Sunrise Terrace holds 50th anniversary celebration

The parking lots overflowed, and cars were lined up down the street as people arrived to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Sunrise Terrace Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Winfield, Iowa.

Family, friends came from near and far to make the Open House celebration an overwhelming success. Lindsay Remick, Administrator of Sunrise, said a good crowd attended the event held on Sunday, October 19th. Live music was provided by Aaron Lotzow on the piano and residents and visitors reminisced over a plate of delicious snacks and a glass of sangria punch provided by the staff.

Laughter could be heard throughout the building as people enjoyed sharing memories and visiting about current events,

For 50 years, Sunrise has been one of Winfield’s most celebrated businesses. It has been awarded the American Health Care Association’s 2024 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award (also in 2017) and had a six-year streak of being deficiency free for their annual health inspection. The first thing a visitor notices when entering the facility is the fresh smell and inviting atmosphere. It is easy to see that staff members take pride in their work to make it a place where residents are made to feel like family.

And no one appreciates the facility more than its residents.

“I love it here,” said one resident who preferred not to be identified. She did specify exactly why, but, like several other residents, she said the food was good!

Bernice Lee who has been a resident at Sunrise for approximately a year and a half, said she came to Sunrise because her sister, Wanda, had lived there, and she was familiar with the facility. She admitted that she doesn’t participate in many of the activities, but she enjoys the atmosphere adding, “I like being able to sleep whenever I want to! “Yes, oh yes,” was her enthusiastic answer when asked if she would recommend the facility to others.”

Resident Warren Burns from Mt. Pleasant, said he came to the facility when his family didn’t think it was safe for him to live alone.

“I kept falling,” he explained. “My son and his wife checked out various facilities and decided Sunrise was the best place for me. I started farming at the age of 11 with help from my mother.”

Warren admits that it was hard to leave his lifelong home on the farm but said he has adjusted and feels Sunrise is a good place to be.

“I like the tours they take on the bus.”

He also thinks the food is good!

Robyn Buffington is living in one of the“Get well, Go Home” suites and is very satisfied with the all aspects of living at Sunrise, except for one small complaint, “I wish my bed faced the window,” referring to the window that overlooks the golf course and the head of her bed which is under the window. Her overall assessment of Sunrise is nothing but positive.” She enjoys the privacy of having her own room. “I’m a night owl.” She explains and likes being able to set her own sleep schedule. She says the staff is caring and helpful. She hopes to be able to return home in a few weeks after her broken leg heals but, until then she is enjoying her stay and the care she is getting at Sunrise. She said she should go to more of the activities as she liked the ones she has attended. She attends church services regularly. “I like the food, the people and having a room with two windows,” she concludes.

Shirley Huson is one of the newest residents. She arrived two months ago because it was becoming too difficult for her husband Ed to care for her at home. “It’s wonderful here.” She exclaimed when asked how she liked living at Sunrise. The staff is wonderful, and I like being with others, she added.