October 22, 2014 at 5:30 p.m.
New owners set to take over Grace Lodge Assisted Living
New owners set to take over Grace Lodge Assisted Living
Built and opened in 2003, the facility has been owned by Terry and Lynne Friese since its inception, but that will change Oct. 31.
Terry Friese said health concerns have forced him to step down.
"I had a health event that caused my wife and I to start talking about (the future), so we went through the process of deciding what is the next thing that we need to do if something were to happen to me. We decided at that point in time that it's the right time to come up with an exit strategy and to think about leaving the business," he said.
"We wanted to do it in a manner and fashion that would be as orderly as possible so that my wife wouldn't be left with crisis management, which would be harmful not only to her, but also to the facility and the people that live and work here."
During that process, Friese said he and his wife knew they wanted to leave the facility in the hands of someone who has a caring nature and shares their values.
"We wanted to find a successor who would come in with similar values and that would retain much of the value system that we've had while operating the facility," he said.
"What was important to us was we wanted to find someone who cared for people as opposed to a corporate entity who had a portfolio. ... What was most important to my wife and I was that we find somebody who would come in and be committed to the residents and to the community and to the staff people."
Sprik and Tobin fit the bill, he said.
"When I first heard about Cal, it was, well, we've got a guy from Wausau who's in Rhinelander a lot. He knows Rhinelander. He's a medical professional. He knows the population. So, we got intrigued," Friese said.
"From there, the momentum picked up and started building. We met and now here we are in the transition, and it's been a very good transition."
Sprik, who began his career as a pharmacist before going to medical school to become an ophthalmologist, said he was thrilled when he learned of the Frieses' decision.
"From the beginning, I thought that if this could work out, this was really going to be the best and when I found out we were chosen, it was a great feeling," he said. "(My wife) is from Sugar Camp and has a father in Sugar Camp so we're up here a lot for family stuff, ... so we're very happy this worked out."
Tobin concurred.
"Meeting Terry and Lynne, it was like it was meant to be, not just because it's where I grew up, but because of the people they are," she said.
"They're Christian-based and they care about the people. They didn't build it to make money. They built it because they care about the people and that's something we hope to carry on."
"Assisted living, if it's done right, is a great support for people. They feel like this is home for them, and we're going to make sure to keep it that way," Sprik added.
That last point is key, Sprik noted. After spending a lot of time in the facility recently, he said he's seen that it's operating well, meaning no changes are anticipated as he takes over.
"During the transition, I'd like to keep things as good as they are now, and then going forward, seeing if there's anything I can do to make things better," he said.
"Right now, I don't see that there's a whole lot wrong with this place, to be honest. I think it's got a great reputation. The people here are happy. The staff is happy to work here. I'm not going to reinvent the wheel."
"Going forward, we'll have to see what the community needs," he added.
"There's always the possibility for expansion down the road, but at this point, we just want to keep a good thing going."
That means Sprik will not be looking to put his mark on the facility. Instead, he just wants to make sure quality care is continued.
"We're not looking at making any big changes," he said. "It it's not broke, don't fix it. That's my motto."
"We want to be able to offer our elders what we would want, and it's not sitting in a room and not having any opportunities," Tobin added.
"This place is gorgeous. Terry and Lynne have done a fabulous job. There's so many beautiful things to do here. It's a family and it's a home and we're going to keep it like that."
Sprik said he's simply hoping to offer a place for people to go and enjoy themselves when they are no longer able to live at home.
"If a person is in a situation or place in their life where they need a good, happy, friendly place to be and don't have the ability anymore to be at home, then this is a great place for them," he said.
"They're going to be treated with respect and with grace."
As for Friese, he said he's thankful for all of the support he and his wife have received as they've operated Grace Lodge.
"My wife and I feel that it's been a real privilege for us to participate in this facility, to be a part of it," he said.
"We're grateful for the support that the Rhinelander community and Oneida County has given us. We hope that we've been a good partner for the community that has been so supportive of us. We have an excellent staff here and we've been very proud to have been coworkers of these people. They are the best."
Marcus Nesemann may be reached at [email protected].
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