Gertrude Olsen was a trailblazer in every sense of the word. In 1943, when few women were leaders in any field, she was appointed administrator at Sheboygan Memorial Hospital (later to become Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center). Today, that facility no longer exists, replaced in 2022 by the new Aurora Medical Center – Sheboygan County.
Under Gertrude’s leadership, Sheboygan Memorial doubled in size and completed five major building projects. She was known for her determination, passion, sense of humor and people skills. A nurse herself, Gertrude recognized the need for nurses would only grow and began a nurse scholarship program in the 1950s.
“This program was something she was particularly proud of,” shared Sandy Buelow, Gertrude’s niece and goddaughter. “My aunt wanted to encourage young people to enter the nursing field. When her husband, Ed, passed away in 1964, many co-workers, friends and family sent memorials to the scholarship fund in his name. People knew it was something they both believed in.”
Sandy’s family had many ties to the medical center. Eight family members, spanning three generations, accumulated more than 135 years of service at the hospital, including Sandy. She started working at the hospital when she was 14, taking food carts to different floors and scrubbing pots and pans.
“My brother also got married in the hospital chapel. I was baptized there. It was like a second home to me.”
After receiving a nursing scholarship from the hospital in the early 70s, Sandy followed in her aunt’s footsteps and became a nurse, caring for patients for 30 years.
“The scholarship I received meant a lot to me,” said Sandy. “I’ve always wanted to pay it back in some way.”
In 2008, Sandy and her husband, Bill, gave a generous gift to support the nurse scholarship fund. They even had the opportunity to meet one of the recipients of their generosity.
“It was very rewarding to meet the young lady,” shared Bill, a retired auto mechanic and veteran of the Army and National Guard. “She’s a childhood cancer survivor who went through a lot in her life. We were so grateful to be able to help her achieve her dream of becoming a nurse.”
Recently, Bill and Sandy decided to make an even bigger impact, designating two planned gifts in honor of Aunt Gertrude. Bill made Aurora Health Care Foundation the second beneficiary on his life insurance plan; they also made the Foundation the sole beneficiary of their entire estate. Their gift will estalish an education fund for nurse externs at Aurora Sheboygan County.
“We don’t have children or many relatives, and this a great way to honor Aunt Gertrude’s memory in a lasting way. She was like a second mother to me,” explained Sandy. “She left her mark on the hospital, on the Sheboygan community and on all of us. She was a wonderful, caring individual who always tried to improve the lives of others. She was wise, generous and always very encouraging.”
“We’re blessed to have known her,” added Bill. “And it’s a meaningful cause. Nurses do the majority of the work, and I don’t think they always get the recognition they deserve. We need good nurses.”
About planned giving
Whether you want to make an impact today or support us in the long term, we can help you and your adviser consider ways to create a gift plan that meets your charitable and financial goals.
When it comes to planned gifts, some cost you nothing now and can be revoked if your circumstances change. Others provide a stream of lifetime income for you or someone you choose. Planned gifts provide ways for you to express gratitude, demonstrate your values, provide us with long-term support and create a legacy. Learn more about planned giving or make a gift to support a hospital or program that is important to you.