Five years ago the Board of Directors of St. Joseph’s authorized the Mission Committee of the Board to initiate an ongoing award program. The Neighbors Caring for Neighbors award represents an annual recognition of a member or group of people of our community that has demonstrated through their work in our community that even in today’s busy times we still care for our neighbors. The first four recipients of the award were Dr. Steve Dorow, Lois Kouba, Alfred Zmolek, and the Heding Family-Gary, Scott and Carol.

The year the Mission Committee has chosen the Millards Prairie HCE – home-community-educators.  Millards Prairie was formed around 50 years ago by a group of ladies that lived on Millards Prairie on County Road W near Elroy.  Today there are 16 members that come from Elroy, Wonewoc, Norwalk, Hillsboro, Kendall, Mauston and LaValle.  The ladies take turns meeting at each others home once a month to hold a meeting, share their latest “works of art” in their quilt projects, and enjoy each others company.

Millards Prairie HCE supports St. Joseph’s Community Health Services by making and donating baby blankets, quilts and caps for all newborns, as well as lap blankets for St. Joseph’s Nursing Home residents.  They truly are ‘neighbors caring for neighbors”.

St. Joseph’s thanks the ladies of Millards Prairie HCE and we

hope to continue working with you in many years to come!

Neighbors Caring For Neighbors Award 2005

The neighbors caring for neighbors award was conceived and implemented as a way for the Mission Committee of St. Joseph’s to recognize both individuals and groups for their support and dedication to the health and welfare of our hill country community. The award, given annually, is the result of local nominations throughout the year from residents of our local communities we serve. This year’s award winner has been a part of our community nearly as long as St. Joseph’s. Like St. Joseph’s they have seen many seasons come and go yet continue to be there for our community when needed.

But first some history about a sponsor of our annual golf outing…

Long before there was a golf course located in Union Center, WI, at the intersection of State Highway “80” “82” & "33”, dairy and beef cattle pastured on the ground we now call “Spring Valley”.

Sometime in the mid 1950's the Heding family, Father Harry W, sons Harry G. and Don, came up with the idea to build a 9 hole golf course on the site. Architect Eldred Anderson from the Milwaukee area was hired to layout the course and in the summer of 1959 Elgin Herbeck of Hillsboro began pushing dirt, transforming the Baraboo River bottom into a challenging and intriguing 9 hole golf course. The course opened on July 10, 1960, with Don and his wife Geraldean (who we all know as Gary) as the management team, cook, bartenders, golf course maintenance personnel, host and hostess. The layout consisted of a small bar/restaurant/pro shop combination, 9 holes of golf, with the old dairy barn converted into an equipment storage building.

Harry W. Heding’s home sat in the middle of the course, (which today serves as Gary’s home). In 1975 the club house was completely renovated and the size of the building doubled. Shortly thereafter, Don and Gary’s youngest son, Scott, joined the management team as head of golf course maintenance, part time chef and host. In the spring of 1981 disaster struck with fire burning the clubhouse beyond repair. It was rebuilt as it sets today by the end of the year.

On January 23, 1983, the patriarch of the Heding family, Harry W. Heding passed away. For years Harry enjoyed mowing the fairways, fishing trout on the Baraboo river, and meeting the various golfers from around the Midwest that passed by his front door.

In 1985 Scott married Carol Holak-Sake. Carol became an active member of the Spring Valley “team” also wearing many hats with the rest of the family.  One of her many talents include an eye for landscaping. The small rock gardens, the flowers, and tasteful shrubs that occasionally frustrate all golfers are the result of Carol’s hard work and imagination.

After Don’s passing in 1997 and Harry G’s in 2002 Gary, Scott and Carol continue the Heding Legacy today, 45 years after the golf course opened.

They are truly dedicated to serving the needs of their many beloved friends and customers. Among them are the Board, medical staff, employees and patrons of St. Joseph’s, including Dr. Roy Balder and everyone here today, golfers and friends. Their list of community support is long but we are especially grateful for the donation of the golf course for our annual outing and their ongoing support of a kind word and encouragement as we continue to build for our future.

As you may have guessed, with this history of service, friendship and support the recipient of the 2005 Neighbors Caring for Neighbors award is the Spring Valley Course leadership team: Gary, Scott and Carol Heding. We truly appreciate their support of our community to enhancing our quality of life, being great neighbors and people that encourage everyone to live life to its fullest!

Neighbors Caring For Neighbors Award 2004

Three years ago the Board of Directors of St. Josephs authorized the Mission Committee of the Board to initiate an ongoing award program. The Neighbors Caring for Neighbors award represents an annual recognition of a member of our community that has demonstrated through their work in our community that even in today’s busy times we still care for our neighbors. The first two recipients of the award were Dr. Steve Dorow and Lois Kouba. Tonight we are honoring our third recipient of this award.  As you might suspect, we would like to share a bit about this year’s recipient.

This person grew up near an Indian reservation, which surely contributed to his all American perspective! In his youth he served our country in Europe during WWII. After returning home he completed his education and settled into a career of innovation, invention and leadership. He is well known for being a key to the long term success of a local business.

Although these are truly great accomplishments there are other fine qualities that we should also mention…

·         Is considered a “Sweetie” by his social peers.

·         Is well traveled. He once participated in a vacation that got as far as Union Center!

·         Is a self professed craftsman of wood, TV repair and other household gadgets that many would have tossed for a newer model.

·         Is known throughout the community as a neighbor that can be counted on to keep the local school grounds tidy and pleasing to all who pass by.

·         We are told he is loved by everyone; well nearly everyone. After all there was this requirement that in order to become a member of the family prospective sons/daughters in law had to experience the texture, flavor and gastric tolerance of his culinary inventions. Of course we were not able to find any of those that wouldn’t; we suspect they remain undernourished!

·         Takes a group of local citizens to dinner every week, unless a summer sports activity is scheduled, in which case has them go on their own…

·         Is a great gardener. It is rumored that the Amish even take lessons on how to grow perfectly “round” cucumbers, you know, the variety that nobody wants along with so many tomatoes that the local market price goes down when word of his spring planting in known.

·         Was a close friend of Roy, Wally, John and Bob; they spent many meaningful hours in “meetings” discussing matters of great importance to mankind, like building a gate for a deck.

·         Is renowned for major design of huge “pillared” structures and other projects that rival the grandeur of St. Peter’s Cathedral at the Vatican… on napkins.

·         Is rumored to be related to the Maytag Man.

Although these accomplishments are great on their own and we could continue for hours with this litany of knowledge, service, and caring our goal is to recognize a great humanitarian who found time to participate in the growth and development of our local hospital.  You see, this person served our community on hospital related Boards from 1983 through 2002.  We did a detailed audit of the records and found his attendance listed at nearly 400 Board and Board committee meetings; missing only those votes with ballots that were kept on file…And he continues his work to support our community and St. Joseph’s Foundation with his own raffle.

Yes, you have guessed it.  This year’s Neighbors Caring for Neighbors award goes to Al Zmolek. Please join me in a round of applause to recognize Al for giving so much to our community; and in thanks to his wife, Joy, and family for their support of his commitment.

Neighbors Caring For Neighbors Award 2003

The Neighbors Caring for Neighbors Award was created in 2002 to honor an individual or group of individuals for making a contribution to the health of our community, with a long term, consistent effort.  The first recipient of the award was Dr. Steve Dorow.

Sometimes it is very good fortune that shines on a community like Hillsboro.  Some of those who contribute great kindness and beauty weren’t born here, but arrived on the wings of chance.  This year’s recipient of the Neighbors Caring for Neighbors Award, like Dr. Dorow, is just such a person.  If Miss Kronschnabel hadn’t attended Milwaukee State Teachers’ College and met the love of her life through her roommate, she might have never have come to his hometown of Hillsboro. 

Our recipient was born in Oshkosh and moved many times, following her father’s promotions with the Standard Oil Company, before the family settled in Manitowoc during her elementary and high school years.  Along with her other studies, many hours each week were devoted to music lessons, theory and harmony, piano and voice.  She appeared in recitals, sang for many organizations, concerts, and churches, sang the soprano lead in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado in high school, and even had a radio program singing solos and duets with a male singer; she accompanied all their music.

Her sweetheart, who had a great interest in geology, was studying engineering at Marquette University, when he learned that a business in his hometown was available for sale.  After marrying in 1950, he and the former Miss Kronschnabel made Hillsboro their home and started a business together, and she started her music work.  Over the years she has taught more than 350 students piano and organ, worked with the church choir, played organ and sang for many weddings and funerals.

Her volunteer music work for St. Joe’s began at least twenty years ago with a rhythm band; she plays every type of music and tempo while they play their instruments.

The business she and her late-husband founded is still thriving, she continues to teach and serve the community, and very soon she will celebrate her seventy-fifth birthday surrounded by family and many friends.  

The Mission Committee received ten nominations for nine individuals for the 2003 Neighbors Caring for Neighbors Award.  Our recipient is Lois Kouba.  She says, “Larry and I had a good life and I’m thankful for everything.” 

We want you to know that we are thankful for you, and wish to recognize your many contributions by giving you this plaque in honor of the award.

By Sharyn Richardson, St. Joseph’s Mission Committee Chair

Neighbors Caring For Neighbors Award 2002

Steven K. Dorow, M.D.

In Grateful Appreciation of

Dr. Dorow’s service to the physical,

mental and spiritual health of those

in the Hill Country Community.

Board of Directors

St. Joseph’s Community Health Services

| About St Joseph's | Our Services | Meet Our Medical Staff | Career Opportunities |

| Volunteer Services | Auxiliary | Foundation | Electronic Library |  Community Education | Employee News|

| Birth Center | Links |  Privacy Policy

For more information, please contact:

St. Joseph's Community Health Services
400 Water Avenue
P.O. Box 527
Hillsboro, Wisconsin 54634

email kcoblentz@stjhealthcare.org

kmccoic@stjhealthcare.org
(608) 489-8000