Beverly Hoffman

I grew up in the small town of Kimberly in Wisconsin. I am the oldest of one sister and two brothers-all living. I had great parents, both deceased.   When I was in 6th grade I knew I wanted to be a nurse and took all the required classes in high school. I applied to a number of schools. My priest suggested a Catholic school and the family doctor said Rochester.   I chose St. Mary's in Rochester, Minn. and was accepted in 1954 and graduated in 1957. Great education, great friendships formed, and still keep in touch with some of them and have attended a number of reunions. What kept me in training during the hard days was my mom who wrote me every day for three years and my dad who was so proud of me that I did not want to disappoint him.

 My husband and I married in 1958 and had five children, one daughter and four sons (which gave us 10 grandchildren). We started out our married life in Willmar, Minn. and were transferred to the Chicago area where I went back to nursing at St. James, working in Med-Surg.  Another transfer took us to Eau Claire, WI where I again did Med-Surg and Rehab nursing. The kids became very involved in activities so I went into clinic nursing.  This was my longest career, 23 years of working with two great Internal Medicine docs.  It was a great professional relationship and teamwork. The patients would send cards from their trips and bring in pictures of grandkids.  

I retired in 1999 and love it (loved my work and the people I met and worked with). I am now able to do lots of things.  Did a lot of traveling both in the states and abroad. Bible study, book club, card playing and I have a zillion pictures I took over the 

years, active in my church and community.  

I want to take this opportunity to applaud today's nurses with all the technology that is in place.  But a special thank you to our heroes during the pandemic.   My blessing to each of you!