Teamwork: Four generations of family employed at The Lutheran Home
Leona Sellnow is proud to share that four generations of her family have worked at The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine, including her. Leona’s mother worked as a cook for 19 years, her daughter Linda was an assistant cook, daughters Donna and Sandy were resident assistants and her granddaughters Cora and Emily worked in the kitchen. Sandy still works at The Lutheran Home and is in the kitchen with Leona.
Leona spent 30 years as an assistant cook. For the last five years, she’s been on call, filling in as needed in the kitchen. She is a morning person by nature, a nice fit for her shift starting at 5:30 a.m.
“I enjoy being involved with the residents, finding out all their likes and dislikes,” Leona said.
Breakfast is usually a big hit with residents, especially scrambled eggs, Leona has noticed. She doesn’t have a favorite recipe at The Lutheran Home, but has appreciated the variety of things to cook and bake. There are only a handful of mishaps she can recall – a spilled pan of squash, gravy boiling over onto the stove.
“The minute you walk away, that’s when it will boil over,” said Leona, who plans to continue at The Lutheran Home as long as her good health allows.
Leona was among nine of our longest-tenured team members celebrated for their years of service — 190 years among them! — at TLHA’s annual board retreat May 1. Thank you to all of them for their faithful service and passion for our ministry!
25 years
- Sharon Blume, Kingsway Community Services, Belle Plaine
- Jim Schmitt, The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine
- Jody Schoknecht, Hope Residence, Belle Plaine
- Chris Skluzacek, Faith Residence Apartments, Belle Plaine
30 years
- Lynn Brown, The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine
- Sheila Schmidt, The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine
- Lori Wolff, The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine
35 years
- Donna Heine, The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine
- Leona Sellnow, The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine
Join our caring team! Visit info.tlha.org/careers today to apply.