Norma Miller and Lois Sauder, Landis Homes


residents and friends, have learned over a lifetime to be flexible. In their work, and now as residents and volunteers, service and volunteering are significant aspects of their lives.


A LIFETIME OF SERVICE


N


orma grew up in Delaware, where her grandparents owned the Country Rest Home in Greenwood. “I worked and volunteered there,” reflected Norma. “I learned a lot about older people.”


Norma moved to Lancaster in 1968 to work at the Mennonite Children’s Home in Millersville, where she began working with young children in a residential setting. It was there she met co-worker Lois Sauder, who would become a lifelong friend.


Teir compensation included room and board. Tey lived at the children’s home, worked days and were on call at night with only five days off a month. Tey provided for the daily needs of the children including meals, laundry, homework help and chores, as well as playing games, going on excursions and going with the children to church on Sunday.


Tey got to know the children and staff very well in their time living and working there. Norma and Lois still keep in touch with them, including annual calls and visits from some of the “children” who are now in their 50s.


When the Mennonite Children’s Home closed in 1971, Norma and Lois traveled to Florida for the winter. Norma found work at the Sarasota Welfare Home as a nurse aide and Lois cleaned at a motel. In the spring of 1972, they moved back to Lancaster County, Lois’s home area. A former coworker from the children’s home invited them to apply at a new and growing retirement community, Landis Homes.


6 • Landis.org | FLOURISH | Spring 2020


CULTIVATING SERVICE


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28