“Celebrating the Journey” with Carolyn Shidaker at Miller’s Merry Manor in Walkerton
Celebrating the Journey is the theme for National Nursing Home Week® 2012. Miller’s Merry Manor would like to honor the lives—and milestones—of the people they care for and the staff who serve them. Following is one of those stories.
I was born and raised in Wabash, IN on December 3, 1922. I had three older brothers and one younger sister and we lived on a farm with our parents.
I graduated from high school in 1944 and went on to Ball State University to earn a teaching license and a Masters Degree from IU. I started my teaching career in Indiana, Starting at Gas City, then on to Lakeville High School, Lapaz High School, North Liberty High School, Clay High School, Jefferson Junior High and finished at LaSalle High School. I taught 39 years primarily as a Home Economics teacher with early years as an English teacher.
I met my husband, Art, when I moved to Lakeville, IN. I was renting a room in the home of Don and Lucille Wicuff and their young daughter Judy. I did not have a driver’s license at the time so I walked to the Lakeville High School each day to teach. Mr. Wicuff asked me why I did not wave to him when he drove by in his green Chrysler. I told him that there were two green Chryslers and I did not know which one he was in when he would drive by. He told me to wave at both of the green Chryslers and that is how I met my husband Art as he was the owner of the second Chrysler and wanted to know who the lady was that was waving to him. We were married in 1949 for almost 50 years before he passed away.
I taught for 3 years before we had our daughters, Pat, Pam and Peg in 1952, 1953 and 1954 respectively. I stayed at home for 4 years before returning to teaching and continued until my retirement at age 62 in 1985. I also spent 10 years teaching 4H during the summer months.
We owned a lake home at Lake of the Woods in Bremen, IN where I enjoyed watching the many activities on the lake. I also enjoyed slow quiet rides on our pontoon. After retirement, we would winter in Key Largo, Florida where we had a camper and a beautiful view of the bay of the Atlantic Ocean from our patio.
For many years during retirement, I would ride my three wheel bicycle each day, work outside in the yard, continue to can produce and fruits, and do various other projects such as coupon clipping and refunding. I enjoyed reading until my eye sight would not allow me to not be able to read any longer.
My greatest accomplishment would be raising my three daughters and witnessing their love for me and their father, for each other, for their families and for the Lord.
I have been very blessed in life and am very thankful.
Miller’s Merry Manor, is part of Miller’s Health Systems, Inc., a 100% employee-owned company, specializing in Medicare-certified rehabilitation, senior healthcare and housing. The company has 32 Rehab Centers and 11 Assisted Living Communities located throughout Indiana. For more information about National Nursing Home week visit www.millersmerrymanor.com or “Like” us on Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/MillersHealthSystems.
