Living a full life means exploring one’s interests and abilities to find purpose and fulfillment. For Gerald Guenzler, that means creating works of art to beautify his home at Hilltop Manor Senior Living, a Lutheran Senior Services (LSS) community.
The walls throughout Hilltop Manor, from team members’ offices to community spaces to the front lobby, all are graced by his works – puzzles painstakingly assembled and then hardened, double-matted, and framed. Over the years, he has put together more than 65 puzzles, had them framed and then donated to Hilltop Manor.
Gerald moved into Hilltop Manor in 2009. A stroke made him unable to use the right side of his body, so he uses his left hand to put together puzzles. The puzzles range from 500 to more than 1500 pieces.
“The hallways are now filled with these beautiful pieces of artwork,” said Nikki Jennings, Executive Director, LSS Affordable Housing. “I think it’s really neat that this gentleman is living his life to the fullest and leaving a lasting impact on this community.”
Gerald is a star at Hilltop Manor. “I have a framed newspaper article written about him from a few years ago hanging on the wall,” said Renee Green, Community Manager of Hilltop Manor. She personally has one of Gerald’s works on her office wall.
One of Gerald’s favorite puzzle art pieces is an aquatic scene with multi-colored fish frolicking in blue seawater. It adorns the Lobby wall in Gerald’s community, for all to enjoy.