Residents of the Oak Hills Living Center, indeed, all of New Ulm, owes a debt of gratitude to Joe Ramnarine, who died June 8 at the age of 86. Ramnarine was the administrator of the Highland Manor nursing home in New Ulm back in the 1990s. He knew the facility was too old, too uncomfortable and our senior citizens deserved better. He led the push to build the new facility that is now Oak Hills Living Center.

Ramnarine would take anyone and everyone through Highland Manor, show them the narrow corridors crowded with wheel chairs and carts, point out the lack of air conditioning in the rooms and the narrow stairway to the basement where food for the kitchen was stored.

When Oak Hills was built in 1995, he served as administrator, helping create a residence with a homelike atmosphere, an atmosphere that continues today. He did it with smiles for all, and genuine caring and concern for the residents. His impact on New Ulm can never be fully measured.