Interview

I met for coffee with Gretchen Knipfel, Regional Manager of Marketing and Sales at Our House Senior Living. Our House provides assisted care, memory care and senior apartments in a residential setting where residents are able to maintain relationships and stay active in their community. Our House has been a primary living resource in Wisconsin and Minnesota for over 15 years. Gretchen’s territory provides care for 165 residents. She has been employed for the company for over 3 years.

Compassionate, determined, well spoken and assertive are words that best describe Gretchen. Gretchen is 53 years old, a mother of 2 daughters, belongs to the local Curling Club, is an avid golfer and enjoys sailing. She graduated from UW Stout with a Bachelor’s Degree in Retail Marketing.

Her education has given her opportunities in varied careers. Her first job out of college was an Assistant Buyer in retail in Minneapolis. As the market began to fluctuate retail was not at the premium. She then chose a different career path in real estate. Real estate became very lucrative so she moved back to Wisconsin to continue a career in Land Development Sales for recreation and retirement. About 4 years later she landed a job as the Executive Director in community development for the City of Ripon Chamber of Commerce.

Shortly after her employment with the City of Ripon she was married and later had two daughters. She began working in Real Estate and Banking in rural Wisconsin for several as her schedule was more flexible and less demanding.

Her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and eventually became a patient at a local assisted living facility and was later admitted to a CBRF with Hospice care facility. Within 30 days of admission Elaine had passed away.

Life experience took Gretchen to a new found passion to educate families about the options for their loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Previous experience in marketing and sales tethered her...