Funk receives lifetime award for contributions in senior care

AwardsElfrieda Funk

AwardsElfrieda Funk

Elfrieda Funk, Hillsboro, received the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award from LeadingAge Kansas as part of its annual Quality First Awards of Excellence Ceremony on April 13 in Wichita.

The award is presented to a LeadingAge Kansas member?s chief executive officer, administrator, employee, trustee or board member. It honors individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of aging services through such things as innovation, dedication, leadership and the effective use of available resources.

Parkside Homes will host a reception honoring Funk from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, in the Oscar Hett Fellowship Center (also known as the large dining room). The public is invited.

Funk has been employed at Parkside Homes Inc. since 1977, either as a full-time employee or consultant.

?Elfrieda has dedicated her life for serving the elderly, and her loyalty and years of service to Parkside Homes Inc. are to be admired and recognized,? according to an organizational release.

?Words to best describe Elfrieda are dedicated, hardworking, conscientious, thoughtful, respected, team player and the list goes on and on. One of her most admired characteristics is Elfrieda?s love for volunteering in her community and to others who are less fortunate.?

Also noted was Funk?s strong Christian faith and church involvement. Funk also has been active for many years in the Lion?s Club, and contributed to the formation of the younger age version known as the Leo?s Club.

?Although she is my mother, she is a hero in my eyes as well as many other people from all walks of life,? said Deb Dona?van.

Debra Zehr, president and CEO of LeadingAge Kansas, said, ?Elfrieda is highly respected by the Parkside family, and by the larger not-for-profit aging services community of Kansas. Through her dedication, skills and knowledge, she has helped raise the bar not only for her own organization, but also for aging services in our state.

?We deeply appreciate her and congratulate her upon receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award.?

LeadingAge Kansas, formerly known as Kansas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, represents 160 not-for-profit long-term care provider organizations throughout the state who exist to serve the unmet needs of elders.

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