Oakwood Village - Dedication...Oakwood Village back in 1980, she said it felt just like coming home. Erna surely wasn’t the first Oakwood resident to utter those words. But in her

OutlookO A K W O O D

News from Oakwood Lutheran Senior Ministries

FA L L 2018

DedicationMany of Oakwood's best staff view work as a calling and care deeply about

the people they serve and the people they work with on a daily basis. At Oakwood, leadership and staff are dedicated to providing superior

service. Much the same way, residents quickly become dedicated to one another and building community at Oakwood.

Vogel Family'sLasting Legacy

2

Dining ProgramTransformation

6

Wally and Peggy Douma

22

also in this issue:

12 Meet Board Member

Calvin Williams

14 St. James

Lutheran Church

16 Staff Spotlights

18 Prairie Ridge

Assisted Living Apartments

Now Accepting Reservations

25 JP Cullen

Community Partner Spotlight

26 Donors Continue to

Add Improvements to the

Prairie Ridge Campus

28 Gifts Come in

Many Forms


F E AT U R E D A R T I C L E S


2 | OAKWOOD OUTLOOK

When Erna Vogel moved into her new place at

Oakwood Village back in 1980, she said it felt just like

coming home. Erna surely wasn’t the first Oakwood

resident to utter those words. But in her case it was,

in fact, a homecoming. Erna and her family had lived

in the same building nearly forty years before.

In 1941, Erna’s husband, George Vogel, acquired the

40-acre property that Oakwood Village University

Woods now sits on when he bought the defunct

Normandale Sanitarium.

Normandale was developed on the hilly, wooded

property in 1928 as a neuro-psychiatric hospital run by

a group of local physicians. The depression took a toll

on the business, and the doctors declared bankruptcy

a dozen years later. The property, buildings and their

contents were sold at sealed-bid auction, and George

Vogel, the owner of a Madison contracting business,

was the successful bidder.

When the deal was completed in 1942, housing was

in short supply, so the Vogel family took up residence

in a portion of the original Hebron Oaks building

where they remained until 1950. Observing the heavily

wooded property, George Vogel changed Normandale’s

name to Oakwood Suburban Hotel Homes, and began

renting cottages and apartments to meet the wartime

and postwar housing demand.

It was a bit surreal to move into the former sanitarium,

according to George’s son David Vogel. David, for

many years, led the family’s Vogel Bros. general

contracting business in the footsteps of his late father.

He was in fifth grade when they moved into their new

residence in 1942.

“When that group of doctors shut down the

Normandale Sanitarium, they left everything in place.

All the medical equipment and so forth. It was like

everyone just walked out the door. It was bizarre,”

David says. “That was the tail end of the depression.

Then the war broke out.”

The Vogel Family's Lasting Legacy

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF OAKWOOD

“The programs at

Oakwood are unbelievable.

We have many friends

who live there.”

FALL 2018 | 3

During World War II, the Vogels rented 6 apartments

and the 6 cottages on the property to military

personnel. While food rationing was going on during

the war, the family raised steers, hogs and chickens

on the property.

“The buildings were mostly heated by coal at that

time,” David says. “By eighth grade, it was my job

to stoke the coal morning and night, and to clean

the boilers on the weekends. I went to a one-room

country school on Gammon Road back then.”

West of the property, there was nothing but farmland,

David recalls.

“Around Whitney Way and Mineral Point Road, there

was some housing, but it was mostly farms. Bancroft

Dairy sat on the property where the University

Research Park is now located.”

During those early years on the property, David’s

father George began talking with fellow members

of downtown Madison’s St. John’s Lutheran Church

about their desire to develop a home for seniors.

Together, they had identified a need for a place for

elderly people. They saw their congregation aging.

And because many members had lost children in the

war, there were concerns about who was going to

care for the aging parents. In 1948, Oakwood Lutheran

Homes Association received is corporate charter.

George sold the property to the church for a fraction

of its value. And in 1950, the church took over the

entire property.

David Vogel served as an Oakwood board member in the 1970s, and the Vogel Family Foundation continues to support Oakwood.

4 | OAKWOOD OUTLOOK

“...these days when

we have families

dispersed across the

country, there is a great

need for communities

like Oakwood.”

“As a church, you look around and you ask ‘what needs

are we facing?’ So these three or four gentlemen made

this deliberate plan to buy the property and start

providing care.”

George Vogel’s generosity didn’t end there. He helped

cover outstanding payments, assisted with day-to-

day management, donated a new oil burner and paid

the fuel bills for the first few years. His philanthropic

ethic was passed down through the generations.

Son David, now 86-years-old, served on the

Oakwood Village Apartments Board of Directors in

the 1970s, and was a leader of a critical fundraising

effort during that decade. He remains active in the

Madison community through church, and he serves

as president of the Vogel Family Foundation which

supports the Oakwood Foundation, among many

other Madison-area organizations.

David’s son Peter, who has taken the helm at Vogel

Bros., is the third generation of Vogels to be actively

involved with Oakwood. Presently, his team consults

with Oakwood as an owner’s representative on

campus construction projects.

“The programs at Oakwood are unbelievable. We have

many friends who live there,” David says. “Families

need to be responsible for each other. But these

days, when we have families dispersed across the

country, there is a great need for communities

like Oakwood.”

FALL 2018 | 5

NEW EXPLORATIONS Oakwood’s Dining Program is in the

Midst of Transformation

Have a Taste!

6 | OAKWOOD OUTLOOK

Maybe it's been awhile. Maybe your last meal

didn’t blow you away. Either way, now is a great time

to explore new foods, old favorites and exciting

menus on the two Oakwood campuses.

That’s right, we said right here at Oakwood. Dining

venues on both campuses are open to the public

for those who want to visit Oakwood residents or

just want to try eating someplace new. Our culinary

services team is implementing innovative ideas,

expanding palates, and embracing the local and

healthy food movement. This is creating interesting,

well-executed meals in a great environment… with

even more options on the way.

John Kaage serves as the Director of Dining Services

at Oakwood Village University Woods, and has also

provided input and support at Prairie Ridge as they

prepare to introduce new dining opportunities as part

of their campus expansion. According to John, two

key changes are driving the current transformation of

Oakwood’s culinary program.

“Whenever possible, we are making the change to á la

minute (made-to-order) cooking and doing away with

bulk production,” John says. Importantly, Oakwood is

investing in the new equipment needed to allow for

these preparation techniques.

The second factor is an emphasis on education and

creating a passion for food among the culinary team,

resulting in a better experience for dining guests.

“We have cooks who are eager to learn, and a generally

young waitstaff. For many of our students, this is their

first job. We have a great opportunity to teach people

who care about and seek to improve their customer

service skills.”

Much of this education is being made possible thanks

to donors to the Oakwood Foundation. A 2018 grant

from the foundation is providing additional resources,

allowing the culinary services team to utilize outside

expertise and coordinate the implementation of an

enviable culinary services program on each campus.

John has recently been collaborating with Dining

Services Director Debra Nehls and Chef Guy Bollfrass

on the Prairie Ridge campus as The Hive Bistro opens

in the spring. John led the opening of the popular

Garden Terrace Bistro at University Woods in 2016.

“Between what we learned opening the Garden Terrace

Bistro, and the equipment ordered at Prairie Ridge,

this new bistro will be really spectacular.”

Hungry? Recent Farm-to-Table Dinners, which emphasize

local and sustainable meats, seafood and produce, have

proved to be extremely popular on Oakwood’s two campuses.

NEW EXPLORATIONS Oakwood’s Dining Program is in the

Midst of Transformation

Have a Taste!

Our culinary services team is implementing innovative

ideas, expanding palates, and embracing the local and

healthy food movement.

FALL 2018 | 7

8 | OAKWOOD OUTLOOK

Chefs (above, left) provide waitstaff with opportunities to sample featured menu items, review allergy and dietary restriction

information and emphasize “table touches” (example shown below, left) in an effort to elevate the dining experience for residents

and guests.

In addition to John, the Culinary Services team at

University Woods consists of Chef Roger Ruch,

and Sous Chefs Tony Jacobson and Dylan Dillman.

The addition of Chef Roger in particular has infused

new energy in the culinary staff. Prior to coming to

Oakwood in 2017, Roger served as a Chef Instructor

for twelve years at the College of Culinary Arts at

Johnson & Wales University in Miami. Consulting

work teaching in Singapore, Belize, Jamaica and the

Bahamas helped Roger appreciate flavors from all

over the world.

“At Johnson & Wales, Roger was on the cutting edge in

food. And when he works with our team, you can tell

he was a teacher. The communication is strong, and

he loves engaging with employees. And we’re finding

employees excited about food as a result.”

Sous vide cooking, an emphasis on local and

sustainable produce, and the introduction of amuse-

bouche are just a few new twists in progress at

Oakwood. Oakwood’s popular Farm-to-Table dinners

are great examples of these principles at work.

It can be hard to get a seat at these meals.

Kato Perlman, an Oakwood resident who serves on

the University Woods Resident Dining Committee,

believes Oakwood still has work to do to be

considered a “high-end” culinary program. However,

she sees the Farm-to-Table dinners as proof that

dining options continue to improve at Oakwood.

“The menu and the food is outstanding.

Those dinners compete with meals at the best

restaurants in Madison.”

“The Baby Boomers

are here. More people

are interested in trying

new things. Fresh, local

food is more important

than ever.”

– JOHN KAAGE

FALL 2018 | 9

A whimsical Farm-to-Table theme this summer was

Bayou-themed, with delicious and innovative portions

of crawfish and crab legs. A recent Wisconsin-themed

dinner featured local honeycomb, a pickled quail

egg, trout from Rushing Waters (Palmyra) and filet

mignon from Wisconsin Meadows Farms in Viroqua.

A number of other special meals have garnered rave

reviews in the past year. You don’t need to be a food

snob to appreciate the additional options. Appetizers

and bar service are available on evenings of outdoor

concerts. A casual backyard barbeque is held twice a

month, featuring barbequed chicken, pork chops, or

burgers and brats. Themed lunch bars – from stir fry, to

pasta bars, to omelet bars – pop up throughout the month.

Many of these additions are new to Oakwood within

the past year, and programming and menu options

will grow at Prairie Ridge following the completion

of the campus expansion effort.

The youth and eagerness of the majority of the

waitstaff is appreciated by residents throughout

Oakwood. Training and education for these valuable

employees has become a point of emphasis.

“For some of our waitstaff, the students, this is their

first job,” explains John. “They haven’t worked in a

restaurant… some rarely go out to nice restaurants.

Some kids are trying some of the food we serve for

the first time.”

To arm waitstaff with the information they need

to excel, the chefs are beginning to implement

“Showtime,” a 15 minute start to the shift where

waitstaff review the menu with the chef, sample

featured menu items, and review allergy and dietary

restriction information. This is combined with

training focused on meal service and frequent

“table touches.”

With dietary restrictions and special diets increasingly

more common, Oakwood is adapting. Dietitians

are on staff on both campuses to serve as a liaison

between residents and culinary services. In addition

to reviewing allergens before meals, the waitstaff

(left to right) Cook Adrian Cisneros, Chef Guy Bollfrass, Dining Services Director Debra Nehls, Sous Chef Tony Jacobson,

Chef Roger Ruch, and Sous Chef Dylan Dillman are among the many team members responsible for the transformation underway

in Oakwood’s Culinary Services program.

10 | OAKWOOD OUTLOOK

reviews options for gluten-free, dairy-free and

garlic-free diets. Restaurant menus include dietitian-

approved symbols offering a variety of á la carte

options for special diets.

The expansion scheduled to be completed this

spring at Prairie Ridge, as well as plans underway for

redevelopment at University Woods, will provide

new opportunities.

According to John, The Hive Bistro at Prairie Ridge “is

going to have very nice equipment. We will be able to

do omelets, bakes, crème brulee, and different specials,

as well as a first-class salad bar.”

Oakwood is also expanding its efforts in the area of

culinary education and entertainment. A program

titled “Eat. Learn. Live.” is being offered to apartment

and assisted living residents, and focuses on healthy

eating for various diets. Discussion on low-sodium

or heart-healthy food choices takes place while a

chef prepares a delicious meal related to the topic

for attendees.

Utilization of demonstration kitchens, allowing

chefs to prepare great food while discussing their

preparation and the fundamentals of cooking, will

increase on both campuses. Plans for food classes

on campus, as well as coffee shops, sports pubs, and

additional venues continue to progress.

Oakwood also has a flexible catering program on

its two campuses, and can offer anything from

multi-course meals to finger foods and appetizers

throughout the day.

Asked what trends are currently driving the evolution

of culinary services at Oakwood, John readily offers

several examples.

“We are incorporating the veg-centric trend (dishes

that may include protein, but the vegetable is the

highlight) into our menus. Bowls – pho bowls, unique

salad bowls – are big right now. The French Bistro

concept continues to work its way from the East Coast.

Any and all coffee options continue to be popular.”

As John shares these trends, his excitement for where

Oakwood is at with its culinary program is obvious.

“The Baby Boomers are here. More people are

interested in trying new things. Fresh, local food is

more important than ever. It’s all about the food.”

FOLLOW CHEF ROGER RUCH ON INSTAGRAM @ROGERRUCH

Images feature food and menus right here at Oakwood.

FALL 2018 | 11

If giving back is a hallmark of a life well-lived,

Calvin Williams has lived well.

Oakwood Lutheran Senior Ministries’ newest board

member has given countless hours of service and

expertise to many organizations. From volunteer roles

at Bethel Lutheran Church to his most visible former

role as President of the Madison Metropolitan Board

of Education, Calvin gives back.

“Church is important to me, family is very important

to me, and I’m someone who just jumps in to help out.

It’s my nature. It’s not complicated. If someone needs

help, I help them,” Calvin says.

Born in Newport, Rhode Island and fond of sailing,

the University of Wisconsin brought Calvin to

Madison. Sailing on the east coast can be a bit pricey,

so Calvin decided Madison would be a good place

to go to school to take advantage of sailing clubs on

Lake Mendota. Over the years, he has taught many

novice sailors. To this day, he is still actively involved

in the Hoofers Sailing Club.

After earning a degree in Physical Anthropology,

he attended medical school for two years, taught

human anatomy and physiology at Madison College

for 26 years, and also instructed emergency medical

technicians and first responders.

Along the way, he became a Red Cross volunteer and

taught CPR and advanced first aid. “I’m grateful to the

Red Cross. They were looking for a first aid instructor

in the late 70s. At that time, EMT training was just

starting,” Calvin says. “I ended up spending thirty

years training EMTs. I was also a certified EMT myself,

which is required when you teach it.”

Calvin also worked as a volunteer ski patrol member

for 23 years and is the trustee responsible for the

Amateur Radio Repeater at the UW Hospital, a

backup emergency communication system that FEMA

supports in the case of a disaster.

Calvin is probably best known in Madison for his

two terms on the Madison School Board, serving two

years as President. He believes high-quality public

education is critical for a healthy future for both our

people and country.

BOARD MEMBER PROFILE

Calvin Williams


“But at that time, my child was in school, and I felt like

our schools were going in a direction that wasn’t in

the best interest of the kids. It was a tumultuous time

with a lot of controversy, but we got through it and

our schools were stronger for it.”

A member of Bethel Lutheran Church since marrying

his wife Marjorie in 1974, Calvin was recruited by a

fellow church member to join the Oakwood board of

directors. It didn’t take much thought. He already had

an interest in Oakwood. He and Marjorie have been

considering it as a future residence after submitting

their application.

“Our daughter worked at Oakwood ten years ago after

high school as a CNA. So I knew it was a good place,”

Calvin adds.

“My father-in-law lived in a senior community

and passed away a few months ago. So I have an

appreciation for what goes on at that point in a

person’s life. I think its well worth my time to add to

that in any way I can.”

For Calvin, engaging with Oakwood was a natural fit.

“I moved into the category of senior, and my father-in-

law’s situation made me more sensitive to issues

at this stage of life.”

Outside of spending time with his family, which

includes two busy granddaughters, Calvin enjoys

playing guitar and traveling. But volunteering is at

his core.

“I’ve had a lot of opportunities in my life, maybe

some I didn’t deserve. I’m grateful for those

opportunities, and I want other people to have

that in their lives too.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Oakwood Lutheran Senior Ministries, Inc. Joyce Bromley, Chair

Brett Armstrong, Vice Chair

Tom Hanson, Treasurer

Amanda Reese, Secretary

Robert Cole, Bruce Fox, Barbara Gessner, Eric Halverson

(Ex-Officio), Steve Koch, Peder Moren, Marje Murray,

Tom Rivers, Dan Stein, Clifford Strelow, Calvin Williams,

Stan York

Oakwood Village University Woods Homes, Inc. Joyce Bromley, Chair

Calvin Williams, Vice Chair

Tom Hanson, Treasurer

Richard Rossmiller, Secretary

Brett Armstrong, Stan York

Oakwood Village University Woods Apartments, Inc. Joyce Bromley, Chair

Peder Moren, Vice Chair

Robert Cole, Treasurer

Pastor Jon Enslin, Secretary

Amanda Reece, Stan Inhorn

Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge Homes, Inc. Joyce Bromley, Chair

Marje Murray, Vice Chair

David Bohlman, Treasurer

Martha Jo Church, Secretary

Barbara Gessner, Tom Rivers

Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge Apartments, Inc. Joyce Bromley, Chair

Cliff Strelow, Vice Chair

Michael Carr, Treasurer

Steve Koch, Secretary

Oakwood Foundation, Inc. Eric Halverson, Chair

Sarah Kruger, Vice Chair

Ed Young, Treasurer

Carolyn White, Secretary

Joyce Bromley (Ex-Officio), Phil Hardacre, Donna Ulteig,

Lori Werbeckes

FALL 2018 | 13

When St. James Lutheran Church in Verona was

established in 1886, the Town of Verona’s population

hovered around 1,000 people. Today, Verona is one

of the fastest growing communities in Dane County

with a population topping 13,000 people.

Pastor Kurt Billings has served St. James for 17 years

while his colleague Pastor Peter Narum joined the

pastoral team in 2006.

When asked what the biggest change Pastor Kurt

has seen during his years as Pastor at St. James, his

answer is no surprise. He says, “The growth of the

community and the church.”

“We are a growing church in a growing community,”

Pastor Kurt added. “We have a diversity of age groups

within the membership. All ages and demographics

are represented well. We are nicely balanced.”

To accommodate this growth and serve its 1,500

members as well as the community, the church broke

ground on a $4 million expansion and renovation

on Easter Sunday 2017. The community recently

celebrated completion of the project at its open house

in September 2018.

“The additional space will improve and expand the

church facilities, allowing it to enhance its ministries

and provide improved spaces for all ages,” explained

Pastor Kurt.

Whereas decades ago weddings, funerals and Sunday

worship provided the main reasons for gathering,

today vibrant churches create space for activities and

ministries that happen seven days a week and draw

people to church for fellowship. The church expansion

and update projects meet a desire for people to be

with others and build strong relationships.

St. James has many thriving programs. The first

Wednesday of every month St. James hosts a

community meal for about 100 people – about half of

the attendees are church members and the other half

live in the community, offering good opportunities

for fellowship and connection.

St. JamesLUTHERAN CHURCH


Other successful programs include its preschool

and Pre-K program that serve about 50 children, a strong

Sunday school program, and a growing youth ministry.

Previously housed in the parsonage, these programs will

now be integrated into the expansion, allowing for increased

enrollment and participation.

Amidst all the changes, some things have remained the

same from many years ago. Lorine Kahl, a resident at

Oakwood Village University Woods, was baptized 92 years

ago at St. James. She recalled, “I could see the steeple from

our farm in the country.”

Pastor Kurt says the steeple is still recognized today from

afar. “When you drive into town, one of the first things you

see is the steeple.”

The steeple serves as a reminder of the church’s mission

“Receive-Grow-Give”, encouraging members to gather to

receive God’s love, grow in God’s love, and give God’s love

in service to others.

AT A GLANCE...

Year Established: 1886

Pastors: Kurt Billings and Peter Narum

Number of Members: 1,500

Phone: (608) 845-6922

Address: 427 S. Main Street | Verona, WI 53593

Website: www.stjamesverona.org

Services: Saturday 5:00 pm | Sunday 8:30 & 10:45 am

“When you drive

into town, one of the

first things you see

is the steeple.”

– PASTOR KURT BILLINGS

FALL 2018 | 15

STAFF SPOTLIGHTS

Joined Oakwood: 2011

Campus: Prairie Ridge

What do you love about your work at Oakwood: I love helping people who are here for a rehab stay

establish and achieve goals to get back home. The

relationships I form with residents here not only impact

the way I work, but help shape the way I live my life

outside of Oakwood.

Why Oakwood Loves Amber: Amber is an amazing

asset and has developed into an extraordinary nurse

leader. She is thorough and demonstrates exceptional

critical thinking skills. Staff look to Amber when they

need help and I am always reassured things will run

smoothly when she is in charge.

– Jenna Heim, RN, Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge Director of Nursing


Campus: University Woods

What do you love about your work at Oakwood: Every day offers me an opportunity to make a difference

in someone’s life.

Why Oakwood Loves Sue: Sue is not hesitant to work

alongside her staff. She does the work that needs to be

done and jumps in when an extra pair of hands for direct

care is needed. Because she has been involved with

creating each resident’s care plan, she is able to provide

quality, personalized care for each resident.

– Kim Blum, RN Health Services Administrator

AMBER SCHMIDT Nurse Educator

SUE BERG Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)


Take a moment to meet a few Oakwood staff and learn what they love

about working at Oakwood... and why Oakwood loves them back.


Campus: Prairie Ridge

What do you love about your work at Oakwood: In my work as Oakwood’s Quality Assurance and

Compliance Nurse, I knew Prairie Ridge had a great

team. But the opportunity to work more closely with

the staff and see them in action has affirmed their

focus on always putting residents first.

Why Oakwood Loves Jennylynde: Jennylynde is a

positive and inspiring member of the Oakwood team.

She has provided competent and consistent support

to the clinical teams, in addition to streamlining our

employee training and education program. Her caring

attitude and competent, professional work ethic is

respected and appreciated by her coworkers.

– Kathy Groth, Vice President of Human Resources


Campus: University Woods

What do you love about your work at Oakwood: The positive culture here is inspiring and doesn’t

make being at work actually feel like work.

Why Oakwood Loves Tolu: Tolu has brought

tremendous energy and knowledge to her position

with her previous assisted living and nursing

experience. She is pursuing her doctorate in nursing

with the goal of becoming a family nurse practitioner.

– Kim Blum, RN Health Services Administrator

JENNYLYNDE PACKHAM Quality Assurance and Compliance Nurse, Interim Prairie Ridge Campus Executive Director

TOLU AROWOSEGBE Registered Nurse (RN)

FALL 2018 | 17

Prairie Ridge will soon offer the quality assisted

living support you’ve come to expect at Oakwood in

comfortable new apartments with services.

One-bedroom assisted living apartments are under

construction at Prairie Ridge and are scheduled

to open early summer of 2019. Oakwood is now

accepting reservations for those who want to be

the first to select from our new thoughtfully-

designed apartments.

At approximately 500 square feet – double the size

of current assisted living suites – apartments offer

a living room and bedroom, kitchenettes, closets

and cabinets for personal storage, as well as easily-

accessible bathrooms. The one-bedroom apartments

can accommodate a single occupant or couples in

need of support services.

Key services included in the assisted living setting

start with 24-hour staff availability and basic health

monitoring, medication administration, meals,

housekeeping and laundry service, and assistance

with personal care as needed.

Just outside their apartment, residents can join

neighbors for meals in an on-floor dining room.

Coffee, tea, snacks and more are readily available

from household kitchens on each floor.

Oakwood will add thirty-three new assisted living

apartments on the three-story expansion. Patios

on the first floor lead out to a secure, beautifully-

landscaped courtyard. Two open-air balconies on both

the 2nd and 3rd floor provide convenient access to the

outdoors just down the hall.

While the larger apartments are an exciting addition

to the Prairie Ridge campus, they are just one

reason why Prairie Ridge is an excellent choice for

assisted living support. Trusted care and extensive

programming, offered by a compassionate team of

professionals on a campus filled with convenient

amenities, makes Oakwood a top choice for those

in need of services.

Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge

NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS

for One-Bedroom Assisted Living Apartments!








Meals will be served family-style in a dining room conveniently located on each resident floor, with well-appointed kitchens providing

opportunities for coffee, snacks and additional meal preparation upon request.

New assisted living accommodations at Prairie Ridge will be one-bedroom apartments featuring kitchenettes, additional storage and

spacious, accessible bathrooms.




FALL 2018 | 19

Residents thrive with help from Oakwood’s dedicated

staff, and benefit from an impressive breadth and

depth of life enrichment programs. Opportunities are

customized by our life enrichment team in an effort

to meet the abilities of all participants, and range

from educational offerings to one-on-one personal

fitness and exercise opportunities, and from campus-

wide concerts to spiritual life programs and

worship services.

The nearby Tree of Life Chapel and bustling Prairie

Rose Inn dining room are regularly used by Oakwood

residents throughout the campus. This spring, Prairie

Ridge will add a new bistro and fitness center on

campus, followed by additional outdoor gardens and

walking paths. These amenities add to the appeal

of Oakwood when family and friends visit and don’t

have to leave campus to enjoy a visit in a variety of

enjoyable and interesting settings. Live music and

entertainment, tasty meals, and a walk around the

well-kept grounds are all easily available.

Residents receive an ideal blend of privacy and

services. Our goal is to provide support as needs

change, allowing residents to remain in their assisted

living apartment as long as possible.

Supporting independence is important to us,

regardless of physical abilities. We want residents

to continue their hobbies and pursue interests.

Our goal is to provide needed support, ensuring

everyone we serve is a valuable member of the

Oakwood community.

Do you know someone who deserves the very best

in assisted living support Madison has to offer?

Reserve now for an opportunity to claim an assisted

living apartment next summer.

Contact Kurt Schuhart at (608) 230-4547 or at

[email protected] to schedule an

appointment to learn more.

Prairie Ridge is also getting closer to the opening of its new independent living apartment homes. Scheduled to open in May, 2019, these apartment homes are already 80% reserved.

To learn more about how to reserve one of the remaining apartment homes, or to place your name on the wait list for future consideration, please contact Susan Schwarm at (608) 230-4580 or at [email protected]


Community balconies and first floor patios lead to a beautifully-landscaped, secure courtyard accessible to all residents.

FALL 2018 | 21


Wally and his wife Peggy live at Attic Angel

Prairie Point on Madison’s far west side. The two of

them have a long history of serving and supporting

both Attic Angel and Oakwood Village.

Peggy grew up in Madison. She recalls being familiar

with the three non-profit senior communities in town,

but learned a lot more when her mom told Peggy and

her siblings she was moving to the Tower Apartments

at Oakwood Village in 1989.

“My mother knew people who lived at all three

communities,” Peg says. “But until she decided to

move, I don’t think I had been on the Oakwood

campus other than to sing Christmas Carols.”

The move was a good one for the family. “We were

pleased she made the decision. It was awfully nice for

us to take her back to Oakwood after an evening out,

because we knew she was safe.”

Helping his mother-in-law move to Oakwood

introduced Wally to the organization as well. Later, a

couple of friends suggested he join an Oakwood board.

It was a connection that stuck, as Wally began a long

run of service as a member of the boards of directors

for the Oakwood Foundation, the Prairie Ridge

Campus, and the Oakwood Chamber Players.

Wally grew up in Iowa and came to Madison to start

a 51-year career at the University of Wisconsin, 30

of them as the first Director of Student Financial

Services. He retired in 1994. After Peggy retired from

the Financial Aid Office at Edgewood College, she

joined Wally as an Oakwood volunteer in 2000 where

she loved working in the Oakleaf Shop and Café.

Wally describes his twelve years of board service

with Oakwood as a great experience. “(I had) the

opportunity to rub elbows with other people that

I wouldn’t have met otherwise, people from a

wide variety of backgrounds. I learned a lot from

those meetings.”

Peggy served on boards of directors at Attic Angel.

She continues to serve on the board of the Attic

Angel Prairie Point Community.

“Being part of both

communities…

enriches everything.”

OAKWOOD'S ANGELS

Wally and Peggy Douma

FALL 2018 | 23

Despite their move to Prairie Point, Wally says

nothing changed their feelings for Oakwood Village.

“Oakwood and Attic are different. You need to have

variety and options for retirement living, and Madison

is lucky to have both. Keeping involved at both places

has been great. We have friends at both communities.”

Wally and Peggy back up their words with 28 years

of giving in support of the mission and ministry of

Oakwood Village.

Wally says he and Peggy plan to continue their

financial support to the Oakwood Foundation and

continue as Oakwood “angels.”

“I think one thing that doesn’t get talked about

enough at Oakwood is the Nature Preserve (on the

University Woods campus). Every time I had a board

meeting or attended a program there, I took time to

walk through it. That is such a gem.”

“We love both communities. Madison is lucky to have

two such exemplary organizations!”


“People are surprised I am so knowledgeable about

Oakwood and they ask, ‘don’t you live at Attic Angel?’

Yes, I live here, but my involvement with Oakwood was

and is a great experience.”


The Oakwood Foundation would like to recognize

JP Cullen and the JP Cullen Foundation for their

enthusiastic response to our invitation to support

Oakwood through our Community Partner Program.

The firm has generously pledged $50,000 in support

of the Oakwood community over five years.

JP Cullen is a fifth-generation, family-owned

construction management and general contracting

firm specializing in education, healthcare, commercial,

and industrial projects across Wisconsin, Illinois,

and Iowa. JP Cullen is anchored in its core values –

dedication to personal development, family,

and community.

The JP Cullen Foundation was established by Mark,

David, and Richard Cullen in 1992 in honor of their

father, JP Cullen. Since then the Foundation has

given over $4.26 million in gifts and grants to the

community. The Foundation gives more than $25,000

in scholarships annually, partners with over 65 high

schools to mentor students interested in construction

trades, contributes significantly to the annual United

Way Campaign, and donates over $200,000 annually

to non-profit charities.

“Just like Oakwood, JP Cullen is committed to

continuously enhancing the lives of those living

in the communities we serve,” says JP Cullen Vice

President of Healthcare Jeannie Cullen Schultz.

“We are happy to support Oakwood as they invest in

additional housing, services and amenities that not

only improve the lives of their residents, but also the

communities that surround their growing campus.”

Oakwood thanks JP Cullen for their quality work

and emphasis on safety on the Prairie Ridge

campus, and for their support as a Gold Level

Community Partner.

JP CullenCOMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Senior Project Manager Tom Pertzborn and Vice President

of Healthcare Jeannie Cullen Schultz (pictured left to

right with Oakwood Foundation Executive Director

Keith VanLanduyt), are among the JP Cullen team

members helping to improve Oakwood.

FALL 2018 | 25

DONORS CONTINUE TO ADD

ENHANCEMENTSto the Prairie Ridge Campus


Donors have responded generously to

Oakwood’s request for support in bringing

valuable enhancements to Prairie Ridge as the

campus expands.

You and donors like you have raised $225,000

towards a campaign goal of $325,000 for

improvements to the Prairie Ridge expansion effort.

Our goal is in sight, with only $100,000 remaining!

We invite you to help us reach our campus goal.

Dozens of additional improvements and

opportunities for support remain, including:

– Creating an inviting, relaxing space in the

heart of the campus for residents to enjoy

the morning paper or a monthly magazine.

– Making the southwest corner of the campus an

appealing new park-like destination for Prairie

Ridge residents.

– Enhancing spaces in the Community Center

allowing residents to gather, learn, be

entertained, and eat.

– Furnishing a new fitness center filled with state-

of-the-art, user-friendly fitness equipment.

– Putting the finishing touches on our new

community courtyard, including a putting

green and open-air performance space for

movies and concerts.

That’s a few of many examples of how donor gifts

will improve the lives of Oakwood residents for

years to come.

For those of you who have already contributed to

make valuable improvements to the Prairie Ridge

community, thank you. For those who would like

to join us, we welcome your support. Please

contact Dave Mossner, Development Director,

at [email protected] or

(608) 230-4441.

DONORS CONTINUE TO ADD

ENHANCEMENTSto the Prairie Ridge Campus

FALL 2018 | 27

DONOR GIFTS TO OAKWOOD COME IN MANY FORMS

DONOR GIFTS TO OAKWOOD

Come In Many Forms


DONOR GIFTS TO OAKWOOD COME IN MANY FORMS

Your gifts enrich lives at Oakwood no matter

what kind of gift you give. While the Oakwood

Foundation gladly accepts gifts in many forms,

you should be aware some gifts might offer

additional benefits to you.

Many donors choose to give on an automatic

monthly basis via credit card or checking

account as members of the Oak Tree Circle.

This is a convenient way to support Oakwood

throughout the year.

If you are like many others, much of your

financial resources include non-cash assets. From

a tax standpoint, it may be better for you to give

something other than a gift of cash.

One option for donors 70½ years old or better

is using your Individual Retirement Account

Minimum Required Distribution (MRD) to give

to charity. The Charitable Distribution is sent

from your IRA custodian directly to the Oakwood

Foundation on your behalf.

Another option when making charitable gifts is

using stock, bonds, mutual funds, or other

long-term appreciated assets (assets you have

held for over one year and that have grown in

value). In doing so, you may receive a double tax

benefit. You receive a charitable deduction for the

current fair market value of the asset. In addition,

you do not pay a tax on your asset’s capital

gain. This means you receive a tax break for the

appreciation on which you never paid taxes. By

using appreciated assets, your gift costs you less.

Another option is using appreciated property

to fund a life income gift, like a charitable gift

annuity. This kind of gift allows you to avoid

tax on some or all your capital gain and receive

income for life.

We also invite you to become members of the

Oak Legacy Circle by naming the Oakwood

Foundation as a beneficiary of your estate or,

for Oakwood residents, a beneficiary of your 90%

life lease refund.

Of course, you are encouraged to consult with

your tax and financial advisor to identify the

giving option best for you.

We want to make it easy for you to support the

Oakwood community! For more information

please contact Dave Mossner, Development

Director, at (608) 230-4441.

FALL 2018 | 29

W I N T E R 2015



FA L L 2018

Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge will soon offer the quality assisted living

support you've come to expect at Oakwood in comfortable new one-bedroom

apartments with services.

READ THE ARTICLE ON PAGE 18

6205 Mineral Point Road

Madison, WI 53705

Non-Profit Organization

U . S . P O S T A G E

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Documents

Oakwood Village - Dedication...Oakwood Village back in 1980, she said it felt just like coming home. Erna surely wasn’t the first Oakwood resident to utter those words. But in her