South Dakota Ag Connection - Celebrating Older Americans Month at Linden Village

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Celebrating Older Americans Month at Linden Village
South Dakota Ag Connection - 05/25/2017

In honor of "Older Americans Month", Leonard Ratzlaff was recognized Wednesday at Linden Village in Milford, Neb., by USDA Rural Development and the Milford Housing Authority for his contributions that make Linden Village a great place to live. The submission for the award was provided by the management company with USDA concurrence.

Ratzlaff is 87 years old and has resided in Linden Village for the last nine years with his wife. Leonard has lived in Germany, Pennsylvania and New Mexico. He was born and raised in South Dakota and farmed there for 32 years.

As time passed by, Leonard and his wife decided to escape the harsh South Dakota winters by traveling south for the winter. Nebraska was a good state to pass through on their journey and sometimes they stopped to visit family and friends as they traveled through eastern Nebraska.

When the time came to settle permanently, they chose Milford, Neb., to call home. Leonard served on the Milford Housing Authority Board as the tenant representative for six years helping to make many important decisions. He continues to help with minor repairs and yardwork at the complex. He always has a kind word for the residents and is supportive and encouraging to the new site manager.

Leonard participated in the USDA Rural Board Training video in 2015.

Linden Village I & II offer 48 units of elderly living. Milford Housing Authority owns and manages the complex. They do an outstanding job in keeping Linden Village a safe and viable place for elderly residents to reside. There are currently 188 apartment complexes funded by USDA Rural Development in Nebraska. Of those complexes, 55 of them hold an elderly designation, where only disabled individuals or individuals 62 years of age or older are eligible tenants. Across the state, there are 1,113 units that are being occupied by elders who are "Aging Out Loud".

Today older Americans are working longer, trying new things, and engaging in their communities in different ways. What it means to age has changed. This year's theme for Older Americans Month is "Age Out Loud" to celebrate the contributions the older Americans are performing to make life even better.

For more information contact Sharon Kluck at (402) 437-5035 or Sharon.kluck@ne.usda.gov.

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