REACH Short Stay: Where Webster Groves
Goes for Rehabilitation Care

As the Executive Director for Laclede Groves, Valerie Cooper has more than 13 years of experience in the field of senior health care and living. She joined Lutheran Senior Services in 2002. She has a bachelor’s degree in human environmental studies from Southeast Missouri State University and a master’s degree in gerontology from Webster University. She lives in Crestwood, Missouri with her husband Andrew Meier and two sons.

As the Administrator of Independent Living at Laclede Groves, Roxanne Hinkle has over 25 years’ experience in senior care. Roxanne joined Lutheran Senior Services in 2005. A Certified Aging Services Professional, she has a bachelor’s degree in social work and psychology from Southeast Missouri State University.

As the Administrator of Lutheran Convalescent Home, Julie Collins has seven years of experience in senior care. She has a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy from the University of Missouri, a graduate certificate in mission leadership from the Aquinas Institute, two master’s degrees (in public relations and business administration) from Webster University, and accreditation as a Certified Aging Services Professional (CASP). She lives in Overland, Missouri.

As the Administrator of Laclede Commons Angie Wilson has nearly 20 years experience with seniors. A member of the Laclede Groves team since 2006, Angie received her nursing education from Washington School of Nursing in Washington, MO. She lives in St. Clair, MO.

Tom Zaretzky joined Lutheran Senior Services in 2006. As a Senior Living Counselor for Laclede Groves, he enjoys helping seniors to discover the many worry-free living options available at our 64-acre community in Webster Groves. As a continuing care community, Laclede Groves offers a full continuum of services, from gracious patio homes and spacious apartment homes to residential care to skilled nursing. Give Tom a call to schedule a personal visit. Currently, Tom lives in South County with his wife Leigh Ann, two sons Benjamin and Jacob, Nora the Pug, and Ginger the Cat.

Laclede Groves' Health Services Counselor Jennifer Ronzio has been with Lutheran Senior Services since 2005, when she joined LSS' Outreach Social Services program. A south St. Louis county native with a passion for serving older adults, Jennifer graduated from Mizzou with a bachelor's degree in sociology. She loves being a mom to her two kids.

Tina Valentine is an adult nurse practitioner with over 25 years’ experience in health care with the most recent 10 years of experience in the nurse practitioner role. She has clinical experience in various settings including health clinics, hospitals, hospice, and geriatric care communities. She graduated in 2000 from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with dual certification as an adult and family nurse practitioner. While attending SIUE, she also completed her certification in gerontology and was the recipient of the Vernice Williams Excellence in Gerontology Award. She has enjoyed working in the academic field with students and has been a public speaker on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. Tina resides in Columbia, Illinois, with her husband Ken and two sons.

Carole Gibbar
Manager of Dining Services
ph 314.446.2378

Manager of Dining Services at Laclede Oaks, Carole Gibbar has been employed with Lutheran Senior Services since March of 2002. Previous to this position, Carole’s expertise was in the restaurant business, including private clubs, learning all aspects of the “back of the house,” in addition to outside catering events. Managing menus and inventing new food interests was the impetus for an ever expanding culinary base. St. Louis Community College at Forest Park and CIA in Napa Valley, California were the two schools of knowledge that lead her to this career.

Laclede Groves Chaplain Rev. Darryl Anderson graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois. Formerly a special education teacher, Rev. Anderson has completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education. He has experience in ministering to the mentally handicapped and spent several years in Minnesota. He has been with Lutheran Senior Services for more than a decade.

With degrees in finance, human resources, and communications, Nichole Nichols began her executive career in New Orleans, where she opened a satellite office for Basic, Inc. A highlight of her tenure at Basic was the acquisition of a $2.5 million grant to expand her office’s program. In 2007, she was hired as the generalist of human resources for Laclede Groves; six months later she was named the director of her department. Today, she is a member of Lutheran Senior Services’ Emerging Leadership Program for outstanding future executives.