Three women from the Learn-A-Lot Home and Community Education club make 750 recycled birthday cards for the residents at Wisconsin Veterans Home in King.
Louise Konkel is a native of Upper Michigan, graduating from Vulcan High School. She earned a degree from Badger Green Bay Business School, where she met her husband of 51 years, Dale. Konkel worked at Wright Broiler for 30 years, Qualheim’s for one year and then Wal-Mart for 10 years. They have two children and two grandchildren and live on the Embarrass River in the town of Belle Plaine. She likes to garden, craft and bird watch. She also volunteers to give rides to people for medical appointments.
Barb Mortensen was born in Chicago and then moved to Thorp with her family. After graduating from Thorp High School, she attended Eau Claire Technical Institute for business. Mortensen worked at the Thorp Finance home office, where she met her husband of 50 years, Lon. They moved to Shawano in 1977. She worked at State Farm Insurance for 30 years, eventually getting her insurance license. They live in Shawano and have two children and four grandchildren. Barb also volunteers with the Shawano County Historical Society.
Joyce Souba is a native of Spring Valley, graduating from Spring Valley High School. She went to Minneapolis Business College and then was the treasurer for Pillsbury Mills for three years while her husband of 56 years, Fred, first taught school. They moved to Shawano for his job. When their five children were in school, she was an aide for special needs kids. They have nine grandchildren. Souba has been a member of the homemakers for 56 years and previously was a 4-H leader and treasurer for Zion Lutheran Church.
Q How did you get started making the birthday cards?
A Souba: “I was at a retired teachers meeting and was talking about not making cards for Maple Lane. We had made them for over 50 years. Anita Hartman said why don’t you do it for the veterans at King. I called and they said they would love cards. I asked how can we do postage and names, and they said to just bring them there. I asked how many people and they said 750. I asked the club and they said they would work on them. We‘re having trouble getting birthday cards. We try to find cards for men and it‘s difficult.”
Q What do you do?
A Mortensen: “We rely on people to give us cards. We cut up cards that people give us. If there’s a verse or if it doesn’t work, we put another in. Sometimes we take photocopies of verses in other cards. We have to buy glue and card stock. We feel that the veterans at King are forgotten heroes. When we see someone in uniform, we always say thank you for your service. We put that in the birthday cards. Many veterans don’t ever get any correspondence. Personnel at King told us that. The club pays for card stock. We contacted Dreiers and they donated envelopes. They have been great.”
Q How often do you work on them?
A Konkel: “I do some at home but mostly when we’re together. We all sit around the table and we go through the cards that have been donated to us — birthday, sympathy, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, all cards. We cut the cards apart and sometimes use the front, sometimes the saying, and we make a whole new card. We all donate plenty. Our mouths work as fast as our hands.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A Louise: “It makes you feel good, doing things for other people. I’d hate to have a birthday and no one sent me a card.”
Barb: “Those men are forgotten heroes. When I make a card I think who’s going to receive this and bring a smile to their face. It’s fun.”
Joyce: “I guess I’ve always done volunteer things and this is something I can do. It‘s fun and you know that the people appreciate it. We would welcome anyone who would like to come and help us.”
To donate cards or money to help buy glue and card stock, call Mortensen at 715-526-5440.
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