Celebrating Good Sam: The First 25 Years

This year, Good Samaritan is celebrating its 75^th anniversary of providing care to those who need it most. As we reflect on our remarkable journey, it is essential to acknowledge the vision and generosity that laid the foundation for today’s success. Over the coming months, we’ll be telling our story (so far) in The Goods, helping Good Samaritans across the organization connect with our roots and celebrate our rich history.

The Gift, The Vision, and the First Good Samaritan Home

In 1949, Gottlieb Wedman, a farmer from Leduc, recognized the growing need for a seniors’ home in his community. At the time, there was no formal government strategy for long term care; privately-run institutions and hospitals lacked the capacity for Alberta’s growing (and aging) population. Wedman’s concern ultimately led to action, and on June 15, 1949, he presented the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Western Canada with a gift of $7000, with the request the money be used for an “old folks’ home.”

While the Synod was overjoyed with the gift, they recognized that Wedman’s donation would not be enough. They appointed a committee to generate interest and support, and by the end of 1949, the newly-formed (Bethesda) Lutheran Home Society began taking the first steps towards realizing Gottlieb Wedman’s dream.

Over the next several years, the Society worked tirelessly to garner support and raise funds for the home. After nearly five years of struggles and successes, the Society finally broke ground for the Good Samaritan Auxiliary Hospital on April 19, 1954. By May 15, 1955, the 70-bed facility was complete and welcomed its first patients, Mr. Hagget and Mrs. Seivwright, on June 15.

Expanding and Extending Care

The new Hospital quickly gained a reputation for its comfort and quality of care, especially in contrast to the poor conditions in other long term care facilities in Canada at that time. In the January 1958 issue of Liberty magazine, The Good Samaritan Hospital was recognized as one of the best places for the elderly in Canada, noting “[if it] were twice the size […] we could fill every bed, and still have a waiting list.”

This praise made the Society’s next steps clear: more beds and homes would be required to fulfill our mission of helping those in need. In 1957, a motion was made to seek approval for a 100-bed expansion to the Auxiliary Hospital. Ground was broken on the expansion in 1959, with the new wing opening on May 14, 1961. Additionally, two new facilities were constructed in the coming decade: Good Samaritan Mount Pleasant opened in 1965, while Good Samaritan Stony Plain opened in 1968. In total, the two new facilities offered nearly 270 new beds, showcasing the Society’s commitment to meeting the increasing demand for care.

In addition to physical space for the elderly, the Society recognized many other needs of those in their care and beyond. In 1958, Reverend Emil Walker volunteered to provide pastoral care, laying the groundwork for addressing the spiritual needs of our residents. Even outside of our homes, Good Samaritans were ready to support the community. In 1962, the Society, in partnership with Bonnie Doon High School, pioneered the integration of students with mobility issues into regular classrooms, setting an inclusive precedent for the public school system. Later in the decade, the Society initiated a shelter program for homeless, chronic alcoholics in cooperation with the Marian Centre. In 1969, in cooperation with the Victorian Order of Nurses, the Society pioneered one of the first Meals-on-Wheels programs in Western Canada, serving 6565 meals to 121 clients in a year and a half.

A New Era

As the Sixties drew to a close, change was afoot for the Society. As the organization grew, the need for restructuring was necessary; on April 13, 1969, the Society’s name was officially changed to The Good Samaritan Society (A Lutheran Social Service Organization). This change was intended to better reflect the organization’s mission during this period: to “engage in all manner of Christian Welfare.”

Although Good Samaritan worked on many different projects during this time, the focus ultimately remained on long term care. In 1972, construction began on Good Samaritan Southgate Centre, a $2 million state-of-the-art facility with room for 225 new residents. The care home opened on October 21, 1973, quickly becoming the largest Good Samaritan facility and setting the stage for the next 25 years of Good Samaritan hospitality.

As we celebrate the first 25 years of Good Samaritan, we honor our founders, volunteers, and dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly to create a legacy of compassion and care. Looking ahead, we remain committed to serving with the same passion, dedication, and spirit of community that has defined us since our inception. Look out for the next 25 years of Good Samaritan history in the next issue of The Goods!

 

Board Presidents

1949 Gottlieb Wedman, Founder

1949-52 Rev. Eduard Duesterhoeft

1952-55 Rev. Arnold Wilkiw

1955-59 George Steinbring

1959-60 Rev. Fred Schole

1960-63 H. Bert Boren

1963-64 Robert Tegler

1964-71 Prof Arthur Erikkson

1971-74 Gordon Rasmussen

 

Lutheran Home Society Executive Staff

1955-59 Hospital Matrons

Mrs. Mary Boehme

Mrs. Richardson

Mrs. J.A. Kirby

Mrs. W. Lyons

Muriel Jarvis

 

1956-59 Superintendent / Executive Secretary Martha Goos

1959-62 Executive Secretary George Steinbring

1964-66 Executive Secretary Norman Haug

1967-72 Executive Director George Hennig