Sidney Health Center Extended Care recently named Patti Schwenke the 2025 Resident of the Year. Patti was honored at a celebration on March 18 in the dining room at Extended Care. Family, friends, residents and staff gathered to celebrate the occasion with a brief program including a cake in her honor and refreshments.
Patti has been an integral part of the Extended Care community since November 2024, embodying the kindness, compassion, and respect that the Resident of the Year award is meant to recognize. Staff members describe her as someone who is always welcoming to others and makes people feel comfortable and included. Patti is always willing to lend a helping hand whenever she can and treats everyone with kindness and respect, no matter who they are. Her positive attitude and friendly nature help make the Extended Care community a warmer and more welcoming place for both residents and staff.
Patti was born in Glendive, Montana, to Alvin and Ruth Maschera. She grew up with her siblings, Richard, JoAnne and Emagene, and graduated from Savage High School before attending beauty school in Miles City.
In 1971, she met Robert “Bob” Schwenke, and the two married soon after, beginning life as an Army family. They lived in Germany, where their son Bobby was born and Patti worked in a hat factory, before moving to Tacoma, Washington, where their daughter Tami was born. After Bob’s retirement from the Army, they settled in Sidney, where their daughter Angela was born, completing their family.
Patti spent many years working as a cook in several Sidney restaurants, including the South 40, Corner Kitchen, and M&M Café, where she built strong connections within the community. She also spent 15 years driving the Richland Roundup Senior Citizen Bus, a role she truly enjoyed.
Family has always been central to Patti’s life. She is a proud grandmother and great-grandmother who treasures time spent with loved ones. She especially enjoys family traditions, including the Phares Family Reunion, where she often helps plan meals and cook for large gatherings. Another meaningful tradition is the family’s annual ravioli-making event. Each year, they prepare around 50 dozen ravioli for their Christmas meal using a cherished recipe passed down from her grandparents, who immigrated from Italy.
Patti is also known for her talent in beadwork, creating beautiful jewelry and keepsakes to share with family and friends.
Through quality nursing care, activities, self-improvement, and friendships, Extended Care proves there is more to aging than growing old. The goal is to provide variety and spontaneity in an enlivened environment so that residents can succeed where pills and therapies fail. In short, Sidney Health Center Extended Care believes:
- Aging is a natural and normal life process
- Aging should not limit a person's right to experience life to its fullest
- People should be able to live their life at their highest level of health, independence, and well-being
Often, people feel more comfortable in surroundings that meet their individual needs for friendships and activities, as well as safety. In striving to meet each individual's unique and specific needs, Extended Care offers specialized environments with specialized staff.
For more information about the services that Sidney Health Center Extended Care offers, visit our website at SidneyHealth.org/Extended-Care or call 406-488-2300.