• Independent Living
• Virtual Tour
• Assisted Living
• Health Care
• Alzheimer’s/Memory Loss Support
• Contact Us
• Capital Campaign

Presbyterian Manor of Newton Kicks Off Capital Campaign With Announcement of Three Gifts Totaling $500,000

Ted Ice , Newton Advisory Committee and PMMA Board of Trustees member, and Ermal McFarland share a moment before the program.

Today, officials of the Presbyterian Manor of Newton announced the launch of a capital campaign, raising funds to revitalize its Health Care Center with a goal of creating a true home-like setting for its residents who require active medical services. To meet this challenge, the Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Board of Directors and the Presbyterian Manor of Newton Advisory Committee have approved the $1.2 million Shaping Tomorrow project — $700,000 of which is to be raised by the Newton Manor. Three initial gifts from long-time supporters of Presbyterian Manor have been pledged to date, totaling $500,000.

More than a half century ago, Newton became home to the first Presbyterian Manor, and the Manor has been at the forefront of active retirement living for Kansans ever since. The goal of the Shaping Tomorrow project is to shift from staff-directed to resident-focused care and to provide a more complete sense of home to residents.

The revitalized McFarland Health Center will be named in honor of a $300,000 gift from Ermal McFarland. When Dr. Ray McFarland and his wife Ermal moved to Presbyterian Manor of Newton in the late ’70s, they knew they had found the ideal home to enjoy their retirement years. They became among the Manor’s staunchest supporters, and that support continues today. Although Dr. McFarland passed away a decade ago, Mrs. McFarland remains active in Manor life and in the community at 100 years of age. It is in that spirit that she has chosen to lay the financial foundation for the Health Care Center project.

	Shawn Sullivan, executive director, describes details of the proposed McFarland Health Center.

In addition, the east wing of the Center will be named Claassen House in honor of Cornelius and Addie Claassen. The three Claassen brothers: Lander of Mount Dora, Fla., Maurice of Great Bend, Kan., and Walter of Newton, Kan., are underwriting part of this new development in memory of their parents.

Cornelius Claassen was one of the original members of the board of directors that founded the Presbyterian Manor. For many years, he was the treasurer and financial advisor of the Reverend George Nelson. Dr. Nelson conceived and fostered the idea of caring for the elderly, and who brought the idea to reality under sponsorship of the First Presbyterian Church of Newton where he was pastor for many years. In his memoirs, Dr. Nelson wrote, “There is nothing [I] can say to adequately express [my] appreciation for Mr. Claassen. We have been closely associated over the years in all phases of the financial development of the Foundation and Newton Presbyterian Manor. The annuity system, which is a part of the Foundation finances, is directly the development of Mr. Claassen.”

[1] 2 3 Next Page>

Health Center Specifics | Ermal McFarland | Utz Sisters | Claasen Family | Midland Bank

About Us | Communities | Giving | Site Map

Recent News

Newton welcomes new executive director

Richard “Rich” Heim has been named executive director of Presbyterian Manor – Newton, effective Oct. 6. Heim comes to PMMA from Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton where he has served for almost 10 years as president and CEO. Read More...

Virtual Tours See what our different communities have to offer.