The Courage Cottage is a valuable asset to our community and was a blessing for my mother, Muriel Holslin when she was no longer able to be at home. They provided her comfort at all levels and gave a sense of peace to our family, so when we would go home, we knew she was in good, caring hands.

She was given compassionate care and immediate attention when asked. If they didn't know the answer, a call was placed and a response was worked upon in a timely manner.

I have also been an employee at the Courage Cottage and can attest to the diligence that their employees display and the level of energy put forth into the care given to residents, and the top-notch communication with their families. I am very fortunate to have had a family member reside there and to have everything the Courage Cottage has to offer, also having been an employee to work alongside highly capable staff as well.  

~Beth Hottovy

Our family was so blessed to have the Courage Cottage host our mom, Connie Johnson as she journeyed through hospice in the last few months of her life on earth. There is no other place we would have chosen for her. The smaller setting, the care staff-- everything about the Courage Cottage was loving and caring and beyond our expectations. If mom couldn't be at home, Courage Cottage was the next best place to be.

We are grateful she wa sa resident with the Courage Cottage. Special thanks to the caring staff who took care of her. We love and miss her, but we are comforted knowing she was at the Courage Cottage.

~Kim Oachs

Thank you Courage Cottage for the care you have given my mother. We love the Courage Cottage! The staff is excellent and so kind. My mom feels like part of the family and really has blossomed in your care.

~Tamela Sperr

I am grateful I got to be a part of the Courage Cottage when I worked there as a nursing assistant for four years. I learned so much in caring for those that needed help with their daily tasks and activities. Even though it was frustrating for them to give up the independence they had always knows making sure that resident was comfortable during their last days and moments was very special to me.

I have many happy memories of the residents we cared for— they became like family to us! I believe the Cottages small home-like setting is a definite advantage and allows for greater one-on-one care and compassion fo you loved one. I also enjoyed getting to pass meds, and credit my time at the Courage Cottage for helping me build a foundation of caregiving skills and knowledge.

~Chelynne (Becker) Saul (former Courage Cottage employee)

When Elaine’s name came up from the list we put her on at Courage Cottage, my good friend said “do it, you won’t be sorry”. Elaine was there a little over 2 years and we were not sorry at all.

The staff at Courage Cottage were extremely knowledgeable and so very kind. They listened to her and assisted her as needed.  Elaine was given such wonderful attention. The staff assisted Elaine in daily care and a multitude of activities from baking to dressing for holidays and nerf wars to just name a few.

Elaine always loved her birthdays and all the attention she was given for growing a year older. She reviled in it  Did she have her favorite staff, absolutely she did, but even the staff who weren’t her favorites treated her with extra care. We saw it everyday.

If you want superior living situation for your loved ones, get their name on the list at Courage Cottage and when their name comes up please consider using this wonderful assisted living arrangement they provide. You will not be sorry you did.

~Judy Loehr

The Courage Cottage is a wonderful place. My mom was there for two months. They were all so caring.

~ViAnn Solvie

The house on the corner, Courage Cottage, has been one of the great comforts to me. My father passed away in September of 2007, mother in November of 2013, and my sister-cousin passed away in May of 2026 all at the Courage Cottage. It gave me great comfort knowing that all three of these very important people in my life received the very best of care. My mom wanted so desperately to go home but was unable to care for herself, but knew that she had it nice at the Courage Cottage.

I have seen staff go above and beyond when it comes to taking care of their residents. Providing their favorite flowers, a special meal, coloring their hair (even if it looked orange!), polishing their nails, and reading to them,and at times, just holding their hand. Compassion is the word I would use to describe the staff. They certainly care for all of them, even when some of them can be a challenge at times. They just smile and take it all in stride.

Watching a loved one slowly pass away is not easy. But knowing that person is being taken care of with compassion makes the journey so much easier for the family. 

We are blessed to have the Courage Cottage in Stevens County.

~Vicki Dosdall

How do you say enough good things about an organization that brings comfort, compassion, and dignity to people during what may be the most difficult time of their lives?

Our family will always be grateful to SCMC Courage Cottage for the exceptional care they provided to my sister-in-law during her very short stay. From the moment she arrived, every member of the staff treated her—and all of us—with kindness, respect, and genuine compassion.
Although, she was there for only a few days, it was remarkable how quickly the staff came to know her as a person, not just a patient. They were always attentive to her needs and seemed to instinctively understand what she needed in each moment.

One of the things that stood out most was the way the staff cared for everyone in the home. They brought laughter, conversation, and lighthearted moments to the residents who were living there, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. At the same time, they had an incredible ability to shift seamlessly, offering quiet comfort, peace, and gentle presence to those who were nearing the end of life. That balance is a rare gift, and they carried it with such grace and compassion.

SCMC Courage Cottage is truly a remarkable place. They don't just provide hospice care—they create a home where every resident is seen, valued, and cared for in the way they need most. We will never forget the kindness shown to our family during such a difficult time, and we are deeply thankful for everyone who made my sister-in-law's final days so meaningful.

~Lisa Denzer

The Courage Cottage is a place of tender care and love to each of their residents —whether it be for a short stay or for a longer time. They provide one-on-one care and time spent for all individual needs. Residents get to be like family.

~Marcia DeNeui (former Courage Cottage employee)

My mom was a resident of the Courage Cottage for three months. After mom had a health crisis on top of other health issues, a very hard decision was made to move her to the Cottage. Within just a couple days, however we could see it was the best decision for mom and our family. Dena explained everything we needed to know and answered all of our questions. Everyone who cared for mom did so in  loving, caring manner and treated her with dignity, kindness, and gentleness. Each one was also so welcoming and thoughtful to my dad, myself and our family. We were consulted about mom's care and any decisions that needed to be made, but the load was off from us.

The Courage Cottage staff was so accommodating to our family in having a birthday party for mom, getting her ready for picutures for a family wedding, and with our daily visits. I could not have been more pleased with the care mom recieved at the Cottage.

I would highly recommend anyone who is neeing a place for their loved one to check it out. 

~Wendy Zierke

We are so grateful for the wonderful care our mom received at the Courage Cottage. She was there for five months and the moment that she arrived, the staff treated her with compassion, kindness and respect. They truly went above and beyond to make sure that she was comfortable, safe, and well cared for.

What meant the most to our family is knowing that our mom was not just a resident but that she was genuinely cared about. The staff took time to get to know her, listened to her needs, and made her feel comfortable and valued.

Their dedication and personal attention truly gave our family a peace of mind during a difficult time.

We also appreciated the support that our family and friends received. It was comforting knowing that we could trust the staff caring for our mom and always had her best interests at heart. Mom enjoyed getting to know the staff and their families, the laughs and stories they shared and just being in a loving facility.

We cannot say enough good things about the Courage Cottage and the amazing people who work there. We feel incredibly blessed that our mom was in such a caring, compassionate, and welcoming environment. We thank you for everything you do each and every day!

~Kristi Hoodie

When our mom, Jo Schneider suffered a fall in her house at the age of 100, we knew that she could no longer remain there. We were blessed to find a new home for her at the Courage Cottage. 

The staff treated her as if she were their mom, helping her to stay active and even asking her for advice on baking, etc which she loved. She taught them how to make apple crisp without oatmeal!

When we would come to see mom, we were treated as family, not as guests. We appreciate the atmosphere that the staff created. As one of us said, "mom not only received care, she received love."

There aren't words to thank them enough.

~Jenell Staples & the entire Schneider family

The best way to describe my time working at SCMC Courage Cottage is simply a warm hug. I worked at the Courage Cottage for almost nine years—my favorite memories were singing, playing cards, and watching church services with the residents.

The best part and the hardest part of working at the Courage Cottage were the same thing for me—getting to know the residents and their families. It always brought me such joy to do the extra things that would brighten someone's day. They really touched my heart, and I still think of the residents and their families often.

Even now, when I see family members of past residents of the Cottage, memories of their loved ones and my time with them brings a smile to my face. The friendships I made working at the Courage Cottage will last a lifetime.

I still visit the Courage Cottage, and walking in the door I can feel how much Dena and the staff love and care for the residents—just like getting a warm hug.

~Stacie Manska (former Courage Cottage employee)

It is very hard to put into words how grateful I am for the exceptional care my mother received during her time at the Courage Cottage. From the very beginning, she was treated with kindness, dignity, compassion, and genuine love. Within 10 minutes of her arrival on her first day, she had a cold Diet Dr. Pepper in her hand and was getting her hair done. 

The staff became so much more than caregivers for my mom, they took the time to know her, care for her, comfort her, and make sure that she felt safe and loved. Knowing that she was surrounded by such wonderful people gave me a sense of peace that is difficult to describe.

Dementia steals so much of our loved ones. Taking the time to understand her history as a bookkeeper and seeing her counting money for the daily deposit or twirling a baton, like she did in high school was wonderful. 

I will always be thankful mom spent this chapter of her life in a place where she was truly cared for and loved. Saying goodbye to her was incredibly difficult, but knowing she was comfortable, peaceful, and surrounded by people who genuinely cared about her was an incredible gift.

To every person who cared for my mom, Gayle—THANK YOU! You made a lasting difference in her life and in mine. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

~Amy Solvie

My name is Dorothy. My daughter, Karen is writing this for me. The first two times I had the opportunity to move to the Courage Cottage I said "NO!" I cried and made such a fuss. I do not want a change. The third time I had the opportunity to move to the Courage Cottage my children said, "You are moving mom!"

At first I as afraid and confused, but now that I have been here for a few months "I like it here!"
My ever increasing needs are met with loving concern and kindness! It is a cheerful place. I feel safe and loved. I am thankful for the care and attention I receive here. I am happy and content.

~ Dorothy Maus & her children