| History of Gold Crest
Gold Crest Retirement Center was founded in 1984 resulting from
a bequest of the Bessie Levi Estate. Bessie Levi and her husband
George, envisioned a need for a health care facility within the
area of Adams. It was their dream that a complete health care facility
be created to provide an environment that would enable the elderly
to receive the best in health care and rehabilitation.
It is the good fortune of the Adams Community that George and Bessie
Levi had this vision. Through this generous gift, it has become
a major desire for all concerned within the Adams Community, to
achieve this vision and dream.
Many were involved with the overall planning, building, and work,
which finally created the existing structure and overall dreams
for this health care which Bessie and George envisioned. Each step
included support and family ideals, which prevails in the Adams
Community. The history of this accomplishment is incomplete without
the knowledge of the hardship and courage of the early "community"
gave in order to bring this generous gift to being.
A total of 2,500 acres of land was given which when sold, totaled
over 2.5 million dollars. These dollars have been utilized to build
the existing 52 bed Skilled facility with the 35 bed Assisted Living
apartments for use by those needing this special attention. A pharmacy,
health clinic, beauty parlor, three dining rooms, restorative room,
and a very special chapel for the enjoyment of all who enter was
included into the complex. The money for this project came from
a long line of hard working pioneers who, like George and Bessie,
believed in hard work and community spirit.
These pioneers, James B. and Salathiel Coffman were born in Mt.
Morris, Illinois and came to Nebraska in 1881. They formed a partnership
in the farming, and Salathiel and his wife; Lillie lived on a farm
southwest of Adams until 1909 and then moved to Lincoln. Lillie
died in 1934 and Salathiel in 1946. They had two children, Marian,
a daughter who died in 1945 and Bessie. Bessie and George Levi were
married in 1921. They lived in Lincoln all of their married lives.
In 1970, George and Bessie sought assistance in making their will
and determined that their estate should provide donations to various
worthy causes. The bulk of their estate was left for building Gold
Crest. This offer was contingent upon the willingness of Henry Gramann,
Jr. to assure that he would see the building and maintenance of
the quality health facility, which would offer the best of care
to its recipients. In addition, a long time friend and attorney,
Charles Phillips was asked to assist in the project. As Judge Van
Pelt noted in his dedication address, "There are three purposes
for a retirement center, 1.) to cure whenever possible, 2.) to relieve
from pain and injuries and 3.) to provide for comfort even when
permanent cure and relief are impossible". This then was the
intent from the beginning and the Adams Community was challenged
to continue in the same way, offering their time and efforts to
continue this beginning.
This facility is lead by a five-member board of
Directors. Those original members were Henry Gramann Jr., Albert
Siefkes, Lorin Wusk, Lawrence Murphy, and Karl Gramann. There has
been some changes on the Board since it's beginning; Ronald Sutter,
taking the spot of Lawrence Murphy, Susan Hershberger who replaced
Everett Larson after his death. Everett originally took the spot
of Lorin Wusk. Chris Gramann replaced Karl Gramann, who retired
from the Board. Max Gramann, being added to the board, and Henry
Gramann, Jr., being made Chairman of the Board, Emeritus.
George and Bessie Levi
Through their gifts, Gold Crest was possible...
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