Draft:Western Home

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The Western Old People's Home had their groundbreaking on August 21, 1911, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. They opened with the help of the Evangelical Association, in partnership with the Pfeiffer family of Cedar Falls. However, they officially opened June 18, 1912, accepting 2 members with the dedication ceremony taking place on September 20, 1912. Since 1903, the Evangelical Association attempted to find a Home for church members in the denomination's western states. Board members looked and rejected 9 different states including places in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois until the Pfeiffer Family helped.[1] The name was changed to Western Home in August/September of 1955. Then, the continued to have another name change of Western Home Communities in 2001.

In the Summer of 1937, the Kendal Christian Women's Home from Nashua, Iowa had proposed a merging with Western Old People's Home through their attorney as they had too few members that they couldn't successfully continue. After some meetings with their Attorney, the Executive Committee voted for the merger, resulting in two women from the Kendal Home coming to Western Home along with assets being turned over. These assets included approximately $40,000. A Kendall Trust was also made.

Church Affiliation

The Old People's Western Home was a part of the Evangelical Association in the beginning. Prior to the Western Home, all institutions under the Association were located in 'eastern states.' However, in Western Home's 1950 Superintendent Report and the 1956 and 1961 information booklets, it shows that they are under the Evangelical United Brethren Church, perhaps due to the merger in 1946 of the Evangelical Association and Church of the United Brethren in Christ (New Constitution). In 1969, the United Methodist Church was created due to the Evangelical United Brethren and Methodists joining. However, in 1983, the ownership agreement with the United Methodist Church dissolves and the Home then becomes a non-profit organization. This means that they are now held in a trust by a board of volunteer directors. Today, Western Home continues to consider itself a Christian organization.

In the 15th annual report, Lang discusses how German was spoken exclusively in services for the Home when he first came there. However, in 1927, there were 30 non-German speakers at that point with most people being able to 'get along very well' with the English language, save for three people. German was quite prominent in the early 1900s in Iowa. It is estimated that about 12% around 1900 either spoke it as their primary or secondary language.

Locations of the Home

Proposed new building was discussed in 1920 by the Board. They created a building fund to carry out the project, as they included it in the Financial Budget under Forward Movement to the amount of $50,000.

Past Locations/Additions of the Home

Location	Address	Background/History
Willowwood Assisted Living /	1100 Grove St, Cedar Falls, IA	Ground breaking, first spade turned by Vernon Halverson (Western Home Board of Directors) on Sunday, April 24, 1988. However, it wasn't until 1989 that they opened.
	10th Street, Cedar Falls, IA	This was completed in 1969. This made the Home's capacity 278. It included a kitchen, dining room, along with 10 larger residential rooms.
Northwest wing		In 1961 they completed this. It cost about $461,000. This meant that the Home could make accommodations for 60 more residents.
North Wing		In 1958, the North Wing was completed. This cost about $300,000 and included a longue, elevator, sitting rooms, and 50 rooms for residents.
House	1104 Irving Street, Cedar Falls, IA	~1956, maybe earlier
Rental Property	1104 Grove Street, Cedar Falls, IA	~1952, maybe earlier
Spoffard House	Clinton, IA	In 1941, they mention that the Home owned 7 houses which are rented or sold on contract. The Spoffard House was sold 2 months before the Superintendent's Report for $2,000 in cash. With the Belle Plaine location, they had issues with the person they sold the house to. However, they ended up getting a quit claim deed meaning that there wasn't a need to go to the court to get the contract annulled. They also seemed to have a similar issue with a house in Waterloo that they sold to another gentleman. However, they hope to just get the contract annulled.
House	Belle Plaine, IA
House	Waterloo, IA
Farm	Near Fredericksburg, IA	In 1941, they got this farm (100 acres). This was given as an admittance fee by a resident. They believe the value is at $6,000 due to the excellent land but run-down buildings.
The Smith Farm (140 Acres)	By Nashua, IA	1939, owned several farms (including renting some of them). The Smith Farm came in their possession from the Kendall Merger. They sold the Smith Farm to the current renter in 1952 as they rented it for over a period of 15 years at this point and it was no longer necessary for them. The Heald Farm was a part of the Kendall merger. The Iowa Highway commission bought the rights for a new road through a corner of the land, which gave them $699.50 total.
The Heald Farm (55 acres)	By Nashua, IA
The Schafer Farm (80 Acres)	By Austin, Minnesota
The Haehlen Farm (160 Acres)	By Minot, South Dakota
		In the 1933 Superintendent's Report, they received a farm and sold it the same year for $16,100.
		In the 1932 Superintendent's Report, it is specified that there were only 2 new units erected for the Home since their opening with a cost of nearly $200,000. Also discusses disposing of properties such as 40 acres of land 20 miles from the home (sold to them for $4,040). They also sold the "Henning House" in Cedar Falls for $4,400.
Barbara Pfeiffer Sunshine Addition		The total cost was $102,080.40 which was over $30k above the gift towards this addition. This includes the cost of the Beck house, wiring, plumbing and heating, an elevator, laundry equipment, furniture, and more.This was completed in 1929. Specifically, this ward had two solariums, two nurses stations, 36 rooms, a second elevator, and laundry.
Beck House	Cedar Falls, Iowa	In the 1927 Report, there appears to have been 3 houses on Beck House property which, along with the old sheds and barn, were taken down or moved away. This ground was then made into a garden. The New Addition had also been completed by this time, along with the Superintendent's Home.
		In 1925, the Beck House, north of the Superintendent's cottage, was purchase for $4,000. This was then rented to Brother Engel, an Iowa Conference Evangelist.
The Day Farm (140 Acres)	By Red Oak, IA	The Day Farm was sold in 1941 for $9k cash. Originally given in a deed to the home in October 1925 through a contract of two residents --a husband and wife-- entering the home. However, those residents still worked on the farm. The husband passed away in 1929 with the wife continuing to manage the business of it until the Home took over management in 1937. In the plan to sell the home, they hoped to give money to a variety of organizations including: the Missionary Society of the Iowa Conference, the Deaconess Society of the Evangelical Church, the Missionary Society of the Evangelical Church, with personal property on the Farm going to Western Home. However, they were unable to do this due to expense and needing it towards the wife's time at the Home.
New Addition		In 1923, a discussion of the New Addition to the Home being done. This cost a total of $92,000 including a chapel, elevator, 40 rooms, 2 dining rooms, a kitchen, and an office.
New house	Cedar Falls, Iowa	In 1921, this new house was built where the old Rumhill house was located for the Superintendent as there was no building near the Home for the Superintendent and the Matron to live.

Current Locations

Current Locations of the Home

Location	Address	History/Background
Windhaven Assisted Living	5500 S Main St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613	These locations opened in 2006. They added 35 more apartments to Windhaven in 2010.
Thalman Square Memory Care Assisted Living
Standard Family Assisted Living at The Deery Suites	5301 Caraway Ln, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Western Home Therapy	5307 Caraway Ln, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Prairie Wind Independent Living	5313 Caraway Ln, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Windgrace	5118 S. Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613	This location opened in 1991.
Windermere	5018 S. Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613	This location opened in 1992.
Windcove	5300 S Main St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613	This location opened in 2004.
Windcrest Villas/Townhomes		Construction started for the villas in 2001. In 2010, the first set of 4 Windcrest Townhomes were constructed. In 2011, construction for more townhomes continued along with the Villa starting construction for the remaining lots in 2011. This was known as Phase IV. The Villas are each a different design, prioritizing independent living for residents. Each villa was also customized by the new residents at the time.
Windridge	5311 Hyacinth Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613	This Retirement Community opened in 2008.
Martin Suites	420 East 11th Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
The Cottages	Caraway Lane

Automobile

On the New Years in 1921, a Ford Sedan was purchased exclusively for the Home's use instead of using the Superintendent's personal car. There was already a car fund of $600. For 9 months, expenses for the car cost them less than $40. At the time, a Ford Sedan might have cost $795 in the US.

In 1935, the Hudson car that the Home owned for 10 years was sold. This car was big enough for 7 passengers. However, by trading this in, they ended up with a second-hand Packard.

In 1941, it is mentioned that the Home had 2 automobiles (Plymouth and Packard). These both had their own uses. The Packard was used to take members to various church activities. However, this caused quite an expense --with $66 a year on insurance. Meanwhile, the Plymouth was a 1936 model and, although in good condition, had 62k miles on it. Knowing that cars would be more expensive in 1942, they went ahead and traded in both cars to get a new one --a Chrysler. They hoped to get an additional car after saving some money.

The Pfeiffer Family

The Pfeiffer Family not only helped to start the Western Old People's Home with donations but also with direct continued involvement in the Home.

A lot of involvement came from:

• Gustavas Adollphus Pfeiffer with his wife (Louise F. Pfeiffer).
• Henry Pfeiffer Jr. with his wife (Annie Maria Merner Pfeiffer).

Pfeiffer Involvement [Exact year might be off due to this being from the Superintendent's Reports]

Year	Month/Day	Who?	$ Amount	Reasoning (if any)
1911	May 2	Gus Pfeiffer and Mrs. Anna Pfeiffer	$20,000	[Trustees accepted the offer on this date] Along with old Pfeiffer Home in Cedar Falls -starting up the Western Home. This happened at a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Seibert Home for the Old People of the Evangelical Association held in their church in Cedar Falls. In the Fall 1911, they had only $4,231.50 besides this donation.
	Aug			Ground was broken for the new building.
	Sept 11			Formal ceremony for laying the corner-stone took place.
1912	Sept 20	Jacob Pfeiffer	$100	Given at an Annual Board Meeting.
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919		Henry Pfeiffer	Proposal	In cash. A proposal to pay $5,000 to the home toward a new building provided that the church raised $10,000. [This proposal would pay for the cost of installation: estimated to be $4-5K]
1920		Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer	Approx. $8,500	Several handsome donations during the year.
		Mr. Henry Pfeiffer	Approx. $9,000	Paid for heating system installation (from City Water Works). The Johns-Manville Insulating system was adopted.
	(Several weeks prior to 1920 Superintendent Report)	Mr. Henry Pfeiffer	$4,100 in property: $2,600 (MP) and $1,500 (GR)	Purchased 2 properties in Cedar Falls, giving them to the home: Maurice Peterson house and lot (located in the same block where the House is at). The second is the George Rumhill residence with 2 lots (opposite of the Home).
1921		Mr. Henry Pfeiffer		Helped pay for the beamed ceilings and doors for the Superintendent's Home.
1922				At a General Conference, it is reported that Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer, G.A. Pfeiffer, along with Mrs. Winter (Blairstown, IA) and Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Deberiner (Sumner, IA) helped to contribute over $60,000 since the beginning of the Home, excluding the smaller gifts that were provided to the Home.
1923		Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer	$5,000	Alongside this, there was an offer the pair proposed that if the Home raises $20,000 up until January 1924, they will give $10,000 for the building fund.
1924		Mr. Gus Pfeiffer	$2,500	Paid a part of the cost to fully equip the laundry (total was $6,000 with Mr. G.A. Pfeiffer paying just under half).
		Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer	$10,000	Given towards the building fund as $20k was raised.
1925
1926
1927
1928		Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer & Mr. and Mrs. Gus Pfeiffer	$60,000	Originally, this amount was supposed to be $50k for a New Addition. However, after Mr. G.A. Pfeiffer saw that the proposed addition would be too small (with the Board agreeing), he offered to add $5k onto the amount and would discuss the situation with his brother --Henry-- who also added $5k.
	Dec 25	Mr. Gus Pfeiffer		A Christmas gift of $5 for every member of the Home and $10 for each of the help (plus some more for the Superintendent and Matron).
			(Value of more than $1,200 for the fridge and a mixer worth almost $500)	Gifted a General Electric refrigerator, food mixer, 7 canaries, 7 bowls of fish, and a Readi's/Pach's(?) [last word is written in.]
1929
1930	Spring	Mr. Henry Pfeiffer and Mr. Gus Pfeiffer		For the Barbara Pfeiffer Sunshine addition, he paid for the larger machines in the kitchen. Iceless refrigerator and Hobart Slicing machine.
		Mr. Gus Pfeiffer	$1,000	Used towards landscaping. This was all spent by the 1931 Superintendent's Report.
		Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer		In all three units, they installed a Johnson Hear Controle System.
	Around Dec 25	Mr. Gus Pfeiffer	$660	Described as a 'gold shower,' this money was distributed among them without specifying who exactly.
1931
1932
1933		Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer	$2,500
1934
1935
1936		Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer	$10,000	This money went towards the endowment fund.
1937		Mr. Gus Pfeiffer	$10,000	Simply listed as a gift to the Home.
1938		Mrs. Gus Pfeiffer	$1,000	Listed as a gift.
1939		Mr. Gus Pfeiffer	Valued at $265.62	January 1, 1939: a gift of 18 earphones were installed in the Chapel. An additional $5k was donated to the home after January 1st but prior to March 1939.
		Mr. Henry Pfeiffer	$25,000	This was listed as a special gift from their long time friend. Henry Pfeiffer dies April 13, 1939 in NY. He is buried in Cedar Falls.
1940
1941		Mr. Gus Pfeiffer	$15,000

Trustees

The first Superintendent's Report is from 1912, 1 year after their opening.

Trustees through the Years *Years of all trustees unknown: 1917-1939 [there are mentions in report at times of specific trustees during these dates still, however]. 1940 Superintendent Report cannot be found.

Trustees	Year(s) served on the board	Special Role?	Notes
Bishop S.P. Spreng	1912-1920	President	Original Member.
Rev. C. Schneider	1912-1915	Vice President	Original Member.
Rev. A.L Hauser	November 11, 1911-1920	Superintendent, specified as Secretary from 1911-15.	Original Member. Rev. Andrew L Hauser. Finished role in 1920, Lang takes over.
Mrs. A.L. Hauser	November 11, 1911-1920	Matron (Wife of Superintendent)	Emma Christina (Guerney) Hauser. Finished role in 1920 alongside her husband.
Rev. F.F. Jordan	1912-1919	Secretary from 1916-1919.	Original Member. Finished role in 1919.
Rev. E.H. Sohl	1912-1939(?)		Original Member. Possibly Rev. Ezra Henry Sohl
Mr. P.O. Wadewitz	1912-1915(?)		Original Member.
Mr. W.C. Nuhn	1912-1925	Specified as Treasurer in 1913-25	Original Member. William C. Nuhn (March 31,1865-October 11, 1938).
Mr. J.J. Arnold	1912-1916 (?)		Original Member.
Mr. J.H. Burmester	1912-1920		Original Member. Finished role in 1920.
Rev. J.E. Klein	1916-(?)
Rev. M.C. Platz	1916-1920		Finished role in 1920.
Rev. C.A. Bremer	1916-(?)
W.C. Lang	1920-Feb 1937	Superintendent from October 1920-1936.	1936 Superintendent's Report: discusses having worked as a farmer, laundryman, and general chore boy besides his duties as Superintendent through his time in said role. Reported his stepping down in the 1936 Superintendent Report after having served through the Great Depression. William Christopher Lang
Mrs. W.C. Lang	1920-Feb 1937	Matron (Wife of Superintendent)	1936 Superintendent's Report: discusses being a cook, nurse, and most often a floor girl besides her serving in her role as Matron during that time. Emma Sophia Haag Lang
Bishop S.C. Breyfogel	1920-(?)		Sylvanus C. Breyfogel. Started role in 1920.
Dr. H.J. Faust	1937-1941(?)	Takes over as Superintendent from Lang in 1937-1941(?) Assistant Treasurer in 1938. Acting Treasurer in 1939-(?)	Possibly Henry John Faust (from Germany) or Henry John Faust(from Denver, IA)
Dr. H.J. Faust's wife		Matron (Wife of Superintendent)
A.J. Wile	1938(?)-1939		Adam Jefferson Wile. Reported to be a member in 1938, could have been on the board before. Died a bit after the 1938 meeting took place.
Bishop C.H. Stauffacher	1939-1956(?)	President for 1939-(?)	Charles H Stauffacher
Rev. Phillip Schneider	1939(?)-(?)	Vice President for 1939-(?)
Rev. O.M. Yaggy	1939(?)-(?)	Secretary in 1939-(?)	Rev. Oliver Moody Yaggy. Reported to be their Pastor in the 1938 Superintendent's Report.
Rev. C.B. Frank	1939(?)-(?)
Mr. Carl W. Miller	1939(?)-1961(?)		Possibly Carl Wesley Miller or Carl William Miller
Mr. C.C. Pitsch	1939(?)-(?)		Carl C. Pitsch
Mr. W.J. Wile	1939(?)-(?)
Mr. M.G. Erffmeyer	1939(?)-1951		Milton Garfield Erffmeyer. Served the Board for over 30 years according to the 1951 Superintendent's Report.
G.A. Stauffacher	1946-1952	Superintendent in 1950(?)-1952	George Adam Stauffacher. Mentions this being their 6th Annual Report in 1951.
Mrs. G.A. Stauffacher	1946-1952	Matron (Wife of Superintendent)	Ida G. Kitterman Stauffacher
F.A Trautman	(?)-1950		Rev Frederick A. Trautmann
Wm. G. Rembolt	1952(?)-(?)		Probably Rev. William G. Rembolt. In the 1952 Superintendent Report, he represented Western Home at the Nebraska Conference.
Rev. G.H. McAhren	1952(?)-1961(?)		Probably Rev George Harvey McAhren. In the 1952 Superintendent Report, he represented Western Home at the Wisconsin Conference.
Dr. W.B. Tarr	1956(?)-1961(?)	Superintendent	Possibly Ward Bemis Tarr
Mrs. W.B. Tarr	1956(?)-(?)	Matron	Possibly Minnie Kruse Tarr
Rev. Donald H. Iles	1956(?)-1961(?)	Secretary in 1956.
Rev. J. Ivan LaFavre.	1956(?)-1961(?)		Rev. John Ivan LaFavre
Bishop Emeritus	1956(?)-(?)
Bishop L.L. Baughman	1956(?)-(?)	Chairman
Raymond C. Cook	1956(?)-1961(?)
Dr. Wm. G. Rebolt	1956(?)-(?)
Ben Norenberg	1956(?)-(?)
H.G. Schwen	1956(?)-1961(?)
Clarence Ahrens	1961(?)-(?)
Rev. C.R. Findley	1961(?)-(?)
Rev. John F. Wichelt	1961(?)-(?)
Rev. R.C. Pfaltzgraff	1961(?)-(?)		Possibly Richard Carl Pfaltzgraff
Loren Clark	1961(?)-(?)
Rev. A.B. Utzman	1961(?)-(?)		Likely Rev. Albert B. Utzman
Rev. John W. Schindler	1961(?)-(?)
Harold Jordan	1961(?)-(?)
Bishop Paul W. Milhouse	1961(?)-(?)		Bishop Paul William Milhouse

Numbers of People in the Home

People in the Home through the Years

Year	Residents	Employees	Notes
1916	29		Enrollment at 29 with their capacity at 35.
1937	108		Capacity of 106. Had been this capacity, going from 108 to 107.
1938	108		Capacity of 106.
1939	Mostly 110, average of 108		Capacity of 106.
1941	107	11 workers.	Mentions that 9 were women and 2 were men. However, there was 4 new women needed to be employed (1 due to illness and 3 due to becoming married).
1961	163	26 (Full-time)

Historical Events

La Grippe or Influenza

Colloquially known as "La Grippe" or "Grippe," influenza or the flu took place in Western Home for a 3-year period. In 1915, Western Home appears to have had struggles with an Influenza outbreak. This took place after Russian Flu/Asiatic Flu, an Influenza pandemic that hit the US in 1889-1890 and prior to the Spanish Flu, an influenza pandemic that took place from 1918-1920. La Grippe in the Superintendent's Report is reported to have come through during the Spring of 1915, causing them to have 11 patients, about 25 years after the Russian Flu Pandemic ended. However, it seems that the only 2 deaths at the Home during this annual period were from old age.

This continued to affect residents of the Home in the following year, particularly in February and March of 1916. It was quite severe as 15 patients were bedridden, and they had to call in for a special nurse (besides the faculties usual nurse). Although it isn't specified what they died of exactly, there were 4 deaths that year. At this time, they reported their enrollment at 29 with their capacity at 35. Since their start in 1911, 8 residents had died whereas 4 were dismissed with a total of 41 residents having entered in this 5-year span.

In 1917, it is reported that La Grippe had left the home and that health conditions of residents were better than they had been previously. However, there were residents who were 'sorely afflicted' in the Home, who ended up dying after suffering for a long time. They continued to use the help of a special nurse (aside from their usual help) during this time. Alongside this, residents also helped with the sick with their aid helping to alleviate a financial burden to the Home. There were 4 deaths of residents at the Home that year, none appearing to be from La Grippe.

Much later, in 1938, they discuss only 1 instance of the flu in the Home when there were quite a few cases in the community and city as a whole.

The Bureau of the Census during this time only collected data from a limited number of states which had grown but did not include Iowa through this time. However, there is information from neighboring states to Iowa: [The below data showing the adjusted and crude rates.]

• Minnesota, North of Iowa
  • Mortality rates from 1910 to 1920 was reported to be:
    • Adjusted rate: 5.2 per 100,000 in 1910, climbing up to 69.7 per 100,000 in 1920.
    • Crude rate: these numbers go from 4.7 to 70.3.

• Illinois, East of Iowa
  • Mortality rates from 1920 alone:
    • Adjusted rate at 79.1
    • Crude rate at 80.1

• Missouri, south of Iowa
  • Mortality rates from 1920 alone:
    • Adjusted rate at 97.9
    • Crude rate at 97.2

Overall, these numbers from these three states alone vary in 1920 between 69.7 to 97.9 in the adjusted rate. Meanwhile, even the crude rate go from 70.3 to 97.2. This helps illustrate the rise of the Spanish Flu, especially as Minnesota had quite low numbers in comparison just 10 years prior, in 1910, at 5.2 (adjusted rate) or 4.7 (crude rate).

The University of Northern Iowa, located in Cedar Falls, then known as the Iowa State Teachers College (1909–1961) also had quite a few problems with influenza -even before Western Home's existence. During Western Home's existence, however, they discuss a variety of peaks, including those in 1911 and 1913, along with the Spanish Flu.

World War I

World War I, taking place from 1914-1918 had affected Western Home. The US entered the war with the allied forces on April 6, 1917, with Congress declaring war on Germany. One such instance includes the higher prices affecting the Home according to 1918 Superintendent's Report, making them economize whenever possible without curtailing expenses on necessities. Some government regulations include having lived without meat and wheat some days as well as restrictions on things such as flour and sugar. Pre-war, the cost of maintenance per capita was $150, now increasing by $60 (making it $210). Besides suffering financially, Hauser -the trustee Superintendent during this time- also reports that 4 from the Home registered as 'enemy aliens.' The term enemy alien was used during this time for German Nationals along with German allies (including Austrians, Hungarians, Bulgarians, and Turks). This seemed to have happened even with regulations placed by President Woodrow Wilson.

Alongside this, the Babel Proclamation, made by IA Governor William L. Harding forbade any other language than English in public on May 23, 1918 which was later repealed that same year -on December 4th. This had targeted the German population in Iowa due to the anti-German sentiments (as part of World War I). As seen in 1927 alone (under 'Church Affiliation') Western Home's German population was quite prominent meaning that this could have affected how the Home did sermons at this time. In general, the German population in Iowa was quite big in the early 1900s. It is estimated that about 12% around 1900 either spoke it as their primary or secondary language.

The Great Depression

The Great Depression lasted in the United States from 1929 until 1939. Western Home discusses this through several Superintendent's Reports as follows:

The 1934 Superintendent's Report discussed assets being at $383,000, distributing through building and equipment, the superintendent's home, land and other buildings, as well as money and credits. These assets have increased more than 3 times what they were in 1920 (with them being $113,000 beforehand). However, it cost $257,000 to maintain the home during that time period, costing them well-over half a million dollars in spite of the Depression taking place, according to Lang. However, during this year, 12 residents passed away resulting in a loss of $7,545 to the Home or $686 per person. However, this wasn't concerning to Lang as last year (1933) resulted in a profit of $5,745.

In the 1935 Superintendent's Report, the cost to run the Home was $1,685.55 more than it was in 1934. The Superintendent believes this is due to the New Deal, discussing how every item cost more this year than last year, more specifically $17.32 more per person.

In 1936, Lang -then Superintendent of Trustees- describes the Home (on its 25th anniversary) as flourishing. After all, they had both physical assets well over a quarter million dollars and a substantial balance. On top of this, they now have 13 workers, up from the 3 workers in 1920, with both Lang and his wife having helped the Home greatly during this period, together serving as farmer, laundryman, chore boy (for Mr. Lang) and nurse, cook, and particularly floor girl (for Mrs. Lang). As far as experiences in the past year, the winter was the coldest they had known in many years, coinciding with records of the 1936 North American Cold Wave. Alongside this, the 1936 North American Heat Wave had its effect on residents and (the caring of) crops. With this and with efforts to increase the endowment fund to $100,000 (i.e. adding on $40,000), Lang realized that this was not possible with the Depression as it was a huge financial undertaking and that --with the Summer-- people lacked hope. Therefore, he did not press the matter that year with the Endowment Fund only having been raised to over $75,000 instead of $100,000 like they wished.

When overviewing the years in the Home up to 1934, W.C. Lang --the Superintendent at the time-- discusses the Depression briefly. Looking at receipts of the Home in 1920, their assets totaled 113,000. In 1934, that had since increased to $383,000. In the Superintendent's Report, he is quite impressed with these numbers --even those from the Great Depression.

1936 North American Cold Wave and 1936 North American Heat Wave

As far as experiences discussed in the 1936 Superintendent Report, the winter was the coldest they had known in many years, coinciding with records of the 1936 North American Cold Wave. There were long periods of sub-zero weather, but they were able to keep the Home warm and comfortable through this time. Generally, in Iowa, the heavy snow covered was worsened by a blizzard on February 8-10, 1936. This made it so that people could not travel, therefore resulting in towns being isolated.

Following this terrible winter was a blistering heat in the Summer, known as the 1936 North American Heat Wave. Six residents in particular struggled with this heat. However, with the help of cool rooms in the basement and use of icepacks, they helped save their lives. Besides this, the garden and field crops suffered due to the long dry spell resulting in this heat. However, through this, the gardener and a few old men continued watering and mulching the ground, resulting in fair crop minus potatoes. Lang -the trustee's Superintendent- also notes that this exception is important due to the price of potatoes at the time. More specifically, ten pounds of potatoes in 1935 were $0.19 with number raising to $0.32 in 1936, with this only decreasing a bit in 1937 at $0.28. This is something that also coincides with general sentiments in Iowa during that period with corn hardly growing due to the weather. In records of the temperatures during this time, New Hampton -only 43 minutes away from Cedar Falls- set a record high of 110°F on July 13, 1936 with Fayette (at 110°F) and Decorah (at 111°F) also setting record highs the day after.

The year following these extreme weather events, in the Superintendent's Report, Faust -the trustee's Superintendent following Lang- discusses the Barn and Garden. Here, quite a lot was produced:

Barn and Garden: Production and Value (1937)

Food	Total produced	Specific $ potential	Tota value	Additional Information
Eggs	721 dozen	25 cents/dozen	$180.25
Milk	14869 Quarts	9 cents/quart	$1338.41	Produced from 3 cows
Chicken (meat)	160 Chickens	$1/chicken	$160
Potatoes	150 bushels		$275
Beans	30 bushels
Tomatoes	120 bushels
Peas	12 bushels

*Data excludes food from vegetable gardens (radishes, lettuce, carrots, spinach, cabbage, rhubarb, and strawberries).

On top of this, the orchard was considered to be a total failure. The orchard also seemed to be quite a struggle in general, as shown in the 1939 Superintendent's Report. For 1937, the total valuation of products is $1,953.66. Meanwhile, expenses include $1,598 for various things such as feed, seed, chicks, wages, etc. This gave a profit of $355.66.

World War II

World War II started on September 1, 1939, and ended on September 2, 1945. The United States became involved after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

In the 1941 Superintendent Report, H.J. Faust --the Superintendent at the time-- points out the uncertainty of economic conditions and the rising finances of the Home. This is something that becomes a point of concern and interest for them. Especially after the financial depression the Home experienced a year ago, this is something that Faust points out as making them fearful of the future with this current world war. The cost of various food items (bread, butter, egg, and milk but especially meat) had gone up by 10-50%.