‘They’re all smiling’: New sunroom at Wahoo long-term care center brightens lives

WAHOO, Neb. —

The Saunders Medical Center has a new addition to its Skilled and Long-term Care Center, and it’s bringing some sunshine to the residents’ lives.

“You can sit here kind of inside the snowstorm and enjoy just a view in here,” said therapist and assistant administrator Nick Breunig.

The sunroom is a haven for soaking up sunshine, and it’s also a space for socializers and card sharks.

Resident May Taylor says she and her friends practically live in the sunroom.

“We have a room up the hall, but we play here a lot. We play cards a lot, every day,” Taylor said.

The sunroom is named after long-time dietician Lurine B. Little, who dedicated nearly 20 years of service to the hospital.

Lurine’s daughter Linda said her mother loved working alongside the physicians and staff to improve the health of her patients.

“She was a teacher at heart, and it was an opportunity for her to teach, and she loved the time and loved the people she worked with,” Little said.

For over a decade, the Medical Center had the vision of adding a sunroom to the footprint.

When the opportunity came to donate to the campaign, Little didn’t hesitate. She said the major role the medical center plays is clear.

“The hospital itself saved every member of my family’s life at one time or another. My brothers and I were all born at the former hospital facility. And really, the hospital and the care center are cornerstones of our community here in Wahoo,” Little said.

She says the sunroom means so much to her, but not just because it bears her mother’s name.

“The joy it brings the residents– that’s everything. You know, our name isn’t that big a thing, but it means a lot that these folks enjoy their space,” Little said.

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