All decked out for the Holidays, the Henderson Singspiration is pictured at one of last year’s December Christmas programs.
Front row L to R: Nelda Thiessen, Kathy Friesen, Donna Thieszen, Joyce Nunnenkamp; middle row: Charlene Goertzen, Aldena Siebert, Doris Kroeker; back row: Sandra Quiring, Karen Dahlke, Alice Decker, Wilma Dick, Veronica Friesen, Lela Regier, Laverna Quiring- courtesy photo
For more than half a century, Singspiration has been a fixture in the quiet halls and cheerful gathering rooms of local nursing homes. Henderson’s Singspiration began in 1973 as part of the then-called RSVP program, a City of Henderson initiative to serve the senior population.
Today, the group numbers around 15, and they meet every Monday morning at the Living Hope Church for an hour-long practice. “Beverly Vaught, who was the RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) Director, organized the Singspiration group in 1973. They first met to practice and have coffee together at the Midtown Manor, where there was a piano,” said the group’s current director, Aldena Siebert.
The group—never flashy, never seeking the spotlight—is all women. “We sing mostly familiar old hymns from the Mennonite hymnals, which the elderly appreciate. We all love to sing and have mostly grown up in the area; our voices blend well,” said Singspiration member Kathy Friesen. They have members from several area churches-Bethesda Mennonite, FEBC, Living Hope, and Zion Lutheran.
As Director, Siebert is responsible for selecting the music. “We sing about 80 songs during the year. Right now, we are practicing our Christmas music because we have three programs scheduled in December,” said Siebert.
The group is at its weekly practice session in the Living Hope Church conference room.
“Aldena does a wonderful job coordinating our music,” said Charlene Goertzen, the group’s pianist. “When I joined five years ago, I planned on just singing, but ended up accompanying!”
The group has had many members come and go, but a few long-time pianists remembered by the group were Mary Smith, Nancy Braun, and Sandra Quiring. Janice Jost volunteered for many years as the director.
Their programs include about 11-12 songs and are interspersed with scripture readings, poems, stories, and devotionals that coordinate with the time of year or a holiday. They take turns reading these each month, and Siebert creates and prints the monthly programs.
“It’s so great to see the residents sing along or mouth the words with us. It’s truly a rewarding ministry for both us and the care center residents, ” said Goertzen.
Singspiration members singing at the Henderson Legacy Square Care Center in November are seated front row, L to R: Wilma Dick, Nelda Thiessen, Karen Dahlke, Donna Thieszen, Veronica Friesen, Aldena Siebert, and Charlene Goertzen on piano; back row standing: Barb Reetz, Donna Regier, Joyce Nunnenkamp, Doris Kroeker, Lela Regier, Kathy Friesen, LaVerna Quiring
Every first Friday of the month, they sing at the Legacy Square Care Center in Henderson, the first Monday at Westview Care Center in Aurora, several times a year at the Stromsburg nursing home, and occasionally at the Sutton Community Home.
The group has enjoyed a few perks on their travels, including a stop at PK’s for the fried chicken dinner in Benedict after they sing in Stromsburg. “They always want us to sing the doxology, so since the cook couldn’t hear us, we went to the kitchen last December to sing especially for her. She was touched,” said Friesen.
When talking about the ages of some of the members, they laugh about their youngest member, who just turned 65. “I was looking for something to do after I retired when Singspiration member Doris Kroeker told me about the group,” said Joyce Nunnenkamp, their youngest member.
Age is no barrier for this group of dedicated women who love to sing. Two of their eldest members, Wilma Dick and Nelda Friesen, are both 90ish. No matter your age, the Singspiration group welcomes new members!
“I enjoy the fellowship of women we have who can share our concerns and pray together,” said Goertzen. The group doesn’t usually have coffee together when they practice, but occasionally, for special occasions like Christmas, they do.
What a legacy and long history the Singspiration has to be proud of! This is a hidden gem of a group that often gets overlooked, and Heartlandbeat is happy to share their remarkable story. It’s rare for a group to have stayed together for over 50 years and maintained its mission and purpose. If you see any of these ladies, make sure to thank them for this often-overlooked joyful ministry to the elderly.
