47 Years and a Whole Lot of Memories

July 7, 1975, Sally Eliason, fresh out of high school, was in search of a employment. Valley View Nursing Home called and wanted to hire her as a nurse's aide, at the time they did not have to be certified. While she recalls the first day being "a little scary" and she wasn't sure she was ever going back; she did and continued to do so for 47 years.

On July 7, 2022, exactly 47 years later Sally Figmaka will clock out for the last time at Valley View Nursing Home. She has been as steadfast for the nursing home and its residents as the nursing home has been for her. Valley View has saw her through the death of her young husband, Mark Eliason, raising her son Matt, grandchildren, a new marriage to Dennis Figmaka, and lots of laughs along the way. The friendships gained are some of the greatest gifts she received during her time at Valley View.

When she started, she never imagined that she would still be at Valley View after all these years. She isn't sure when the job turned from scary to her life's passion. "It just grew on you, I guess," Sally shared. She spent the first 28 years of her employment as a nurse's aide, then transferring to housekeeping where she spent the last 10 years as housekeeping manager. In the final six years she also over saw the laundry department.

Sally never met a task she couldn't complete, she gave 110 percent each day, her smile and laugh made those around her enjoy their time with her a little bit more. Her fanny pack, that she got teased for more than once, is filled with tools of the trade, from fingernail clippers to pens, you never knew what she might have in there.

She recalls her "first love" a little lady with an impish voice whose eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. Sally would of course be drawn to the mischievous ones. At one time Sally cared for a resident who enjoyed sitting at the nurses' station and each time Sally walked by the resident would yell, "Sally Eliason, Best Aide in the House!" She recalls her grandkids coming to visit and riding around on her housekeeping cart. With tears in her eyes, she shares stories of residents and family members who all hold a piece of heart. She will carry those memories with her into retirement.

Her first plan for retirement is to spend a day at the lake either fishing with her husband and dog, Boss, or a lake day with her long-time girlfriends. She also plans on nurturing her green thumb in her spare time. If you see her downtown, ask her how the fishing is but don't expect to find out where the fish are biting.

I think I can speak for those of us who got to work with Sally and are lucky enough to call her friend, Sally is a true gem, and the world needs more caring hearts like hers.

Congratulations and cheers to you, Sally!