Kris Weidert goes above and beyond for Veterans – according to just about anyone who knows her. In particular, she was recently honored by her union, AFSCME Local 2225 (Council 5), with the Never Quit Service Award!

Kris is a Therapy Human Services Technician (HST) at Minnesota Veterans Homes-Luverne.

"Kris is very deserving of this award. Every day she goes above and beyond," said Maggie Fick, Weidert's manager and the Director of Nursing at the Luverne Veterans Home.

Weidert, who has worked at the facility for more than 25 years, has no plans to retire anytime soon.

"This is a job where I get to get up and go. It helps me stay active. I have no thoughts of leaving because I like it here. I love my job!" she said.

A typical day for Weidert includes arriving early to assist Residents out of bed, wheeling them to therapy or taking them for a walk. Some Residents even ask her to play a hand of cards. Weidert's shifts are full—she may care for as many as 30 Residents each day.

"Her Residents know her. They enjoy her. And Kris knows their personalities and their individual needs inside and out," Fick said.

Weidert enjoys making the Residents smile and knows how important her role is. "When you bring your loved one here, you gain another family member in someone like me. We don’t just take care of the Residents, we take care of their family, too," she said.

Fick acknowledged how difficult it can be for families to bring a loved one to a nursing home. "There is a lot of trust built between our staff, the Residents and their families. We don't just meet their physical needs, but their emotional needs as well. And we're proud of Kris for doing that each day," she said.

There are eight Veterans homes across Minnesota available to eligible Veterans and spouses. For more information or to request an application, visit /mdva/homes/index.jspMinnesotaVeteran.org/Homes.