One of the joys of working at Ecumen is getting to know so many people who have great stories and life experiences. A number of Ecumen communities are collaborating with Celebrations of Life whose mission is to provide a meaningful Legacy Journey® experience to help individuals and families live their lives with intention and share their values, wisdom and generosity with loved ones and future generations.  Through the collaboration, Ecumen customers explore and publish their life story. As you can imagine, the stories make great keepsakes today and for generations to come.

The Harbor in Norwood Young America is an Ecumen-managed community that has had 8 residents who have recently embarked on their life story projects. The newest stories were celebrated last week at a reception at The Harbor, where the authors unveiled their hardcover autobiographies, sharing them with family and friends.

Over the course of several months residents met with Bonita Heilman, The Harbor’s Community Relations Director to share, reflect and write about their lives. After the writing process is complete, the stories are edited and published in hardcover books complete with a lifetime of photographs.

Among the authors and honorees at the most recent celebrations were the following:

Bonnie Trebesch: She grew up in Clements, MN, and met her husband when she was 13.  They were married when she was 18. He was a Marine stationed in California. Together they had 12 children. Talk about juggling!

Gordon Wroge (pictured above): He grew up on the family farm in Young America, MN that was founded by his Grandfather in 1876. Gordon spoke German at home and learned English at school. Today Gordon’s son Dave is the fourth generation of Gordon’s family to live on and work the family farm.

Vernon Henschen: Vernon also grew up on a farm near Cologne, MN. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in Hamburg, Germany, and found the German he spoke at home with his family came in handy while stationed overseas. He has restored over 70 tractors in his lifetime. They’re all at the family farm. And they’re all International Harvesters.

Congratulations to Bonnie, Gordon and Vernon for sharing their stories! Your families must be proud.  We are!