Nancy Kuehn-Thomas, who describes herself as shy, managed to work up the nerve for her classification talk at the Dec. 13 Waunakee Rotary meeting. She’s been a member for a few years now.
Growing up in Dane, Nancy attended Lodi High School and then earned her degree in liberal arts. She worked as a CNA for 12 years at the Central Wisconsin Center before becoming a respiratory therapist.
The Central Wisconsin Center on Madison’s North Side is an institution for severely disabled individuals, whom Nancy called the lowest functioning. She estimated of the 450 there, just 45 can walk and feed themselves.
“I lasted as long as I did because I treated these people with dignity and respect,” Nancy said. She also became the head CPR instructor, and in 2008, the CPR instruction changed. The new method saved a family member.
Nancy retired at age 58 from the State of Wisconsin. The state converts unused sick time into paid medical insurance, and since Nancy took so little, she said she’ll be covered into her mid 80s. She also took so little vacation, she had six months unused paid to her when sue retired.
Nancy has many family members in the community. She said she learns a lot from the speakers at Rotary.
The club is full of generous people who do important things, and she’s proud to be part of those.

 

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Dan Gosdeck reported to the club about the Waunakee Food Pantry’s activities. The food pantry recently gave gifts to families in need and provided supplies for Thankgiving meals. Between 30-40 families visit the pantry each week for food. Dan thanked the club for the $2,000 donation.

 

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Members also met in committees for club assembly. Committee reports included:
–For fundraising, Whitetails is coming up. Rotary Lights is ongoing, and the booklet proceeds increased by a few thousand dollars this year, Phil Willems said.
–Some interesting programs are coming up. Next week, the manager of Fleet Farm will talk about what it took to build at the Windsor location, Todd Schmidt said.
–The international committee is looking at new projects with SOAR Kenya, the school in Africa.
–Applications for scholarships are out, and information is on the Rotary website. Jenny, the club’s exchange student, moved in with her second host family, the Evanses.
–The Christmas party is set for Jan. 10 at the Meadows of Sixmile Creek. Representatives from the golf course attended the meeting, as well. Westside Andy and Glenn Davis will perform that evening.

 

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Other News:
–Scott Cochems and John Cullen gave their 90 seconds of fame. Scott is married and has two young sons, ages 2 and 5 1/2 months. He’s worked in banking for the past 20 years.
–John is a “farm boy” who grew up in Rock County. He currently works in financial services and has been married for 46 years. He has 3 daughters, who all live in Dane County, and five grandchildren.

 

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Guests: Dan Gosdeck, guest of Leonard Allen; Scott Kesling, and Kyle Braska, guests of Ellen Schaaf.

Visiting Rotarians: Harry Ripp, Monona East.
 
Birthdays: Dec. 25, David Weishoff.

 

Anniversaries: none.

 

Greeters: Dec. 20, Allan Dassow and Liz Diehs; Dec. 27, Lori Derauf and Breck Dokken; Jan. 3, Pat Durden and Fritz Durst; Jan. 10, Taylor Endres and Gary Epping.