Enriched Retirement Living

Mary Beth and Holger Petersen

When Mary Beth and Holger Petersen moved to the South Tower in 2011, they left behind their gorgeous suburban gardens. Saddened by the loss and with time on his hands, Holger soon found an outlet to continue his passion for beautiful green space. As long-time chair of the Garden & Landscape committee, Holger contributed his considerable knowledge,   personal financial resources and countless hours improving and maintaining the many gardens on our campus.

He singlehandedly planted, and for a decade maintained . . .

Kent Mayfield

Kent Mayfield’s career has been in the ministry and higher education in diverse, multicultural settings in the US and abroad. Since 1975, he has combined churchly and academic appointment with research and consultant roles in the non-profit sector often focused on the design and accreditation of adult professional education. He was one of the founders of the Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP), piloting the first advanced degree program for librarians, blending in-person and online learning options for distance students. As a consultant to industry, he created National Building Materials Distributors Foundation . . .

Tony (and Pat) Busalacchi

Tony Busalacchi is a man about town – everybody knows Tony and Tony knows everybody – and for good reason; he has been exceptionally active in the City in a wide variety of roles. 

Following service in the US Navy (on a minesweeper in Korea during the Korean War and later on a submarine) and college in Iowa, Tony returned to his hometown to teach humanities at the high school and university level and later older adults at Osher and the North Shore School for Seniors. He has been involved in school administration serving on the Whitefish Bay and Milwaukee School Boards; civic leadership as a Village Trustee for Whitefish Bay; and support of culture and the arts as Past President of the City of Milwaukee Art Commission . . .

Kathie and Tony Asmuth

Amidst the initial phase of the pandemic, Kathie and Tony Asmuth quietly moved to the North Tower. After a year of imposed restraint, they quickly identified opportunities to engage and support the community they now call home.  

Kathie (along with resident Margot Paddock) was the impetus and expertise behind the North Tower lobby enhancements. Her keen eye created the comfortable, cozy greeting and seating space at modest cost, thanks to her longstanding relationships with vendors . . .

Dr. Jeanette Mitchell

Dr. Jeanette Mitchell, or Dr. J, as she prefers to be called, is one busy woman. She is the founder of the African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee, an initiative addressing the development and sustainability of Black leadership throughout Milwaukee. She is also the Chief Creative Officer of Leadership by Dr. Jeanette, a consultancy focused on engaging in creative partnerships to direct, design and manage leadership development programs throughout the Greater Milwaukee community. Dr. J previously served as Program Director for the Cardinal Stritch . . .

Old Friends Remain Connected

In 1954, a group of young mothers, most living a few blocks from one another on Milwaukee’s east side, started a book club. At that time, book clubs provided the rare chance for intelligent, curious women to share their thoughts, and perhaps some frustrations, over lunch and an enjoyable read. Books ranging from classics to bestsellers provoked conversations on topics from religion to riots, terrorism to tragedy, civil rights to marijuana. Over the years, several authors were invited into club members’ homes to talk about their books the club was reading. . .

Shared Interest Leads to New Friendships

What do a physician from Brookfield, a public policy analyst from Door County and a banker from Menomonee Falls have in common other than they and their wives moved to the North Tower in 2020? A love of beer! Well, they certainly landed in the right neighborhood – there are 4 microbreweries within a mile of Saint John’s. Alan Hilgeman, Sam Carmen and Erik Moeser began meeting last summer on Tuesday afternoons for a stroll and a refreshment. . .