“Retired.” It sounds neat and tidy. Like everything just… stops.
Career ends. Routine ends. Purpose fades into quiet days and scheduled activities.
Here is the truth. The people who live here didn’t just have jobs. They:
And if you believe that just turns off one day, you have clearly never met a teacher. So, meet a few of the teachers who now call our Edgewood Village community in Bismarck, North Dakota home.
“What you teach is children, not a subject, and do not forget it.”
Otto Reile will tell you he loved teaching. Period. Not liked it. Not “it was a good career.” He loved it.
For over 35 years, he taught English and Social Studies, coached basketball and track, and somewhere down the hall was his wife of 68 years, Jae, was doing the same. For over 35 years. She was the math teacher and even held the title of department head. She was organized, passionate, and the kind of teacher who made sure you actually understood the material.
Teaching went beyond what they did. It shaped who they are, even today.
You do not spend decades leading classrooms and suddenly stop noticing things. You still:
Lucy Mueller spent over 30 years in special education. Which really means she spent 30 years seeing what others might miss.
She worked with children on the edge of needing support, helping build confidence before kindergarten even started. She partnered closely with parents to make sure those kids had a real shot.
Her favorite moments were not flashy. They were the ones when it all clicked. When kids succeeded. When effort turned into confidence.
That mindset does not go away. You still see it in how she interacts with people:
And somehow, she still gets people to believe that.
Muriel Weros taught Grades 1 through 12, all subjects – even music. Because for her, teaching was never just about content. It was about people.
Her grandfather once told her, “Everyone has to have a job for the good of other people.”
So that is exactly what she did. She taught kids how to:
Her husband Harley brings a different kind of perspective. Air Force. Army. WWII, Korea, Vietnam.
After serving his country, he chose to serve again, spending fifteen years teaching math at Minot High School.
“You can’t always succeed, but you can try really, really hard.”
“Patience and understanding.”
They are not standing in front of a classroom… anymore, but they are still teaching. Still shaping the room. Still encouraging. Still making people feel seen.
This Teacher Appreciation Month, it is worth remembering something simple. They did not stop being teachers. They just changed buildings.
Learn more about what life looks like in a community full of stories like these.
Discover how Edgewood Mitchell Assisted Living independence comes to life through personalized therapy, innovative technology, and compassionate care. Velma’s story shows how the right support helps residents stay active, confident, and connected to the things they love.
After 17 years at Edgewood, Rose and Elvin’s story shows how the right senior living options can help couples navigate changing needs, stay connected, and continue living life on their own terms.
After a serious fall changed everything, Colleen and her family found more than senior living; they found a supportive community, coordinated care, and a place she could call home again.
Cathy didn’t become a caregiver overnight it happened gradually through missed details, quiet worries, and a sudden realization about safety. Read her moving story about navigating her father’s dementia journey, finding hope at Edgewood Memory Care, and why asking for support isn’t giving up.
