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Video of Quiet Oaks and Staff Reflections
To see a video featuring footage of Quiet Oaks
and narrated by our staff (on YouTube) -
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Stories and Tributes
Perhaps the best way for us to tell you about Quiet Oaks Hospice House is to show you what others have said about their Quiet Oaks experience. Many times people are reluctant to talk openly about death and end of life issues. However, when a person receives compassionate care and expert pain and symptom management, the final days, weeks or months can be filled with dignity, grace and love. Read what family members of our residents have to say about Quiet Oaks.
To leave a story or tribute,
My father had a long tough journey to get to Quiet Oaks. And when he arrived on Sep. 27th 2011 he was finally at peace! The people there are extra special - they took very good care of my father. I felt right at home.
I experienced things with my father that are out of this world! He was a strong hearted man and Quiet Oaks was meant to be for him in the end .
He left the 7th of Oct 2011 to be with my mom in heaven. I will never forget the staff at Quiet Oaks.
I think that place is at the bottom of the stairway to heaven!
God bless you all!
Mark Angermeier and family
Elk River, MN
11/2/11
Hospice is a hard decision for family members to make for a loved one. From the moment we walked through the doors of Quiet Oaks to take a tour of the facility, we all knew this is where our mother needed to be.
Quiet Oaks is not just a hospice house. It is a house filled with staff that has a strong, caring compassion for what they can do for you and your loved one while you are there. Until you experience this first hand, you can't even begin to imagine how wonderful it is there.
On Tuesday morning, March 15th, 2011 Vivienne L. Schack was transferred from St. Cloud Hospital to Quiet Oaks Hospice House. On Tuesday afternoon my husband, Steven Schack, and I, Heidi Schack, arrived at the Quiet Oaks and checked into the main house to stay there with Mom Schack. From the moment we walked in with our bags, the staff at Quiet Oaks extended a very warm, caring, and heart felt welcome to us. That feeling of warmth, caring and extended family never changed while we were there. Quiet Oaks employs really exceptional and awesome people. They really care about their jobs and the people who are residence's there. Words alone can't express the outstanding 24 hour care we experienced with Mom Schack during her final days.
Mom Schack passed away peacefully on Saturday March 19th at about 1:30 A.M. with family members at her side. Mom Schack passed away on the same day of the week (Saturday) and the same time of day as her husband, Robert F. Schack, who passed away in 2009. It was a special moment shared by all.
The wonderful care that the staff at Quiet Oaks provided, as well as the quality time we got to spend with Mom Schack, was the best gift anyone could ever give a loved one. We wouldn't trade that week for anything in this world! We will treasure that last week we spent with our Mom forever! We are blessed to be able to say we were a part of the Quiet Oaks family. The warmth we felt when we toured Quiet Oaks was the same as the day we left to go home.
To all of you at Quiet Oaks who helped care for Vivienne Schack, or who listened and comforted a family member during that week, we thank you! You will never be forgotten by the Schack family.
With Love,
Steven & Heidi Schack
Ham Lake, MN
3/29/11
Recently our family lost our beloved husband and father. As Jack's life was ending, we transfered him to Quiet Oaks Hospice Care in St. Augusta. I had visited the home last summer. I knew it was a beautiful place with exceptional care for its residents. When we arrived, we were met with open arms and immediately felt a part of this home. Each day, we were provided with home cooked meals that allowed us to stay on site day and night. The volunteers that cooked, served and cleaned the kitchen were always very respectful. Their smiling faces awaited us each day. The clinical staff provided us with love, sympathy and dignity during this difficult time. Joe Bauer and George Hontos have created an environment that made this time as comforting as possible. Quiet Oaks was the best choice for us. Our family hopes that when your family needs this type of care, they will select Quiet Oaks.
Mary Unger and Family
St Cloud, MN
1/29/11
Experiences shape us and change how we perceive and cope with any given situation. As I stood in a Rochester Hospital corridor the voice of Joe Bauer was one of comfort and understanding. I was in the process of trying to decide emotionally and financially how I could make the days for my mother the very best. My heart told me from the moment I heard his voice and received information that my mom's life was in the most gracious of hands. His voice of care calmed me and gave me confidence that this was just the right place. He met with me on our arrival and clearly his intent and purpose to provide love and comfort was in every word. We moved my mom to Quiet Oaks, and the days she was there were touched by the loving hands and hearts of people of grace and love.
Quiet Oaks is a haven of beauty. The surroundings hold the comfort of being in a beautiful home. Every nuance speaks to spaces of comfort and peace. We were invited for meals being graciously served and were encouraged to be part of "the family" of Quiet Oaks.
The interactions of St. Cloud Hospice gave me a sense of peace and with each interaction someone wanted to know our story. Jan wanted to hear about my mom. The thing I found so comforting was their unhurried love and compassion. Their willingness to join you on this very difficult journey. My mom was treated with gentle unhurried hands, attended to constantly. Deb and Lou were angels that ministered to my mom as well as to us. It was so clear to us that the nurses, and staff had chosen with their expertise in the field of medicine this journey of hospice care. Dr. Lalley sat with us and spoke honestly and clearly with such love of this journey my mother had embarked upon; it was the respect for the journey of life as well as the the dignity of the journey of death that impacted Chuck and me. As each nurse touched and cared for my mom I was amazed at their respect and tenderness. Their complete focus was her comfort. I marvel at the amazing power of Heidi's gift of healing touch. My belief is that my mother's spirit was lifted to the heavens in those moments. I had watched her experience such pain and finally she was at peace. The healing touch embraced both her spirit and her physical being. Michelle slipped a cross into my mom's hand and prayed with us. The cross mom held is right next to my bed, and its power of God's promises will remain ever new.
My heart and mind are so grateful, and I feel at peace because my mom's journey to the next world was truly orchestrated by your kindness. As the cardinals took flight from the bird feeders outside her window that day; her spirit, too took flight to the "new place", a heaven for which we all aspire.
I shall be forever thankful for the gifts you all shared with my mom. What an incredible place of love!
Trish Skahan
Sauk Rapids MN
12/29/10
My dad, John/"Jack"/"Pops" Paulsen passed into a world that involves travel with hummingbirds...
At 6:09 AM Sunday August 22, 2010, the beginning of a new day was dawning right outside his window. I was sleeping with him. Lynn, the nurse, had just come in to help dad & I to turn in unison and tucked us in. Dad had begun to perspire so Lynn changed his clothes and gently bathed him. I was chattering away about the "promise of a new day" and " there was light and hope on the horizon". I said to a sleeping daddy, " Let's open the windows so we can hear the first bird sound. Well, the frogs were croaking away and the fog rolled right into the room. It was a fresh and glorious smell. I was a bit chilly so I scampered back to bed laying back to back with my dad, still chattering away.
Then a hummingbird came to the feeder and sat and drank for many moments. Soon, there were 6 or 7 with their little squeeks serenading us. I was so excited to see so many so close. I said to my dad, "look at all these hummers, dad. They are all looking in here at us. It's like they want us to come out to them. The feeder is full. I wonder what they want..." Dad made a heavy sigh sound and then I realized his back wasn't moving with my back. I reached over my shoulder to touch his "breathing" but all was still... I got up and went to dad's side of the bed and knelt down facing him. He looked so calm and quiet. Dad had gone with the hummingbirds to the next world.
It was all so peace-filled. A shock and yet not a shock.... Once dad's body cooled after his death , the hummingbirds dissappeared for several hours. They were gone on a mission with my dad!
Jill Pundsack
Sauk Rapids, MN
9/24/10
Our experience at Quiet Oaks Hospice House was an incredibly positive one during a very heartbreaking time. After weeks of caring for my mother at her home, the time had come when we had to accept the fact that we were no longer able to manage her pain effectively. Following the advice of the hospice nurse, my husband and I made the difficult decision to admit her to a facility that was better equipped to care for her. Quiet Oaks Hospice was one of the facilities mentioned and was highly recommended so we agreed to admit her there. I am unspeakably grateful that we did. From the moment that we arrived, they took care of everything. Not only did they take phenomenal care of my mother, but of my husband and I as well. The facility is beautiful and comfortable; the staff is professional and wonderfully compassionate. They made absolutely sure my mother was comfortable - which was what was important to me - and were so very kind and respectful to her. We also appreciated that Quite Oaks Hospice House made meals and sleeping accommodations available to us. When my mother passed away, everything was taken care of with respect and compassion. I will be forever grateful for the way they smoothly handled the arrangements letting us focus on our family.
Loei Bahe
Sartell MN
8/28/10
Thank you Joe and the Quiet Oaks staff for the wonderful care you provided to my wife, Julie, and to our family during the last few days of Julie's life. Julie was cared for with compassion and respect to the point of staff treating her like a close family member.
I chose Quiet Oaks for Julie's final days here on earth because she deserved to pass away with the dignity and personal care not available at any other facilities in the area. Further, I felt that my two children needed a supportive and nurturing environment to witness the passing of their mother. Their memories of ‘how' their mother passed away will stay with them their whole lives, and I am assured that their positive, loving experience eases the pain and sadness of their loss.
Finally, thank you to all the volunteers for preparing meals and snacks to keep us nourished...allowing us to focus on Julie. Bless you all!
Robert, Anthony and Annika Schwartz
St. Cloud, MN
7/13/10
If you or a loved one is facing terminal illness with complex medical symptoms, I strongly encourage you to consider Quiet Oaks. When our mother's cancer returned and affected her stomach, she experienced severe pain and nausea. We tried to keep her comfortable at home, but her symptoms changed constantly and we just couldn't stay ahead of the pain. That's when we decided to bring mom to Quiet Oaks. The medical director and nursing staff worked tirelessly to manage her symptoms. When mom's symptoms would change or worsen, they responded immediately to ensure her comfort. We are so grateful for the expert medical care mom received, but that's not all. The people at Quiet Oaks treated mom like a Queen. The soothing baths, massages, warm hugs and great conversations were as therapeutic as the medications - maybe even more so. Our mother experienced love and dignity in her last few weeks. Because she was more comfortable, our time together was spent telling stories and sharing memories. In addition to family, many special friends came to visit. My mom's last few weeks were filled with people telling her how much she meant to them. As a family, we will continue to support Quiet Oaks through volunteering and through donations. It is our hope that the wonderful care mom received will be available to anyone in our community who needs it. Quiet Oaks is an incredible gift to our community.
Daughter of a Quiet Oaks Resident
St Cloud, MN
6/21/10
My Dad moved into Quiet Oaks Hospice House in August of 2009. He passed away in December of 2009. I knew from the very first moment, when I visited Quiet Oaks and met with Joe, that I had found the best home for Dad. In the four months he resided there my initial feelings we confirmed and reinforced daily. A beautiful home in a beautiful setting coupled with so many capable and caring staff and volunteers, finding Quiet Oaks was an answer to my prayers.
Jebb Willis
St Joseph, MN
6/21/10
We discovered Quiet Oaks the day before my Mom was being moved from Abbott to N.C.Little (House in Edina). We saw it online and just knew it was the house she had in her dreams for about a month leading up to her death.
Mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor in November at age 68. In her dream, she was in the woods looking for someone, but she didn't know who it was! My Uncle and I immediately drove to St Augusta to take pictures to show Mom. We put them on the computer when we returned and she said, "That's it, that's the house in my dreams!" We knew it was right but didn't know who she was looking for. She was taken there by ambulance on Wednesday and that is where her 5 last days were spent. She passed away in the evening of Mother's Day! She spent the day with her children that she loved so much. She realized on the day we found Quiet Oaks that she was looking for God in her dreams. We know she is with him now!
We can't say enough about our experience at Quiet Oaks. The Nurses, Dr. Lalley, Hospice, the Chaplin and all the Volunteers were so amazing and took care of our entire family so we didn't have to think about anything but Mom! Even her 9 brothers and sisters and their spouses were taken care of. There was adequate space and they cooked meals for all the resident's families. They checked on her often and if Mom needed something they were there quickly! Quiet Oaks made her final days more peaceful than dying at home where we would have had to learn to care for her and that would have taken away from our time with her. We miss her so much but know she is at peace and not in pain anymore.
Kelly Purdy
Long Prairie, MN
5/26/10
My husband's sister, Lil Stromback, was a resident of your home this past week and we, as part of her family, just feel so blessed and comforted by everything that each and every one of you did for each of us while visiting Lil. Because of the wonderful care she received it made her journey to death one of peace and tranquility for each of us and we cannot thank you enough. From the moment Lil arrived in the ambulance to her last breath, you enabled all of her family to just be there with her in such a tranquil and spiritual environment. Our prayer is that each of you from the volunteers, nurses, maintenance, management, spiritual guidance, counselors and all who pass through your doors may know how important you are to those needing your care. We appreciate your service so deeply.
Tom and Elaine Holscher
Long Prairie MN
5/11/10
My beloved wife of 36+ years died of metastatic breast cancer in March 2009. In spite of the excellent in-home hospice care she was receiving, it was a very difficult decision to realize that our family could no longer care for her at our home. None of us wanted to believe that we had come to that time, but within hours of being at Quiet Oaks we realized we had made the best decision. We could now be family, instead of trying to be amateur nurses during my wife's last days. The hospitality and medical care by the staff at Quiet Oaks were outstanding. I was particularly impressed with the resident-staff ratio and the availability of meals, snacks, and living quarters for family members who chose to spend the night. Being at Quiet Oaks was a comforting ending to my wife's well-lived life.
Geno Beniek
Rice MN
8/19/09
The outstanding care and compassion our mother received at Quiet Oaks was absolutely amazing. From the moment she arrived we knew she going to receive top quality care and compassion. Every staff member and volunteer could not have been more welcoming and helpful during this difficult time. The staff's attention to detail, coupled with proactive health care administration, ensured our mother was comfortable and at peace. Quite Oaks provided total resident and family care, including physical, emotional, and spiritual guidance, to help our family navigate the end of life journey for our mother. This level of care allowed us to make every last minute count.....to say the things we wanted to say....and most important....not having any regrets. Quiet Oaks is an incredible house, with extraordinary staff, volunteers, and community donors, who help make this world a better place, for the end of life care.
Sincerely,
Shannon, Tammy, Tom, and Terry Templin
Sauk Rapids, MN
11/11/09
(E-mail Excerpt, permission granted)
I had known few things about hospice other than the comfort [and] care that a person received during the last days of life. Indeed, John received what I described as overwhelming care and support to keep him as comfortable as possible during his final days. It was good for us to know more about how Quiet Oaks operates and all the staff involved to make it a fine facility. We want to extend a huge thank you to all the volunteers, staff and nurses for making a difficult time much easier for us.
Thank you kindly,
David Lee
St Cloud, MN
11/9/09
Our Dad and father-in-law, Adam Jaskowiak, was at Quiet Oaks about four months in 2009. From the first time we walked through the doors, we knew this was a very special place. Dad received top-quality, compassionate care that allowed all of the family members to relax and enjoy our time with him when we were there. From the offering of meals to overnight accommodations, from serving us refreshments to candy dishes everywhere, we knew our needs would be met every step of the way. The staff members were always willing to talk, explain, and just be there with a comforting hand. Thank you to all, especially Dr. Lalley and the nursing staff, for your embrace of Adam and our family. You gave us a very special gift that we will never forget.
Leanne & Rick Jaskowiak
Bemidji MN
8/26/09
Dear Quiet Oaks friends and family, On behalf of the family and friends of Marje Moore, I wish to express our deepest appreciation to each and every one of you for the extraordinary level of care and support you've provided not only mother, but all of us who've been privileged to share in her last three months of this life. In the safety and security of what became her home at Quiet Oaks, each visitor has described uniquely personal and special times with her. These shared memories will sustain us all, not only through the coming days, but for the rest of our days. We will all miss her and will need to draw strength from these memories. Once settled, mother came to know, feel and express her own appreciation for the peace, comfort and quality of life which Quiet Oaks provided her. Each interaction with staff, volunteers and visitors was uniquely special and meaningful to her. As you know, she didn't want to miss out on any opportunities and there were plenty of them! In the words of her beloved sister, Jan Dahl, "It was a continual promenade of relationships from throughout Marje's life which I was privileged to experience everyday at Quiet Oaks". Your steadfast care and support guided us all through what has been an emotionally intense, yet profoundly moving life experience. When mother transitioned from this life into the next, Saturday evening, I was alone with her. She seemed at peace, free of pain, and had come to acceptance. I draw comfort from believing that my words were the last she heard on this earth. We invite you to join us for a celebration of her life Saturday, February 13 11:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. This will be followed by a luncheon/reception in the Great Hall. Internment will be private late afternoon in the columbarium of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. In lieu of calling hours, we invite you to join us for an informal gathering of family and close friends in the Quiet Oaks Hospice House cottage from 3-8 pm on Friday, February 12. Benson Funeral Home has been in charge of arrangements - http://www.bensonfuneralhome.com/. With deep affection and gratitude for all you do,
Diane Rotnem, Daughter
South Haven, MN
2/20/10
(E-mail excerpt, permission granted)
I just had to take the time to tell you and [name removed] I can't stop thinking about Quiet Oaks!
I knew you two had devoted a lot of time to the place but you really put your HEART and SOUL into it didn't you...and it shows!!
In the beginning I was thinking "well what a great business venture for [name removed]" but now I understand.... it's PERSONAL.
Danny's photo and your testimonial on the wall kind of sealed the deal for me. What a fantastic job you did with your dream!
I've seen death over the years in the hospital and the nursing home and it was never pretty (nor was it meant to be) but the PEACE the ACCEPTANCE and the TRANQUILITY that you just feel when you experience Quiet Oaks is unbelievable (and we were only there a couple of hours). Thanks for finding (making) dad a "better home" to die in then his apartment in [name removed]!!
[name removed] was so happy she and the girls got up to see Grandpa yesterday. Those "Quiet Oak" memories will be the last they have of seeing their Grandpa alive and for that I am truly thankful. And that's what it's all about, isn't it! Where else can a family smell and eat fresh baked cookies, sit in comfortable leather loungers and rock in rocking chairs, watch the wildlife in the beautiful natural woods setting...all easing the pain of having to saying goodbye to someone you love. It was perfect.
Then there is "the patient" himself! When the nurse came in and introduced herself and told your dad "[Resident name], you are the KING here and we are your servants" and then bowed down to dad....oh my gawd!! It was perfect for a man like Dad. He couldn't have been any happier!! They were right there too with his morphine and isosorbide when he called so it was reassuring to know his comfort was being taken care of.
Anyway, I could go on and on about the feelings I have after being at Quiet Oaks but I know you two are busy....but I just wanted to let you know HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE!! and A BIG THANK YOU from this family.
Love You Guys
Pat and family
2/25/10
Thank you for the wonderful experience and the good meal. It was a pleasure to come and experience the good care provided in this facitity. As a nursing student this part was the best of my experience, it was like a treat for me. Thank you again and God Bless you all.
Martha Schelonka
St Cloud, MN
10/2/09
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