The staff of Goodhue Living hosted two “Dare to Dream” events in August. The first was a horse-drawn wagon ride honoring Gary Glander. The other, to treat Jim Fountaine as the guest of honor at a Goodhue Wildcats football practice. Area hospice volunteers and family members were invited to share in the residents’ joy. These special events are planned to create lasting memories for Goodhue Living residents and their families.
77-year-old Gary Glander was one of the first residents to move into Goodhue Living two years ago. He was placed on Hospice care in July after a diagnosis of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Gary’s son, Brian, who attended the August 6th event, said their family has been “more than pleased” with the community. The respect is mutual. Life Engagement Coordinator Susie Matthees described Gary as “Always caring about everyone else”.
Looking for a way to honor Gary, Matthees approached his family for ideas to create a memorable event. They landed on bringing in Dave Stevenson who donated his time and two-horse hitch for a wagon ride around town. Stevenson lives between Zumbro Falls and Hammond and although the ride needed to be postponed one day due to the weather, he was able to bring his horses, Jaxson and Pappy, to Goodhue for the special occasion. St. Croix Hospice workers helped residents enter and exit the wagon and provided snacks for everyone who attended.
Able to accommodate about 10 passengers, Stevenson first took other Goodhue Living residents for a ride around town. While that group was gone, Army Veteran Gary came outside to visit with Greg Majerus and John Huneke who represented the Bellechester American Legion. Majerus and Huneke flanked the drive holding flags as the wagon left the parking area a second time. An enlivened Glander took the seat of honor next to Stevenson as he drove the team. He enjoyed the outing so much that he asked for, and received, a second trip. Brian and his wife, Cheri, along with Gary’s sister and brother-in-law, Lori and Fred Eberhardt, and others rode in the wagon.
Lori described her brother as, “A great person. You ask him to do something, he’d do it”. An avid outdoorsman who grew up near Bellechester, he enjoyed woodworking and tinkering with tractors and lawn mowers, especially John Deere. Gary worked for Federal Mogel in Lake City for 47 years. He and his wife, Laurie had three sons and fostered many children. Gary passed away on August 14th. His obituary can be found at https://www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/gary-glander.
The second Dare to Dream event was a collaboration between Goodhue Living, Moments Hospice and the Goodhue High School football team. Jim Fountaine grew up cheering for the Wildcats football team. Not the Goodhue Wildcats, but the Kansas State Wildcats. In planning the event, Life Engagement Coordinator, Susie Matthees told Jim, "I can't get you back to Kansas to see your Wildcats football team, but I can get you to the Goodhue Wildcats football practice!"
Fountaine’s love of the Kansas State team stemmed from his childhood in Kansas and his father who was a professor at the University. Jim graduated from the Kansas State Veterinary School in 1971. He had a desire to work where there were more and larger dairy farms than Kansas. In 1973 he saw an ad seeking a veterinarian in Kenyon, Minnesota—an area that had plentiful herds of 40 or more cows. Jim and his wife, Karen became part of the community and raised their three sons, Chuck, Tom and Peter in Kenyon.
Fountaine says the best part of his career was “to be part of the people you meet and being part of their family”. He was fortunate enough to spend a day at the 2024 Goodhue County Fair where he visited with many of the people he met through his work as a veterinarian. He also enjoyed the 4-H building, livestock exhibits, a malt and pork sandwich.
On Monday, August 19th, Matthees transported Jim and Karen in a side-by-side utility vehicle to the sidelines of the local Wildcats’ morning football practice where he watched each play. The couple enjoyed visiting with head coach, Tony Poncelet, assistant coaches and team members. Coach Poncelet presented Jim with a Goodhue Wildcats T-shirt and hat to replace the Kansas State one he was wearing. The Fountaines returned the favor by sharing a couple Kansas State shirts for the local team. The two teams have the same mascot, logo and color. Wearing his new hat with pride, Jim showed his enthusiasm for the sport with a fist pump and declared, “Go Cats!”.
The Fountaines have been watching the Goodhue team play via livestream since Jim’s move to Goodhue Living. Karen, a retired nurse, visits Jim daily. He says, “The personnel are excellent”. Goodhue Living donated Gatorade and water and Moments Hospice provided sandwiches and cookies for everyone following the event. Following the morning practice, Susie took the Fountaines to The Goodhue Depot asking Jim if it was ever “too early” for ice cream. He replied, “No. Easy answer.” Jim’s Dare to Dream event was a WIN-WIN for everyone.
