Cards keep nurses together

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A Wednesday noon lunch and afternoon "500" card games are the glue that has kept a group of retired nurses together for 55 years.

Lillian Williams, Delila Menk, Laneta Havemeier, Betty Mecklenburg, Joyce Mecklenburg and Bernice Lowe met for cards last Wednesday at Lowe's Ridgeway On German apartment. Margaret Brown usually joins the group but she wasn't able join the group last Wednesday.

The women took nurses training together, often had children at about the same time and worked at Union and Loretto Hospitals in New Ulm.

They seemed to be enjoying themselves Wednesday at Lowe's apartment.

"We're retired, happy and still having fun and gossiping, enjoying each other's company like we have for 54 years," said Joyce Mecklenburg.

Assisted living seems to suit them well. The women feel the elderly have a better lifestyle now than they did 50 years ago.

Bingo games are played three times a week. Residents didn't have to leave the building for voting ballots, flu shots, or even church services this fall.

They have fond memories of blizzards in 1965 and 1975. During those storms, the women were driven to work by police officers on snowmobiles and had to stay on hospital duty for up to three consecutive days.

"We slept at the hospital in our uniforms," said Joyce Mecklenburg. "Fifth North was closed due to the blowing and drifting snow. Snowmobiles were the only way to work. I remember being told not to open my eyes and keep my head down, out of the wind, because it was so cold."

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com