Pennsylvania Place — Our Staff

In addition to a continuing care lifestyle with all the comforts of home, Pennsylvania Place assures that a trained, professional staff will always be close by to provide assistance. Our on-site staff include activities and health care personnel, in addition to housekeeping, dietary, maintenance and administrative staff devoted to assisting you with your needs.

You’ll find our caring staff is generous with smiles, and always available to help make your move and lifestyle as easy as possible.



Brenda Hostetler, President Ask Brenda Hostetler what she likes best about her job and you will instantly learn it’s the residents. “I love our residents,” says Brenda. “They are vibrant, outgoing people who I can barely keep up with. I know our residents are happy living here. This makes my job worthwhile.” A native of the area, Brenda brings enthusiasm and expertise to her role as a result of more than 18 years in the medical field, most of which was obtained while at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.		Click here to email Brenda Hostetler



Brenda Miller, Marketing Director Born and raised in Ottumwa, Brenda Miller couldn’t be happier to have found a career in the town she loves. “I was so pleased when Pennsylvania Place opened,” says Brenda. “It’s something this area has needed for a long time.” Brenda enjoys helping people plan for their future and seeing them enjoy the resulting peace of mind. Brenda’s past experience made her a great choice for her role. She worked in retirement planning and investments for nearly 14 years before coming to Pennsylvania Place in early 2000.		Click here to email Brenda Miller



Becky Butler, RN, BSN , Assisted Living Coordinator Becky first joined Pennsylvania Place/Sylvan Woods in 1997 as Assisted Living Coordinator, a position that she held until 2003. At that time, Becky and her family moved away for a short while, but returned in 2005 to live near family and friends again. Becky received her RN degree in 1996 and her BSN degree in 2005. She is a certified Assisted Living Administrator and Certified Dementia Practioner. Becky and her children live in Ottumwa. “Gerontology is my passion and I feel blessed to care for the residents within our Sylvan Woods Assisted Living Community and The Haven Assisted Living Memory Care Community.”		Click here to email Becky Butler



Laura Kurimski , Business Office Manager Laura is a native of Monroe County and is a graduate of William Penn University with a degree in Accounting. Before joining Pennsylvania Place, Laura worked in the Accounting Department at Ottumwa Regional Health Center for five years. “My favorite part of the job is getting to know the residents and their families.”		Click here to email Laura Kurimski



Jeannine L. Neary, Resident Services Director “I am a Nebraska native. My husband is an attorney in Ottumwa, and we have three children. I began my career with Pennsylvania Place in November of 1995 as an Administrative Assistant/Receptionist. In December of 1995, Pennsylvania Place became home to its first residents, followed by Sylvan Woods in June of 1996. I became Residents Services Director for Pennsylvania Place and Sylvan Woods in June of 1998, and I continue to enjoy each new and exciting day in the community.”		Click here to email Jeannine L. Neary



Donna VanMiddlesworth, Housekeeping Supervisor “Prior to my position as Housekeeping Supervisor here at Pennsylvania Place, I managed a cafeteria in a large plant with about twenty staff members. I also was the head cook and food service supervisor in a nursing home for thirteen years.” “Here at Pennsylvania Place, I have a great staff to work with, and the residents are very appreciative of what we do for them. My job here has been very challenging and rewarding.”		Click here to email Donna VanMiddlesworth



Donna M. Guiter, Administrative Assistant “Having graduated from Indian Hills Community College in Administrative Services, Pennsylvania Place seemed the right career choice for me. I came to Pennsylvania Place in March of 1999, and work as the Administrative Assistant. I was born and raised in Ottumwa, and have four children and six grandchildren. I enjoy gardening, sports, and talking to our residents about our mutual interests.”		Click here to email Donna M. Guiter



Lea Ann Mercer, Executive Assistant Lea Ann is a native of Ottumwa who moved south for 18 years and returned to her hometown almost three years ago. Although Lea Ann is a newcomer to Pennsylvania Place, she brings with her a wealth of administrative and customer service experience. Lea Ann, her husband and son are happy to be back in Ottumwa closer to family. Lea Ann’s son also enjoys working at Pennsylvania Place in Dietary Services.		Click here to email Lea Ann Mercer



Mike Kopp, Food Services Director With over 30 years of culinary experience, Mike began his career with Pennsylvania Place six years ago. A college graduate with a degree in Culinary Arts & Food Management, he enjoys working with the residents and the new ideas and recipes they give him. Mike takes pride in training his staff to create different and exciting meals. "Nearly all of our soups and desserts are homemade and possibly a creation all our own." One of his true passions is making chocolate delicacies. Mike is the father of three and recently became a new grandfather.		Click here to email Mike Kopp



Bob Ullrick, Sylvan Woods Marketing Director Having retired with 30+ years in the Financial Services industry, opportunity knocked again for this native Ottumwan. "The experience of my prior career was a foundation for pursuing my new capacity. My greatest enjoyment was the one on one relationship with my clients and their families. Being Marketing Director of Sylvan Woods Assisted Living has once again, put me in the position of helping families".		Click here to email Bob Ullrick



Regional Retirement Living, Inc. Regional Retirement Living, Inc., which is affiliated with Ottumwa Regional Health Center and Ottumwa Regional Health Foundation, is the foundation of Pennsylvania Place. Under the supervision of the Board of Directors, Pennsylvania Place is committed to a mission of quality, dignity and independence for all residents.

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1 Pennsylvania Place
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
Toll-Free (800) 332-5351, (641) 684-4000