At age 84, Laura has been a people person all her life. And the Cardinal is her favorite bird, as she proclaims on her sweatshirt. The bank where she worked was just a few miles from the assisted living community where she lives now, Vista Prairie at River Heights in South St. Paul.

“I started when I got out of high school when I was 17,” Laura says, about her career at the bank. “And I worked there for 40 years. I worked up to be a teller. I was dedicated to them and they were good to me. The two grammas would help me out because eventually I had four kids.”

After Laura married her high school sweetheart, Art, they had two daughters and two sons. It didn’t take long for all of them to conclude that she's in the right spot now at River Heights, where she can visit with people and eat in a dining room.

“This place is nice. I like getting to go downstairs to sit with people to eat,” Laura reflects, since her April move-in. “I’ve met a lot of people down there and it’s been enjoyable. I’m really growing attached to the people. I’ve gone out walking with several different ones.”

All four kids’ families can visit often and now that it’s spring, Laura can use the two patios at River Heights where residents enjoy gardening and other outdoor activities. She’s used to that. Laura grew up in Stewart, MN in rural McLeod County, until the family moved to West St. Paul so her dad could be closer to his work in a packing plant at the nearby stock yards.

Laura has stayed safe throughout the pandemic. She also maintains her connections to her lifelong church in West St. Paul. A friend usually picks her up for the services, which have resumed in person.

River Heights offers assisted living in 44 apartments in addition to its 16 memory care suites. Want to learn more about River Heights? Call Franky at 651-326-6501. She would be happy to give you a tour and introduce you to the whole dedicated staff.