With National Nursing Week celebrated May 6th through May 12th, it is only fitting to honor and recognize those that take care of the senior members of the community. The Lake Andes Senior Living Center has a wonderful nursing staff of eight nurses. The nurses on staff at the Lake Andes Senior Living Center include Patsy Bergin Riekman, Sarah Carda, Alicia R, Toni Bartunek, Deanna Houseman, Karen Olson, Arlys Johnson, and Emily I.

Patsy Bergin Riekman

Patsy Bergin Riekman has made a career out of nursing for the past 34 years. Patsy is a believer that laughter is the best medicine. Her favorite part about being a nurse is being able to help others live their life to its fullest potential. Patsy makes sure each of her residents feels special and no matter how busy Patsy is, she will always make time to listen to the residents. Nursing was not Patsy’s original plan for a career. She originally wanted to become a teacher but found out that she truly enjoyed taking care of and helping other people. Once her children were all in school, Patsy decided to enroll in school as well and become a nurse. Patsy has been married for 49 years. The couple has five children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. When Patsy is not busy working, she enjoys camping, traveling and spending time with her family.

Sarah Carda has been a nurse for the past nine years. Her favorite part of being a nurse is being able to help others while building relationships with the residents and their families. Sarah became a nurse because her grandma was an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and her sister was a NICU nurse. These two women played important roles in Sarah’s life and were her role models in the medical field. Sarah wanted to go into nursing for as long as she can remember. When she is not busy at work, Sarah enjoys camping, fishing, hunting, going to concerts and traveling.

Alicia R

Alicia R has been a nurse for the past 11 months. Even though she is new to the nursing field, her favorite part has been being able to care for others and making a difference in their lives. Alicia never saw herself doing anything else but building a career in helping others. Her grandmother saw Alicia’s potential and desire to help others and pushed her to go into nursing. Alicia enjoys relaxing and watching TV when she is not working.

Toni Bartunek has been a part of the nursing field for the past 29 years. Toni is the Lake Andes Senior Living Center Director of Nursing. The best part of being a nurse for Toni at the Lake Andes Senior Living Center is being able to work with the residents, hearing their stories and helping them in anyway that she can. Toni began working as a Certified Nurses Assistant (CAN) immediately after high school. She enjoyed it so much and thought she could make an even bigger difference helping others if she became a nurse. When Toni is not busy working, she enjoys reading, playing computer games and spoiling her grandchildren.

For the past 10 years, Deanna Houseman has been a nurse. Deanna’s favorite part of being a nurse is getting to work with a team and learning new skills from her fellow nurses and staff members. In 2007, Deanna did her senior project on nursing. She then attended Ihanktonwan Community College in Marty in 2012 before finishing her nursing degree in 2013 in Mission at Sinte Gleska University. Deanna enjoys spending time with her family and going to the river to fish and swim in her free time.

Karen Olson has been a part of the nursing community for the past 26 years. Her favorite part of being a nurse at the Senior Living Center is being able to visit with the residents as she cares for them. Karen never intended to become a nurse, but after losing her mother to cardiac arrest her intentions changed. When Karen is not busy working, she enjoys relaxing, boating and camping.

Arlys Johnson

Arlys Johnson has been a nurse for the past 35 years. For Arlys it is being able to visit with the residents while helping them with their needs and health issues that is the best part of her job. Arlys has always wanted to be a nurse since she was young. After graduating from high school, it was natural for Arlys to go to school to be a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Arlys enjoys spending time with her family, reading and watching movies when she is not busy working.

Emily has been a nurse since 2020. What Emily enjoys most about being a nurse is being able to help everyone every day and understanding all of the residents’ needs. Emily began working at the Senior Living Center as a dietary aid. She loved seeing how the nurses and CNAs worked with the residents, so Emily decided that she should become a nurse as well. Emily is currently working on getting her degree as a Registered Nurse. When she is not busy working or working towards her degree, Emily enjoys traveling and spending time with her friends. Thank you to all the wonderful nurses at the Lake Andes Senior Living Center for all the hard work and dedication that you put into the care you give.

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