For Joanne Bodien, Cedar Community has been part of her life for more than four decades.
She first came to Cedar in 1984 as a physical therapist, eventually helping grow rehabilitation services and serving in healthcare leadership. Years later, she experienced those same rehabilitation services as a patient herself.
And in June 2025, Joanne’s connection to Cedar came full circle when she moved into an independent living plus apartment.
For Joanne, it felt like coming home.
A Career Dedicated to Helping Others
Joanne grew up on the south side of Milwaukee with her younger brother, Jim. She attended Manitoba Grade School and Pulaski High School, where she participated in water ballet and served as president of the group. She also took piano and voice lessons.
During her first week of high school, Joanne met Jack, who would eventually become her husband and best friend.
When Jack was drafted into the U.S. Army and received orders for Vietnam, the couple arranged a quick wedding during a one-week leave in March 1968.
While Jack was stationed at Chu Lai, Joanne continued studying physical therapy at Marquette University. Their only communication was through letters, which they wrote to each other nearly every day.
After Jack returned, both continued their education. Joanne began her career in the rehabilitation unit at Milwaukee County General Hospital, while Jack pursued a master’s degree in human services.
Joanne later worked at the Dunn County skilled nursing facility, where she discovered a particular passion for working with older adults with disabilities.
Joining Cedar Community
After returning to southeastern Wisconsin and continuing her education, Joanne earned a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Then, a part-time physical therapy opportunity opened at Cedar Lake Home, now part of Cedar Community.
Joanne was hired on April 1, 1984.
At the time, Cedar Lake Home included Friendship House, now The Aspen at Cedar Lake, as well as a large nursing home that is now Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Joanne remembers Cedar Community founder Rev. Riesch as a strong supporter of rehabilitation services and someone who deeply valued the wooded property surrounding Big Cedar Lake.
As Cedar Community grew, so did its rehabilitation services.
Helping Rehabilitation Services Grow
In 1990, Joanne became administrator of Cedar Haven Rehabilitation Agency.
Under her leadership, the program expanded its team and therapy services. Cedar Haven provided occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and orthopedic rehabilitation.
Over time, additional clinics were established in Horicon and Grafton, and therapy programs expanded into school systems across five counties.
As healthcare needs and regulations changed, Cedar Haven eventually transitioned away from pediatric therapy and focused exclusively on adult rehabilitation.
Cedar Community also expanded rehabilitation beds and developed additional therapy and education programs.
In 2000, Joanne moved into an administrative role within the healthcare center, overseeing healthcare and clinical services.
Experiencing Cedar’s Rehabilitation Services Herself
Joanne’s connection to Cedar Community eventually became personal in a different way.
Significant arthritis led to multiple orthopedic surgeries, and over the years she came to Cedar Community’s rehabilitation center more than six times for recovery.
Eventually, Joanne returned to work using a wheelchair.
Her home in Erin was no longer adaptable to her physical needs, so she and Jack moved to a three-bedroom ranch near Hartford in the Pike Lake area.
Finding Purpose Through Loss
Joanne and Jack enjoyed traveling together and with their family, including trips to Florida, Italy, and across Canada by rail.
Their life changed suddenly in 2009 when Jack passed away after 41 years of marriage, just one month before his planned retirement.
Joanne remembers the experience with the words: “The greater the love, the greater the grief.”
Her faith brought comfort, but returning to Cedar Community also gave her a sense of purpose.
Joanne found support in the people she had worked alongside for so many years and describes her Cedar colleagues as her work family.
In 2014, complications from a knee replacement resulted in the amputation of her left leg.
Joanne returned to Cedar Community part time for one final year before retiring on April 1, 2015.
Coming Full Circle at Cedar Community
After retirement, Joanne remained in her home with Charlie, her rescued West Highland white terrier and longtime companion.
But Joanne and Jack had always talked about eventually retiring at Cedar Community.
In June 2025, Joanne made that plan a reality when she moved into an independent living plus apartment.
After 34 years working at Cedar Community, Joanne was now experiencing the community from an entirely new perspective.
She praises the caring team members and the many new friendships she has formed since moving in.
Joanne says living at Cedar Community feels like coming home.
She spent much of her career helping build and support the community. Years later, Cedar supported her through rehabilitation and some of life’s most difficult transitions.
Now, it is simply home.Originally published in the Winter 2026 issue of Live More magazine.
