Darlene Sykora brightens the days of Romeis residents

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By ELIZABETH HOCHSTEDLER
elizabeth.hochstedler@lee.net
Monday, October 13, 2008 11:39 AM CDT

When Darlene Sykora enters a room at Romeis Apartments, a smile beams on her face.

She smiles because she loves her job and loves interacting with the people she sees everyday.

Sykora, of Chippewa Falls, is the site manager for senior dining out of Romeis Apartments. She also sends free meals for senior citizens across the community with the Department of Aging.

As she walks across the lunch room at the apartment building, she stops and talks to the residents. She knows exactly who is having surgery, who has scheduled doctor’s appointments, and intimate details of their lives.

“Darlene greets us each day with a smile,” wrote resident Velma Chance in a nomination letter. “She laughs with us and sympathizes when we have problems.”

Chance said Sykora goes above and beyond her normal job duties, but Sykora is humble about her work.

“I just do my job,” she said.

Sykora began working with the Department of Aging about a year and a half ago.

She had retired from Mason Shoe after 11 years. Previously she worked in food service for the Chippewa Falls School District and in La Crosse.

But after a few months of retirement, she found herself looking for something to occupy her time.

“I couldn’t see myself sitting at home all day,” she said.

When she ran into Sue Hebert in town, Hebert said she might have a part-time job for Sykora, and Sykora was ready to try something new.

“It just fit,” she said. “I like people.”

The job was especially appealing to her as her mother, Agnes Ackerlund, lives at the Romeis Apartments.

Since starting the job, Sykora has started many friendships with the people she serves.

“The ones that come down and eat in the dining room, we get to know them,” she said. “We like to cheer them up.”

Chance said Sykora tries to brighten the residents’ days everday before the meal even begins.

“Darlene starts the lunch period with a joke, which makes us either laugh or groan and sets the tone for a relaxing and friendly meal,” Chance wrote.

Sykora has been praised for her good nature, and she said the residents also cheer her up each day. She said many are interested in what is going on in her life, and they genuinely care for her.

“They’re fantastic people. They make my day, they really do,” she said. “They make lunchtime fun.”

Sykora is happy that the Department of Aging provides a free meal to seniors who might not otherwise be able to cook.

“It’s a very good service,” she said. “You know, what would these people do (for a meal) if they lived at home?”

She’s observed that the mealtime also provides a social network for the residents. It gives many of them something to look forward to, and a part of the day in which they can dress up for.

“They love to come down. They like the camaraderie, and they like the food,” she said.

And Sykora said seeing those people everyday and knowing they are fed makes her job worthwhile.

“I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t want to because I don’t have to,” she smiled.

And though she could be sitting at home, in her retirement, she continues serving up food to the elderly everyday.

 

Nominations

- The “Who Makes Your Day” feature has been started by nominations from our readers. If you have someone who you can rely on to make you smile during your daily or weekly routine, we want to know . 

- Please include as much detail about the person as possible, as well as your name and contact number, and contact reporter Elizabeth Hochstedler at (715) 738-1608 or via e-mail at elizabeth.hochstedler@lee.net. The person you are nominating must have Chippewa County ties; they should live or work within the county.