Wilge Home relocated to a new building on East 6th Street by Firesteel (Golden Age Home). Where JoAnn worked retained the name, Wilge Memorial Home. The Wilge Home was eventually sold to Avera.

A life changing opportunity arose for JoAnn when her friend and former employer, Pat Miles, and her new husband, Skip Thorson, the newly appointed administrator of Prairie View, offered JoAnn a nursing position. They invited JoAnn to the long term care center in Woonsocket to see the new place where they were employed. She visited and liked what she saw. Two weeks later, an LPN position became available and JoAnn accepted the job working evenings and nights beginning Nov. 28, 1988. This was the start of JoAnn’s long career at Prairie View.   

In 2004, JoAnn was the recipient of the South Dakota Long Term Health Care Association’s Millie Award for excellent service. JoAnn commented that working in long term health care takes hard work and dedication but has its rewards. The rewards are the smiles, laughter, and appreciation from the residents you have helped at critical times in their lives.  

When asked her retirement plans, JoAnn said she is enjoying the free time she never had before.  Future plans  include participating in church activities, socializing with friends and family,  and doing some traveling.

Woonsocket – Horizon Health Care’s Woonsocket Community Health Center has partnered with the business community of Woonsocket to create a Woman’s Day on Dec. 9. Grab a friend and “Fill Your Cup,” to refresh your mind, body, and soul.  

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 107 S. Dumont Avenue in Woonsocket, home of The Muddy Cup coffee shop. 

“We know the holiday season can be stressful with everything there is to do, and expectations women want to fulfill for their families,” said Horizon provider Katlyn Rostyne, CNP. “We want to offer a fun day of relaxing, inspiration, spending time with friends and enjoying all that the business community of Woonsocket has to offer.” 

Inspirational speaker Charlotte Henley’s presentation “Fill Your Cup” will begin at 11 a.m. and end at noon. Henley has worked as a fitness trainer, community facilitator, and college professor. Through that experience, she developed expertise in wellness, leadership, team building, group facilitation, positive psychology, personality traits and active learning. 

“All of my keynotes and workshops, regardless of topic, reflect one basic theme; the human spirit thrives when surrounded by positive energy,” Henley said on her website. “The more positive energy you generate the more joy will come to your life.” 

Along with Henley’s presentation, there are a variety of special activities planned to include: 

• A floral activity/holiday centerpiece activity from  Ranchy Stems that attendees can participate in at 10 a.m. and noon. There are six spots available per session. The cost for the activity is $37 to include tax. A post on the Facebook event at https://fb.me/e/32988WMYY  has the Venmo QR code information to register to make the centerpiece;

• Boutique specials;

• Drink specials;

• Wine tastings and bottle sales from the Cornerpost Winehouse from noon to 2 p.m.;

• Specials from Revive Massage & Wellness, please call 605-461-9815 to schedule;

• Donated door prizes will be given away throughout the event. 

Event organizers are giving away a gift basket. Anyone pre-registered by Dec. 1 will be entered into the drawing. There is also a $5 discount to pre-register. The event fee is $25 for those who pre-register and $30 the day of the event. The registration fee includes the gift of an event cup. Check out the Facebook Event on Horizon’s Central Region page to register: https://fb.me/e/32988WMYY.

Participating businesses include: RG Beauty & Body Spa, IrmaLea Fields, Small Town Photography, Dumont Boutique & Company, Cornerpost Winehouse, Ranchy Stems, Tag Photography, Hair by K.B., Revive Massage & Wellness, CreativeWEB, Back 9, Rustic Razor, MA Studios, Muddy Cup and J.VonEye Images. 

“We hope everyone will come out to see what these businesses have to offer and enjoy fun, fellowship, and community at our ‘Fill Your Cup’ event,” Rostyne said.