Dwayne Strandlie, Lori Turk, Carolyn Schultz, and Roger Strandlie
Stoughton Memory Café, which began in May 2017, has become an invaluable resource for families in the Stoughton community and beyond. Memory Cafés provide a supportive and engaging environment for individuals with memory loss and their care partners to share conversation, laughter, and engage in activities. For Leona Ehle and her family, the experience highlights the everlasting impact this program has on both participants and their loved ones.
Leona’s children, Carolyn Schultz, Dwayne Strandlie, Lori Turk, and Roger Strandlie, have fond memories of attending Memory Café with their mother. Over their two years of regular attendance, Memory Café became more than just a regular outing—it became a happy place that brought joy, connection, and a sense of normalcy to their lives while navigating the challenges of memory loss.
Carolyn shares that seeing their mother’s excitement during each Memory Café meeting was one of the most rewarding aspects of attending. “That was my biggest joy, to see the glow in her eyes,” Carolyn says. “The gleaming just kind of brought up the child in her.” Their mother was a regular participant of Memory Café, attending monthly meetings for over two years. “She would never say, ‘Oh, I just don’t feel like going today.’ She was always eager,” Carolyn shares.
Memory Café is an enriching experience for both individuals with memory loss and their caregivers. Families are encouraged to join in with activities, whether it be crafting birdhouses or playing bingo. “We could all do a project,” Carolyn explains. “We could all participate in whatever it was they were doing, so I felt very included.” Her sister, Lori, highlights, “That’s why I think it’s important that family goes, because it’s good for us too.”
Memory Café offers more than just activities and craft projects—it also provides a place for individuals to connect. Lori remembers how their mother always loved people, and how Memory Café offered an outlet to connect with others, joke around, and enjoy a variety of activities in a supportive environment. “It was very bonding,” adds her brother, Dwayne. “The people there all talked amongst each other and all kind of got to know each other, so it got to be a little family group.”
The siblings reflected on how Memory Café mirrored the sense of community from their childhood. “It’s back to growing up in the ‘60s and ‘70s,” Dwayne shares, “and the days of having people over for coffee, so it’s kind of a continuation of that whole tradition.” Carolyn even jokes, “When we were younger, the street we lived on was nicknamed ‘Coffee Street’ because they all got together at somebody else’s house.” To the siblings, the atmosphere of Memory Café brought them and their mother back to this simpler time of neighborly connection.
Having a Memory Café accessible in the Stoughton community was a blessing for the family. Its convenient location made it easier for the siblings to attend regularly. “It gives the senior citizens something to look forward to, or something to do,” Roger notes. Lori agrees, adding, “It’s nice when you have one in your hometown, close by.”
Dwayne and his mom with First Lady Kathy Evers
Memory Café also offers opportunities for outings beyond the Stoughton community. Dwayne recalls a special outing that stands out in his memory: a trip to the Governor’s Mansion in November 2019. “They got to make ornaments, decorate the Alzheimer’s Tree, and even meet the governor’s wife,” Dwayne remembers. Lori notes, “The picture with her and Dwayne and the wreath she made, the smile just says it all.”
Roger and his wife Donna were so moved by their experience that they began volunteering at Memory Café. For them, giving back to Memory Café is a way to help others experience the joy and support they witnessed in their own family. Roger highlights the calm and comforting atmosphere that Memory Café provides for participants, sharing, “It’s very relaxing.” Roger also highlights his wife’s role in baking treats for the participants, noting how Donna goes above and beyond to ask, “Who’s going to be here next month, so I know what to bring?” Contributions like this from volunteers and staff demonstrate another way Memory Café works to amplify the small joys in life.
For families who may be hesitant to attend, the siblings offer some advice. “Just try it and see the excitement,” Carolyn says. “You can hear the excitement in the person’s voice.” Whether it’s a craft project, bingo game, or outing in the community, Memory Café offers a place for families to rejoice. “It’s a great time. It’s quality time,” Lori adds. “Whether it’s a mom, dad, grandparent, or anyone that you’re there with, you get to spend that fun, nice time with them.”
The Stoughton Memory Café meets the 1st Tuesday of the month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Bryant Health Education Center at the Stoughton Hospital and is free and open to everyone. For more information, please contact Alayna Hoch at 608-873-2259. Registration is helpful but not required. Stoughton Health is proud to be a part of the Stoughton Dementia Friendly Coalition, which works to meet the unique needs of people in the Stoughton community with dementia.
