Pleasant View, a Lutheran Life Community in Ottawa, Illinois, is pleased to announce the hiring of Becky Cattani as the community’s Administrator. A graduate of Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, Becky’s most recent career positions were as Nursing Home Administrator in the Quad Cities and Rockford Areas. In the 80’ and 90’s, Becky was employed in Ottawa by the State of Illinois Department of Child and Family Services.

Becky says, “Returning to Ottawa is like coming home. It is good to work side-by-side with people who share your values and history. I am so very grateful for the generosity and welcoming spirit that I have encountered here each and every day. It Is such an exciting time to join Pleasant View and Lutheran Life Communities. Our shared mission, ‘Empowering vibrant, grace-filled living across all generations’ is ever-present and at the forefront every day. The opening of Hearthstone Assisted Living is almost here, as is the completion of the Health Care Pavilion renovation on the Pleasant View campus. I am thrilled to be able to celebrate all that these new offerings will bring to the entire community.”

Pleasant View is excited to welcome Rev. Peter Ward to the role of Pleasant View Chaplain. In this new call Pastor Peter will lead programs for spiritual wellness and Christian growth for residents, staff, volunteers and the extended community.

Pastor Peter was born in Portage La Prairie, Canada. His family moved to north-central Minnesota when he began the 10th grade. Before following God’s call into ministry, he worked 23 years for an agricultural seed company. He was ordained by the Association of Free Lutheran Theological Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has served congregations in Newfolden, Minnesota; Vernon, British Columbia; and, most recently, Faith Lutheran Church in Ottawa.

Pastor Peter has been married to his wife Mary Ann for 35 years and they have four children, one daughter and triplet sons. Steffany is married and in her first year of residency as a pediatrician in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Michael is a senior at North Dakota State University. Mitch is a Marine in Presidential Security, stationed at Camp David, Maryland. Tony is a Marine currently at Camp Pendleton, California, soon to be deployed to Afghanistan.

Pastor Peter Ward is looking forward to the new work the Lord has called him to at Pleasant View. And Pleasant View is happy to welcome you, Pastor Peter!

Residents are now enjoying the first renovated half of Pleasant View’s Health Care Pavilion. With moves from the old side to the new side recently finished, residents and their families now have a better feel and appreciation for what the completed project will provide. The new spas, private rooms and thoughtfully designed features of the new residences promote wellness and vibrant community life for residents and short-term rehabilitation guests.

Pleasant View professionals and other Lutheran Life Communities colleagues played a big role in this successful transition for residents and their families. Many thanks to all of those who stepped away from other roles to assure comfortable moves took place. The transition plan went extremely well!

Renovations have now begun on the second half of the building.

Life Service Network (LSN), a state organization committed to the advancement of quality and innovation in older adult services, presented Pleasant View with their distinguished Partner in Quality Award on December 10th.

Pleasant View, a Lutheran Life Community in Ottawa, Illinois is in the midst of campus repositioning that is bringing the senior living community of tomorrow to the Ottawa area today. A renovated Health Care Pavilion, all-new Hearthstone Assisted Living and independent living options are to be completed. As this repositioning is going on, Pleasant View has maintained visible advocacy efforts on the behalf of seniors and their families, hosting elected officials and educational offerings relating to today’s older adults.

Pleasant View is committed to being an LSN Partner in Quality, and honored by this recognition.

Invitees from around Ottawa and neighboring communities recently gathered at Pleasant View for a “Sneak Peek” at what health care residents and their families will soon be enjoying. The warm, neighborhood settings being created throughout the Health Care Pavilion will better match the excellent, resident-centered services always found at Pleasant View, a Lutheran Life Community.

Residents will begin moving into completed health care neighborhoods at the end of this month.

The next phase of Pleasant View’s new offerings will open an all-new assisted living community called Hearthstone. Hearthstone Assisted Living at Pleasant View is scheduled to open in the spring of 2011. New Villa Homes and renovated community amenities are also planned for Pleasant View.