The “Hats Off to Dads” event honored fathers and grandfathers.

LaVonne and Kenneth Portner were among those attending. The couple, married 66 years, farmed between New Ulm and Hanska. LaVonne is a resident at Oak Hills while Kenneth lives in his own home and visits her daily.

“We all worked together as a team,” LaVonne said of their farming days.

Their oldest son Bradley milked cows until he was 50. He had to quit milking after knee replacements. These days he operates an expanded farm with about 300 head of cattle.

Greg Whelan, Louis Christiansen, Rachel Becker and John Hacker enjoy the afternoon. (Photo by Amy Zents)

His dad Kenneth still likes to go back to the farm for rhubarb and other favorites.

Earlier in the day, residents played bingo. The Portners enjoyed playing bingo together. LaVonne said she won a game, but Kenneth could not call bingo because he is not a resident.

“That’s the only thing we can do together now,” Kenneth said.

Jerry Oman drove from Mankato on his day off to spend time with his father, Ted Oman, a retired Minnesota highway patrolman.

“I have the day off from my work with the state, so I made the trip up from Mankato to be here,” Jerry said.

Oman spoke of a different era in law enforcement. “It was different then. You didn’t have a target on your back,” he said.

Jane Walsh has volunteered at Oak Hills for nearly three years. She helps with activities, the beauty shop and social hours on Wednesdays and Fridays.

“The first thing I noticed was everybody knew everybody’s name, and they call everyone by their name,” Walsh said. “I just think that’s so important.”

Staff and volunteers kept the event running smoothly.

Employees Connie Bestland, Sarah Schauman and Caroll Flygare, along with activities aides Kayla Martin, McKenna Le Gare and Jersey Haugen, helped with the afternoon.

Le Gare described their typical shift: “Our day-to-day is from 3:30 to 7:30. Around 4:15 we usually play a card game or board game with them. Then after supper we have another activity. Sometimes it’s bingo, sometimes another card game.”

Rachel Becker, director of therapeutic recreation and volunteer coordinator, said families were invited to join the event.

Becker said the center aims to create a living environment where people can function at their highest level. “We want people to have good quality of life,” she said.

Becker added that the job comes with many responsibilities.

“I’m pretty much eight to five, but I’m on call seven days a week,” she explained. “It’s a busy job with lots of hats, but it’s very rewarding. There is a certain type of person that works here, and we all become like family.”

Walsh said she keeps returning to volunteer because of the people. “I really enjoy it here,” she said.

Sarah Schauman, life enrichment coordinator said the Father’s Day celebration gave residents a chance to be honored and families an opportunity to connect.

“Events like this are an important part of daily life at Oak Hills,” Schauman said.

Oak Hills Living Center is hosting its annual Ice Cream Social Wednesday evening as a key fundraiser for a new resident transportation bus.

“The center is currently about $13,000 short of its goal,” said Candace Schouvieller, CEO and administrator.

The ice cream social is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. outside Oak Hills Living Center and will feature live music from the New Ulm Municipal Band. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

The ice cream social is expected to be the final push to complete funding for the bus, which will improve outings for residents.