With a broken wrist, dependency seemed to overshadow all, but God was always at her side.
“All things are possible with God,” Standke said.
These days, she has trouble with shooting pains down her arm, a result of one of her back operations a number of years ago.
“I’ve had a total of seven back operations,” Standke said. “Once they went through my throat as a passageway to get to my spine, so that they could put steel rods up there.”
She describes the pain as terrible, but she always takes it in stride. In fact, she laughs most of the time and can make a joke out of nothing.
“It must be miserable if you can’t enjoy things and laugh,” Standke said.
One of Country Neighbors’ residents’ favorite activities, bingo, is often a great time for her to just let loose and have fun. When inside her own room though, you will find her sitting in her reclining chair reading a magazine.
“There are very interesting stories in the neurology magazine I subscribe to,” Standke said. “I study those stories because of the nerve situation I have.”
Her magazine rack contains many more titles though. Redbook, Taste of Home, Simply Delicious, Good Housekeeping and Ladies Home Journal are just a few of her go-to reads.
“I love to cook and bake too, so I have piles of cookbooks too,” Standke said. “I hate to tell you they are under my bed now, but I have no other place for them.”
In that same chair, she also watches a fair amount of television. Dancing with the Stars is one of her favorite shows.
“I like to dance, but I don’t know if I could anymore,” Standke said. The legs don’t go as loose as they used to.”
Another hobby that’s been put to rest is a bit of embroidery. She mainly made dish towels for her children and grandchildren.
“I tell you, I enjoyed my children when they were little,” Standke said. “But I sure do enjoy my grandchildren now that I have more time.”
The glint to her eyes also emerges when talking about her late husband, Karl. They spent 53 years of wedded bliss together and raised three children, Caryl, Barbara and Karl.
“I was 19 when I married Karl,” Standke said. “Initially, people said it would last six months. But what we had was real.”
Having tied the knot so young, she doesn’t regret one bit. And for those considering the same path, she has a word or two for them to ponder.
“Many times in life you may think you are in love and many times in life, you’re really not,” Standke said. “Think things through. When you do get married, don’t let one fight ruin it all. Talk it over and you’ll see that it will get better.”
This E.F. Johnson, Bird’s Eye General Foods and New Richland Care Center connoisseur also knows what work is all about. There was absolutely no slacking involved with these jobs.
“At Bird’s Eye, we did tons of chicken, roast beef and turkey,” Standke said. “I handled machinery and kick presses when I worked for E.F. Johnson.”
She also took on a caretaker role for a 12-plex apartment when Karl passed away.
“Whatever came at me, I enjoyed,” Standke said.
The work vest put aside for many years now, she continues to embrace the opportunities God brings before her. What that means for the here and now is taking joy in simple things.
“We have very nice breakfasts, dinners and suppers,“ Standke said. “There’s coffee anytime. There’s always cookies too. Those famous cookies that I wish I was baking.”
Her time inside Country Neighbors flies by. It seems like every week, she turns around and it’s Friday again.
“If anybody needs a place to live, I think they should check out this place,” Standke said. “I think this is number one in the town. They’ll do anything for you.”
