Sanford nurse and 'everyone's friend' retires after 60 years

Sanford LPN Carol Wieneke retired in December after working at Sanford Luverne for her entire 60-year career.

If you follow her around the hallways for a mere five minutes, or maybe even one or two, you’ll see Carol Wieneke is a friend to all at Sanford Health in Luverne, Minnesota.

In that short period of time, you’ll probably hear at least 20-30 ‘hello’s’, ‘hey Carol’s’, or maybe even a ‘there’s the legend.’

She’s been an LPN at Sanford Luverne for 60 years. And yes, you read that right.

She pretty much knows everybody.

‘I really enjoyed these 60 years’

Three years ago, Wieneke’s friend Vicki Nelson, a former Sanford Luverne LPN, retired after 44 years.

“She texted me this morning. Just telling me to have a great day and enjoy it. Her and I spent a lot of years together and we’re really good buds,” Wieneke said.

They’re not just ‘buds,’ they’re practically sisters. They worked together for all of Nelson’s 44 years.

“We’re always there for each other,” said Wieneke.

In September of 2020, Wieneke’s husband passed away, and Nelson was there for her when she needed her most.

“He always told me that he was proud of me. He passed away three years ago, and I keep thinking to myself, ‘why isn’t he here to go through all of this with me.’ He would’ve really liked that, and I would have too,” said Wieneke.

She said ‘see ya’ later’ to her longtime co-worker and friend Nelson 3 years ago. But now, it’s Wieneke’s turn to clock out for the final time.

“I really enjoyed these 60 years. It was good, it was good,” she said while reflecting on six decades at Sanford Luverne.

Finding joy at work

After working at the same place for 60 straight years, Wieneke said “of course” she’s gone through a few lulls here and there.

She even considered leaving at one point, “but somebody snitched on me,” she laughed.

Finding joy in the simple moments – and choosing to see all the sources of joy at work – has kept her at Sanford Health for over half a century.

“If you don’t enjoy your work, you don’t do good work. I know everybody has to have a job, and sometimes you take it because you need a job, but if you don’t enjoy it, don’t stay. Life’s too short.

“In the end, you have to find your niche of what you really, really enjoy and what you’re fulfilled with and at the end of the day, you can go home and say to yourself that you did a good job.”

And Wieneke’s niche is people.

“I like health care and I like people and there’s lots of people to see here,” she chuckled. “I’m a little bit of a social butterfly, and I make friends really easily,” she added.

One of the reasons everyone gravitates toward Carol is because she’s good at her job, and she’s genuine with her coworkers.

Just ask her fellow Sanford Luverne LPN of 13 years Cheryl Groen.

“Carol is one of those people who doesn’t put on a show. She’s not afraid to show her true feelings. You can tell immediately; she actually cares about the patients and about her fellow staff. She always intentionally asks how they’re doing, and truly listens. She’s not judgmental. She takes people for what they are and where they are in their own lives and tries to see what’s best for people,” said Groen.

“In this day and society, it’s very rare to find someone, and an employee, like Carol. She’s a genuine, good worker who you can truly rely on. And especially in the world we live in today, it is very important to have someone like Carol,” she added.

It’s not goodbye, it’s see ya later

Wieneke treated every person like a family member because, for 60 years, Sanford Luverne was her home away from home.

“She pretty much raised the family here with her morals and values and bringing that to our site,” Groen said.

Groen said she’d encourage anyone to show appreciation to their co-workers, because you never know what the future might hold.

“Changes in life come and you might never have that chance again to show them how much you appreciate [them], how much they’ve done for you in their life and in your work experience. We don’t hear that enough.

“Sometimes we say we hear more bad things to improve on, than good things to live on. And so, I think you need to look at Carol’s good and live on that forever. Because there was no bad,” she said.

Even though there is plenty of sadness, Groen knows this isn’t a forever goodbye. Wieneke said she’ll stop by to both volunteer at the hospital and just check in with everyone from time to time.

And if Wieneke says she’ll do it, it will happen.

“She won’t be my coworker anymore, but she’ll be my friend forever,” Groen said.

To learn more about jobs at Sanford Health, visit growthegood.com.