Our History

In 1971, a seed of compassion was planted in the heart of Prairie du Sac — a seed nurtured by five devoted individuals who heard the quiet yet urgent call of their community. At the time, Sauk Prairie Hospital had been the place where seniors received care, but its leadership recognized a changing future. They knew their focus was needed in acute hospital services, and with both vision and heart, they encouraged the creation of something new — something deeply rooted in community, dignity, and respect for life’s later chapters.

That encouragement sparked the founding of Maplewood, a home not born from obligation, but from love — the kind of love that sees aging not as decline, but as a sacred continuation of a person’s story.

At the helm stood Tom Kraemer, Maplewood’s first administrator. Tom, alongside the founding five, led with both structure and soul. They built Maplewood on a strong foundation of skilled care — comfort, safety, and medical excellence — but knew that wasn’t enough. Their mission was bigger: to help every resident not only be cared for, but to keep living fully.

And live fully, they did.

Maplewood quickly became more than a care facility — it became a vibrant extension of the community. From the earliest days, its halls echoed with music, laughter, and the warmth of human connection. Local school children caroled through the halls during the holidays. Girl Scout troops visited with badges earned and stories to share. Community members demonstrated sauerkraut-making, clog dancing, juggling — each act weaving another thread into the fabric of Maplewood’s culture.

Residents didn’t just stay busy — they stayed engaged. They went fishing, played cards, wove rugs, made jams and pies, and danced to live performances from local bands like Buttons and Banjos. Staff weren’t just caregivers — they were co-adventurers, ensuring that even with age and medical needs, life still held moments of joy, meaning, and discovery.

And then, there was the day an elephant ran through the building.

It was September 1, 1977, when a traveling circus came to town. Amid the buzz of setup, a loud crash rang out — the sound of a tent pole falling — and one of the performers, a majestic elephant named Barbara, was startled. In a flash, she bolted from the circus grounds, galloping through town as circus staff and townspeople scrambled behind.

Barbara’s wild detour led her straight to Maplewood, whose L-shaped building might have seemed like a dead end — but not to her. In a moment that’s become local legend, Barbara, in true Kool-Aid Man fashion, busted through the front doors, trotted past the nurse’s station, down the hallway, and out the exit doors on the other side.

Thankfully, no residents were harmed — most were in the dining room at the time — but Barbara left her mark on ceilings, doorways, and the collective memory of Maplewood. Her story lives on as a symbol of resilience, surprise, and the joyful unpredictability of life. Because even in the face of the unexpected, Maplewood has always responded with grace, humor, and the steady heartbeat of community.

As times changed — as more women entered the workforce, and families faced new caregiving challenges — Maplewood stood as a pillar of support. It gave families the peace of knowing their loved ones were not only safe, but truly cared for — emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Faith has always had a special place here. Each week, clergy members and musical groups came through the doors, offering moments of reflection and worship. Residents’ spiritual lives were nurtured with the same care as their medical needs — because here, hearts and souls matter just as much as health records.

Through every homemade pie crust, every chapel hymn, every fishing trip and dance step, Maplewood honored its founding mission: to provide excellent care while creating a place where people could continue to live, love, and thrive.

It was — and still is — a sanctuary. A home born of community, built on compassion, and sustained by the simple, powerful belief that every life is worth celebrating.