Dahl Adult Day, A WesleyLife Adult Day Center

Today marks Rob Kretzinger’s final day as president and CEO of WesleyLife.

After nearly 30 years of leadership, including more than two decades as president and CEO, Rob concludes a tenure defined by vision, service, growth, and a deep belief in what aging can and should be.

Under Rob’s leadership, WesleyLife grew from five retirement communities serving about 1,000 people to Iowa’s largest and most comprehensive nonprofit provider of health and well-being services for older adults, supporting more than 13,000 people each year. But his legacy extends far beyond numbers. Rob challenged us to confront ageism, think differently about health and well-being, protect what matters most, and continue evolving in service to those we support.

As we give thanks for Rob’s leadership, we invite you to read this tribute reflecting on his impact and the future he helped make possible.

Thank you, Rob, for your vision, faith, service, and unwavering commitment to WesleyLife.

Honoring Rob Kretzinger’s Legacy of Service, Vision, and Purpose A tribute to president and CEO Rob Kretzinger on his final day with WesleyLife.

This week is Global Intergenerational Week. Our president and CEO, Rob Kretzinger, writes about why WesleyLife cares about this observance, how it informs our work, and how your efforts to connect with individuals of all ages can help combat societal prejudices toward older (and younger!) people. Please take a moment to read Rob's take on this important topic in the link below.

Global Intergenerational Week: why we care, and why you should, too Intergenerational connections dispel stereotypes around aging. Our CEO discusses why this matters to WesleyLife, and why you should care, too.

Rejoice - He is risen! On behalf of everyone at WesleyLife, we wish you a blessed, hope-filled Easter Sunday. Please enjoy this greeting that our president and CEO, Rob Kretzinger, sent to team members last week.

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Easter offers us something we all need: a quiet invitation to slow down and notice what matters. I don’t know about you, but as spring approaches, I want to be outdoors. On my walks, I notice signs of renewal all around me, and I’m reminded that each day is a new chance to make a difference.

A Scripture verse that comes to mind when I think about this season is from Isaiah 43:19: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” It’s a reminder that growth and possibility are always unfolding, even in moments when they can be easy to miss.

Across WesleyLife, we see growth and possibility lived out every day. They can be present in small acts of kindness, in moments of reassurance, and in the trust placed in us by those we serve. Each interaction carries an invitation to live life with a greater sense of meaning, to lean into hope, and to pursue joy. That is both the privilege of this work and the responsibility we share.

As I prepare to retire in a little less than two months’ time, I’m thinking of my own renewal as I seek God’s plan for my next chapter. The fact that I’m able to prepare a “second act” is a testimony to what we do as a health and well-being organization; in previous generations, retirement was a time of rest. I’m looking forward to a little of that, sure … but mostly, I feel overwhelming gratitude for the health that will allow me to continue to make some kind of impact, and to be present and active with my wife, our children, and our six grandchildren.

I’ll leave you with this: The earlier we work on our health and well-being, the better. Please fill your body with good food, move naturally, connect regularly with those you care about, and partner with your health care provider on ways you can maximize your one precious life.

Whether or not an Easter celebration is a tradition for you, I wish you in the days ahead some time to rest, to spend time with the people who mean something to you, and to reflect on the difference you make. Your presence matters. Your work matters. And the impact you have reaches farther than you may ever know.

On behalf of our leadership team, thank you for all you bring to WesleyLife and to one another.

Join us at Wesley on Grand Adult Day Center for a special afternoon with author Terri Leedom!
On Friday, March 20th, from 2:00 – 3:30 PM, Terri will introduce her new book, Play the Game: A Caregiver’s Journey of Navigating Dementia with Patience, Humor and Love. Drawing from her personal experience caring for her mother with Lewy Body Dementia, Terri offers a heartfelt and hopeful perspective on the caregiving journey.
This is a wonderful opportunity to hear Terri’s story, ask questions, and connect with fellow caregivers and participants.
Books for Sale: $18 per copy
Refreshments: Provided
RSVP: Please contact Hannah at [email protected] by March 16th.
We look forward to seeing you there for an afternoon of inspiration and community!

WesleyLife is pleased to announce its board of directors has named Allison Pendroy the organization's new president and CEO, effective upon the retirement of Rob Kretzinger on June 1, 2026. Learn about Allison and read about WesleyLife's transition plan in the link below.

https://hubs.li/Q040vW5h0

Here is a rundown of December activities:
We had Gale from the West Des Moines Historical Society come to talk to us about Christmas in Victorian Times
We had our weekly therapy dog, Walker visits on Tuesdays
We had the last 3 sessions of Art Calls with Kathy
We had the Bean Bag Baseball world series. Our very own, Matt, won Bean Bag Baseball World Series King! We had a lot of fun playing our very own Wesley on Grand Warriors, we came up just a bit short, but had a lot of fun playing and having a great lunch.
We had our monthly stories with Jim
Dave and Cindy came to sing to us
The Merrill Middle School Choir came to sing
We had our yearly Christmas party! Lots of fun with a musical performance by CW Smith, refreshments, and a special visit from Santa.
Ahman from the Des Moines Fire Department came back for another Fire Talk
Therapy Dog, Otis from the ARL, came back for his monthly visit
The Merrill Middle School Orchestra came to perform their Christmas concert
ACTS Academy came back to sing to us
The Greater Community Band came to perform several Christmas songs
Terri Leedom, came for another author talk about her book, My Silly Granny
Greenwood Elementary 3rd Graders came back for the monthly Read W/ Me program
Warren County Conservation came for a talk about deer
Our very own volunteer, Denise, came with her husband Ned, to do the yearly Christmas sing a long
Pastor Doug came back for devotions and communion
We had Judy come back to bring her collection of feed sacks
We had our monthly outing and went to Ankeny to look at Christmas lights, we stopped to get some hot chocolate as well!
We had a Orchestra Quartet perform and showcase their talent
We made paper plate wreaths for the monthly craft
Polk County Conservation came to talk about the raptors of Iowa
Stan came back for the monthly face sketches
Throughout the month of December, we made space for participants and family to bring donations to the organization, Safe Paws. They help dogs and cats have a safe place to go when they are in danger of being euthanized. Soneeta came to receive the donations and talk to us more about Safe Paws

December was a packed month! We look forward to more engaging activities in January.

"In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register.

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room available for them.

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven.'" - Luke 2:1-14

On behalf of everyone at WesleyLife: Thank you to all who have blessed us with the opportunity to serve you this past year. We wish you a warm, healthy, merry Christmas surrounded by those who bring you joy.

Our CEO's holiday greeting to team members is worth sharing. Take a moment to enjoy it in the link below as you prepare for your celebrations!

https://hubs.li/Q03YZkgS0

Here is a rundown of November activities!

We had Iowa Public Television come to talk about Dogs of Service, specifically The Puppy Jake Foundation. We also met a Puppy Jake named, Royal.
We had our annual Veteran’s day Celebration on November 4th! We had 6 Veteran’s get awarded a Quilt of Valor. There was lots of great food, conversation, and a musical performance from Jack O’Leary, also a Veteran
We started a 5 session series of Art calls with Kathy, a docent from the Des Moines Art Center
Police Officer Garcia came to visit for another police talk. This was her last one before her new job opportunity. We have plans for Officer O’Neill to come in 2026!
We had Larry Wright come to talk about his service in the Army from the Gold Star Museum
We had the Des Moines University Choir come to sing to us
We had two sessions of Read With Me with the Greenwood elementary 3rd graders
We had Pastor Doug come back for a devotional and communion
We had our monthly zoom music therapy about show tunes
We had Rescue, Rehab, Rehome come bring puppies to cuddle and hold
We had Griff II, The Drake University Bulldog,
come for a visit
Jim Boardman was back for more stories
We had Gale, from the Historical Society come back for a toys and games in Victorian times presentation
We had our monthly outing to the Gold Star Museum with our veterans. We had a chance to look through the museum and have lunch there.
Polk County Conservation came back for a great presentation on archaeology
The Des Moines University ensemble came to play for our participants
We had the ARL come visit, along with weekly visits from Walker, a therapy dog on Tuesdays, and started monthly visits from therapy dog, Otis
Stan came back for more sketches

This month was packed full of fun and engaging activities! We are excited to see what December brings!

Santa spent Tuesday volunteering at a few special places around the Des Moines area. He started at ChildServe in Johnston, visiting so many wonderful children and adults. Then he headed to Windsor Manor in Indianola to see some true believers, and finished the day at Wesley on Grand in Des Moines, sharing stories and making spirits bright. Volunteering is something Santa and Mrs Claus hold close to their hearts because giving back to the community is what keeps the season magical. They have two more volunteer days coming up next week and cannot wait to see all the believers. ❤️