Senior residences in Iola  have new owners

By Holly Neumann

Iola Living Assistance Inc. announced the sale of Living Oaks and The Willows to NEST Senior Living, owned by Jim and Krista Mendyke.

“Our mission has always been to keep our facilities open, to care for our vulnerable residents and to keep jobs in the community,” ILA Board of Directors president Betty Kuhr said. “We believe we are serving our residents and the Iola community with this decision. Putting Living Oaks and The Willows in the hands of a well-known, experienced health care organization is the best positive action we could take.”

Brandi Jorgensen, director of both facilities, said she is excited to start the new journey as part of the NEST family.

“This is the best way to ensure that we can continue to run long-term,” she said. “We are looking forward at the longevity of the facilities.”

Jorgensen will remain as director and all employees will keep their jobs.

“The relationship with NEST offers us more support in the way of staffing and also support with our supplies and services for our residents,” Jorgensen said.

The new owners would like to carry on Chet Krause’s vision and mission for the facilities, she said.

“We are honored to have recently acquired Living Oaks and The Willows,” Jim and Krista Mendyke wrote in a letter to current residents and their families.

They feel they have many parallels with Krause, including their entrepreneurial spirits; down-to earth demeanor; and true passion for caring and giving back to their local communities.

“So far, we have been welcomed with open arms,” Krista Mendyke said. “Do not hesitate to stop and say hello when you see us at the buildings. We look forward to meeting you all.”

A meet-and-greet event, which will include a pig roast, will be held sometime in June.

Living Oaks has been a part of the Iola communitysince 2007, while The Willows opened three years ago.

CORRECTION: The original post indicated that Living Oaks has been part of the Iola Community for 22 years. It opened in 2007.