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Staff at Spalding St John’s Care Home celebrate decade of looking after Elsie




Staff at St John’s Care Home celebrated ten years of caring for Elsie Schweikhardt who became a resident in July 2013, at the age of 84, and has become an established member of the Spalding site.

The staff arranged for some balloons, a bouquet of flowers, a pot plant for her room and a certificate to mark the special occasion.

These were presented to Elsie in her room, surrounded by members of staff, who clearly adore her.

Elsie Schweikhardt with care home staff celebrating her decade at St John's, Spalding
Elsie Schweikhardt with care home staff celebrating her decade at St John's, Spalding

Sharon, who has worked as a care assistant at the home for 12 years, said: “Elsie has always been a ray of sunshine.

“I have fond memories of Elsie telling me she worked on the farm with her father with the horses and that’s also where she met her husband and whilst being here and has made an everlasting friendship with Gillian.”

Another person recalls how she used to chat to Elsie when she was out walking her dog and used to walk past her home and Elsie would be out in her garden with her little dog called Ronnie.

Elsie Schweikhardt surrounded by members of staff, who clearly adore her
Elsie Schweikhardt surrounded by members of staff, who clearly adore her

Elsie was born on August 25, 1928, in the village of Bicker where she attended the Junior School and then Donington Grammar.

Her mother and father had a small farm where they raised Elsie and her older sister.

When she left school she worked on the farm, working with the horses which she loved to do.

Elsie Schweikhardt with balloons, bouquet of flowers, pot plant for her room and a certificate to mark the specialoccasion
Elsie Schweikhardt with balloons, bouquet of flowers, pot plant for her room and a certificate to mark the specialoccasion

In Bicker there was a German prisoner of war camp and they would help out the local farmers.

One day Elsie’s tractor wouldn’t work, and Karl Schweikhardt jumped the dyke to help her mend it and sometime after a romance began, leading to Elsie and Karl getting married.

They had three children and then went on to have six grandchildren, five great grandchildren and one great, great, grandchild, she loved cats and dogs and she loved to feed the birds with her homemade Yorkshire pudding.

Elsie always had a pet dog until she became a resident where she now enjoys the company, entertainment, and food.



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