'Make their last days the best that you can'

Debra Horinek is pretty matter-of-fact about her career and the honor she recently received.

The honor - awarded earlier this spring - was the Montana Health Care Association's Nurse of the Year.

The association is a coalition of long-term health-care facilities.

The staff of Immanuel Lutheran Home nominated Horinek, 55, because of her 32 years with the nursing home and because of how she always establishes an easy rapport with the residents.

Horinek loves mingling with the elderly, sharing stories and learning about their lives - which is why she stayed at Immanuel Lutheran for 32 years.

"I just clicked with them," she said.

Providing simple things such as companionship, comfort, medicine and books is important to Horinek.

"You try to make their last days the best that you can. Sometimes, it takes a little effort to do that," she said.

Horinek stumbled into nursing.

For no real reason, she tagged along with some friends when they signed up for nursing school at a vocational-technical college in Helena. There, she became a licensed practical nurse.

She and her husband, Ken, moved to Kalispell, and Horinek began working at Colonial Manor.

A better-paying job opened at Immanuel Lutheran, and Horinek found her home away from home.

Eventually, she became the nursing supervisor. But about four years ago, the mother of two and grandmother of seven wanted to get more in touch again with the residents, and asked to become a nurse again.

Originally, Horinek planned to retire at 55.

But now that this benchmark has arrived, she's thinking about putting off retirement for a few more years.

Reporter John Stang may be reached at 758-4429 or by e-mail at jstang@dailyinterlake.com