DAVID CITY – St. Joseph’s Villa and Court in David City marked its 80th anniversary Sept. 22.
Eighty years ago, as the world was preparing for the start of WWII, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ saw a need in David City and answered the call to expand their teaching ministry at St. Mary School in David City – which started in 1921 – to also include care for the elderly.
In 1939, Mother Aloysia Barthelme purchased a three-story home at the southeast corner of Seventh and I streets. On Sept. 25, 1939 St. Joseph’s Villa was dedicated by Bishop Louis Kucera and became the first Catholic long-term nursing home in the Diocese of Lincoln. The first guest arrived in October.
Sister Frances Pytlik, a member of the sponsoring community and board chair, said the mission of St. Joseph’s Villa is to imitate the compassionate Jesus and to follow the values of the Gospel by creating a home for elders where they feel secure, loved and respected.
“We are committed to a ministry that provides spiritual, physical and psychosocial needs in a loving Christian environment,” she said. 
For the last eight decades, St. Joseph’s Villa has been extending its services to Butler County residents who are no longer able to take care of themselves within their own homes.
Over the years St. Joseph’s Villa has undergone a number of renovations and improvements. The facility was Medicare/Medicaid certified in 1986, and is capable of serving 58 residents. Eleven beds are allotted in a secure location for residents dealing with memory loss stemming from dementia and Alzheimer’s. In 2000, an assisted living section was added that would allow for 26 residents to have 24-hour care in a more relaxed atmosphere. In-house therapy services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy. These services are contracted with the Butler County Health Care Center.
Residents and the local community gathered Sept. 22 to celebrate the milestone at a Mass of thanksgiving.
A small choir of residents helped lead the singing while Cathy Mimick provided the accompaniment. Board members of the Villa helped with the celebration in offering their services: greeters Ron and Patty Vaca, reader Kathy Engel, acolyte B.J. Ponec; Sister Frances Pytlik working with the choir and livestreaming the Mass for the overflow congregation.
The Mass was concelebrated by Father Jay Buhman, pastor of St. Mary Parish, and Father Janusz Marzynski, pastor of Presentation Church in Bellwood.
“This wonderful place is not just any other home for the elderly,” Father Buhman said in his homily. “It is unique precisely because of what our Lord is talking about in our gospel passage this morning. The Villa – all who work here and all who live here – have a unique opportunity to pay critical attention to both the body and the soul.”
He continued, “most certainly, the level of care for the physical bodies of our residents is second to none. However, this environment offers the opportunity to also care for the soul. The opportunity to receive the sacraments on a regular basis is present for sure. But, I’ve also witnessed how those who work here and care for the residents are so mindful of their spiritual needs both in life and in the moment of death.”
The St. Joseph’s kitchen staff under the direction of Amanda Helgoth provided a wonderful lunch with the help of many other staff members. In addition, to the meal, everyone enjoyed the accordion music provided by the Czech Stimulus, Tony Dolezal and Jean Rasp. Activities were held for children.
Four Adorers of the Blood of Christ traveled from Wichita, Kan., to join Sister Frances in representing the founding community. Reflecting on the event, Sister Fran Schumer, ASC, director of ASC Health, wrote to the St. Joseph administrator and staff.
“I thought about what a living example the celebration was of the mission and values that were established at the Villa 80 years ago and how they are still so much alive today,” she said, and spoke of the respect, reverence and community she observed.
“The mission continues because staff over the years,” she wrote, “and especially the staff today, have used the resources of the Villa well to ensure that the residents have a clean, up-to-date facility to call home.”
