Living in a small town during the depression era, grocery bills were paid at the end of the month. “When you paid you got a sack of candy. We could hardly wait to get that packet of candy.”
Cheyenne Wells was only ten miles away and that’s where Greta went to school. Burlington was the biggest city in the area and that was forty miles to the north. “I attended Cheyenne Wells my sophomore, junior and senior year to get two years in Latin for my nursing and my dad bought me a 'Model A' with no heater to use for transportation. That was also the DU school of nursing. When Don came home from Germany, we got married. Of course in those days, 1953, they didn’t believe that anyone should be married, so I had to drop out. I was able to return to St. Lukes, which was still DU and I graduated in 1955."
Tell me a little about your career? I worked for the old St. Lukes and then went to Visiting Nurse Services. I had an associate degree from DU, finished my man-hours and received my BSN degree from CU. In between children, I worked at Porter and Swedish, then back to Visiting Nurse Services. I stayed home while the girls were growing up and got involved in volunteering. I went twenty years without working and then decided to open my own business, home health care for the elderly, in December of 1988.
What’s your favorite childhood story? Years ago the storekeeper told my mother that I was charging food on her bill for some poor families. Mom told the storekeeper it was okay and didn’t tell me she knew about it until many years later.
What’s important in your life?Family
What’s in your future? One never knows what tomorrow will bring. Hopefully, retirement if my health holds up.
What are your volunteer activities? Founding President of Friends of Nursing, Past President Fine Arts Affiliates at Loretto Heights, Past President Denver Round Table, President, Rocky Mountain MS Guild, and Past President CU School of Nursing Alumni.
Which social event is your favorite? Old Fashioned Christmas that FON held for twelve years at the Phipps Mansion, the MS Gala and Friends of Nursing Career Festival
Favorite restaurant? It was the Metropolitan Club now it’s Charles Court at the Broadmoor Hotel.
Who is the most interesting celebrity you have ever met? Gregory Peck and his wife were at the Owners New Years Eve Party at the Lodge at Vail where we had a condo.
If your life were a movie, whom would you want to play your part? No idea
Do you have any pets?. No
When you move, what will your home tell its next owner about you? She liked gardening
What word describes you best? Hard working
How would you like others to describe you? Friendly, loyal
What was your first job? Hanging mail as a substitute for the regular man. I had to get the mail pouch up on the crane so that person on the train could snag it with his hook.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I don’t take time for myself
What trait do you most deplore in others? People that don’t keep their word
What is your greatest indulgence? Travel
What type of clothes do you like? Some custom clothes, but mostly comfortable clothing
What is the best gift you have ever given? Lodging for our family reunions, so those that couldn’t afford it could attend.
What is the best gift you’ve received? My family, including my parents
What or who is the greatest love in your life? My husband
What is your current state of mind? Lots on my mind, present and future
What do you consider your greatest achievement? The honor of being named one of the “Nurses of the Century” by CU School of Nursing Alumni
What is your most treasured possession? My home
What is the quality you most like in a man? Honesty, truthfulness, soul mate
What is the quality you most like in a woman? One who is a creative homemaker and also one who excels in her profession
Favorite books/writers? The Left Behind series
What is the best advice you have ever received? On raising two daughters… “Keep them busy.” Our daughters say we went from one project to another.
Do you have a motto? Accept others for who they are, not what they have.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you? My dad bought me a Model A to drive to high school. My friend also had a Model A. We used to take the other kids downtown, one under each headlight and on the running boards. It’s a wonder no one got hurt. The other kids had modern cars, but I had a Model A. That was around 1946 or 47. I can remember driving to Cheyenne Wells and if I wasn’t home on time, there were mom and dad, on the highway, ready to follow me home.
If you could come back in another lifetime, what/who would you like to be? And why?I’m busy trying to get through this lifetime
What are your hobbies? Other interests? Knitting, crocheting, playing the piano, baking, cooking and travel
Who is your mentor? Jesus Christ
What would you most like to be remembered for? Helping others. My brother commented a few years ago that I’ve been helping people all my life.
If you could go anywhere and do anything, what would it be? I have gone many places and have a trip to China planned for October
What do you like about the town you live in? The opportunities to work, play and volunteer for so many causes
