Golden K chairperson Sue Proudfit, center, introduces guests speakers Upper Peninsula Nurse Honor Guard members Linda Opsahl, left, and Lauri Oberdorfer.

By JOAN JOUPPI

For The Daily News

KINGSFORD — Sunshine and unseasonable warmth greeted the Golden K seniors Monday morning. Some very special guests peaked expectations for the day.

Sue Proudfit stepped up to the podium, rang the bell, and the opening ceremonies began.

Happy birthday was sung for Mary Jane Nelson and the Welcome Song greeted guests Lauri Oberdorfer and Linda Opsahl, who arrived in full dress uniform representing the Upper Peninsula Nurses Honor Guard.

Sharon Scholke took home the 50-50 winnings. The club took time to sing “Auld Lang Syn” in memory of John Corson, a longtime member of the Golden K who recently passed. He enriched the group with stories of his work and world travels. He had a unique style of sharing humor and captivating an audience.

The days guest speakers were Lauri Oberdorfer and Linda Opsahl of the Upper Peninsula Nurses Honor Guard. The group was formed in 2019, with a mission to serve and honor the life and work of nurses locally and throughout the entire Upper Peninsula.

Dressed in a traditional white uniform, with cap and cape, they perform a nostalgic Florence Nightingale tribute ceremony at a funeral or service. Coordinating with families and mortuaries, this service is similar to a military tribute. It is designed to honor those who worked in the field of nursing.

The ceremony is brief and symbolizes the nurse’s dedication to her profession. After the tribute, a chime rings out to signal roll call. When there is no answer, that nurse is officially released from her earthly duties. The Nightingale lamp is then extinguished, and presented to the family. It is a beautiful way to honor those who have dedicated their lives to helping others.

Florence Nightingale is sometimes called the mother of modern nursing. She felt the need to help two- and four-legged creatures at a very early age. In adulthood she devoted her life to caring for those in need.

Before knowledge of germs and bacteria were fully known, she knew the importance of boiling water before approaching a patient. She was ahead of her time. Nurses play a vital role in the care and healing process of patients.

They feel a call to this profession and sometimes sacrifice family time to help others. Many of us count on that lady in white to help out when we ring that bell in the hospital.

This Nurse Honor Guard travels throughout the U.P. and to areas of Wisconsin. Groups are active locally and coordinate with other areas to bring the tribute where requested.

Oberdorfer and Opsahl, along with the rest of the group, participate in the Veterans Tribute Ride, the U.P. Honor Flight, and community events such as the Fourth of July parade.

For information, Opsahl can be reached at 906-250-7414 or Oberdorfer at 906-282-9180. Part of their mission is to inform and encourage students to consider nursing as a lifetime profession.

Golden K will meet at 10 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford with a program that may surprise us all. Coffee, conversation and welcome await.