Perry Lutheran Homes’ Carsin Olson poses for a photo with resident John C. Photo Courtesy of Perry Lutheran Homes

A Perry Lutheran Homes staff member has recently been recognized for serving residents and families in the Perry community with compassion and care.

Carsin Olson first came to Perry Lutheran Homes to help fill in for what was then known as the staffing “pool.” It didn’t take long for her to realize she had found something special. 

“I started with the (staffing) pool, which was temporary work and I just loved it here. We lived here in town, so it was just a no-brainer.”

Over the years, Olson has served in a variety of roles, beginning as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She later completed training to become a Certified Medication Aide before stepping into an administrative role. Today, she serves as Medical Records Secretary and Purchasing, supporting the day-to-day operations that help care teams serve residents well.

Olson has built countless relationships with residents and families over the past three decades. She talks about what she has most enjoyed about working at Perry Lutheran Homes and shares one of her favorite memories.

“Oh, the residents and the stories, the memories. My one celebrity story was that I had a resident who used to be the mayor here in Perry. He called me ‘Radar’ because whenever he needed something, I knew before he needed it.” 

As Perry Lutheran Homes celebrates 70 years of service, Olson takes pride in being part of a ministry that continues to grow and evolve while staying true to its Christian mission.

“All the changes in developments and constantly learning and implementing the changes and the intergenerational care and dementia care. It’s fascinating to watch from where we were when I started to where we are now, it’s just an amazing difference and improvement.”

Melissa Gannon, administrator at Perry Lutheran Homes, appreciates Olson’s willingness to help continue to serve the residents.

“For three decades, she’s been the behind the scenes powerhouse, keeping everything organized, accurate and running smoothly. Her dedication, attention to detail and commitment don’t just support our team, they help make great care possible.”

Gannon congratulates Olson on 30 years of service and adds she is grateful for everything she does for Perry Lutheran Homes.