On March 8, 1960, Joe and Georgana Linneman were preparing to open their 26-room senior living facility, Mari de Villa. The first guest was set to arrive the next morning, but there was a major snowstorm. A plow offered to clear the drive for $12, but Joe didn’t have the cash on hand. The next day, he walked through the snow to meet the ambulance on Clayton Road and carried the new resident to the front doors himself. This year, Mari de Villa is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and while it has grown exponentially from those humble beginnings, that personal dedication to providing guests the best care endures.
Located on a 23-acre campus in Town and Country, the community offers a continuum of care, from extremely independent and active to 24-hour nursing assistance, including memory care. Its skilled nursing team provides attention to all residents, and the full therapy department offers physical, occupational, speech and rehabilitation services. Mari de Villa also offers a wide range of activities to keep seniors active and engaged, such as live music, book clubs, wellness classes, indoor water aerobics and weekly excursions to restaurants, museums and local performances. “We have beautiful grounds and walking paths for our guests and their families to enjoy,” president Fred Wiesehan adds.
Throughout this year, residents can look forward to special celebrations to mark the community’s anniversary, and Mari de Villa also sponsors and hosts events for the Town and Country community, including holiday parades and an annual Christmas tree lighting held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. “Our events are attended by hundreds of people,” Wiesehan says. “We’re lucky to have the support of such a wonderful community.”
Even with six decades of experience, Mari de Villa has not finished expanding. Later this year, construction will begin on East Lake, a new addition offering private assisted living apartments. Guests will get to enjoy amenities like housekeeping and several dining options, including room service. “We’re very excited to continue to grow,” Wiesehan says. “But even with new buildings, our main focus remains the same. The bottom line always will be providing care to the guests who call the community home.”
Mari de Villa truly is a family business. Wiesehan and his wife, Mary Kay, have been with the senior living community for 36 years. They still are involved in the day-to-day operations, and their sons, Fritz and Joe, work alongside them as administrators. “We are very hands-on and family-oriented,” Wiesehan says. “We are not part of a national chain or group of senior living communities.”
The fact that Mari de Villa is a single location allows Wiesehan, his family and staff to devote their full attention to the property and its residents. “We aren’t dividing ourselves between any other locations,” he explains. “We are focused on providing the best level of care here.” Like Wiesehan and his family, many administrators and staff members have been part of the community for decades. “The people who work here truly love Mari de Villa and our guests,” he says. “It creates a welcoming, family atmosphere for everyone.”
Located in Town and Country on a more than 20-acre campus, Mari de Villa has been serving the seniors of St. Louis for 60 years. It offers a continuum of care, starting with independent living and evolving as clients’ needs change. For more information, call 636.227.5347 or visit maridevilla.com.
Cover design by Cydney Moore
Cover photo courtesy of Mari de Villa
Pictured at top: Fritz, Mary Kay, Fred and Joe Wiesehan
Photo: Bill Barrett