Hiking for Hospice

Many of the hikers at the Hike for Hospice at Olinger Mount Lindo Cemetery on June 27 came not only to support hospice work but to remember loved ones.

About 450 hikers of all ages, sizes and shapes trekked up the steept, 2½-mile winding road, some carrying pictures of their loved ones and all wearing runners’ bibs with the name of loved ones written on them.

For 12 years, Olinger Mount Lindo Cemetery has sponsored the Hike for Hospice, which benefits Porter Hospice and St. Anthony Hospice. Both help people though their end-of-life journeys, providing support for them and their families.

All funds raised at the event support hospice services not reimbursed by the Medicare hospice benefit. More than $68,000 has been raised to support the two hospices over the past five years.

Taking time to remember
One group that made the trip up to the cemetery proudly wore blue T-shirts with a picture of Betty Oestman on them. Oestman, a family member, sorority sister and a nurse at Porter Hospital for 22 years, died on March 23, 2010, after a five-year battle with cancer.

“We loved Betty, and this is a great cause,” said Kathy Garrison, Oestman’s sorority sister.

Friends who comforted Oestman during her final days said she was surrounded by love and was well cared for by hospice workers.

“There’s just no better place than hospice when the need is there,” said Joan Schlaefer of Centennial.
The group released a dove in Oestman’s memory. Standing in silence, the group watched as the dove winged its way into the hazy sky.

A change of heart
Cindi Pursely of Bailey became passionate about hospice care after her grandmother used hospice 24 years ago. Pursely was a nurse in hospital intensive-care units and said that back then she knew nothing about end-of-life care options. She said she began working in hospice care on the same day her grandmother died.

Pursely said it’s an honor when patients and their families allow her to come into their lives.

“I went from saving people to allowing them to die naturally and with dignity,” she said.

Remembering through art
Three-year-old Naomi brought handmade pictures for Grandpa Doug, who died in 2006. Naomi, who lives in Morrison, walked the entire distance to Olinger Mount Lindo with her grandmother, Sherri Herren of Frederick.

“It was his birthday yesterday, and I think it’s kind of a good sign to come up to the cemetery,” Herren said.

Last year, Gretchen Norman of Conifer, a bereavement counselor for both hospices, helped design a memorial board, a place for written messages or artwork. Norman said the board is brought to the cemetery for each Hike for Hospice event, and people can add another design or even another date to their memorial.

This year, about 100 people created personally crafted messages to place on the board.

“We believe strongly in hospice organizations and their work to assist ailing members of our community,” said Stacie Schubert, director of public relations and community outreach for Olinger Mortuaries and Cemeteries.

Gail Hamilton of Englewood made the slow trek up the hill, guided both by her white cane and friends.

“Hospice is a great thing, and people should be allowed to die with dignity,” Hamilton said. “My grandmother died in hospice care. The least I can do is hike a few miles to help out the hospice.”

This story ran in the June 30, 2010 edition of the High Timber Times