Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard

Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard Recognizing dedicated nursing professionals at the time of their passing through tradition and ceremony. Please contact us for more information.

The Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard will provide a final tribute, free of charge, to any licensed/registered nurse (LPN, RN, or Advanced Practice) active or retired, that resides in the State of Wisconsin. Wisconsin nurses who desire to volunteer with us, please visit our website and fill out the "volunteer with us" form/tab.

May 30, 2026 the Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard traveled to Brookfield to honor Betty Couillard RN.Betty was a proud gradu...
06/01/2026

May 30, 2026 the Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard traveled to Brookfield to honor Betty Couillard RN.

Betty was a proud graduate of the Bellin School of Nursing, where she earned her RN degree in 1962 and began a lifelong calling of compassion and service. Betty dedicated her nursing career to caring for others, first at Winnebago Mental Health Institute and Waukesha Memorial Hospital in medical-surgical nursing, before pausing her career to devote herself to raising her family.

When she returned to nursing, Betty found her true passion in caring for the elderly at River Hills West Nursing Home, where she faithfully served for 27 years in many roles, ultimately becoming Assistant Director of Nursing Services and serving in that role for several years before retiring in 2011. Betty never left work until she knew everything was done and her patients were cared for, no matter how late the hour. Nursing was not simply her profession: it was her calling.

Betty believed deeply in helping the elderly live safe, dignified, and beautiful lives in their final years. Even during her own hospice care, Betty remained a nurse at heart, continuing to educate and guide the nurses and CNAs caring for her. Her love of nursing also inspired the next generation, as her daughter Alicia proudly followed her into the nursing profession, continuing the compassionate legacy Betty began.

She truly was a nurse to the very end, and her legacy of compassion, dedication, and service will continue to inspire all who knew her.

The Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard thanks Betty’s family and friends for inviting us to pay tribute to her nursing career. Guard members participating in the service for Betty included: Mary, Kathy, Sue, Deborah, Annette, and Jean. We thank them for their dedication to our organization and the nursing profession.

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, the Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard had the privilege of participating in the welcome home celeb...
06/01/2026

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, the Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard had the privilege of participating in the welcome home celebration for the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight Mission #86. What an amazing experience!

This special flight carried 52 veterans, ranging in age from 66 to 98, on a journey to honor their service and sacrifice to our nation. Among them were four remarkable nurses whose lives have been defined by service to others.

With 19 Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard members in attendance, we were honored to welcome home and recognize:
Helene Browne
Gayle Hunter
Karen Stahovic
Barbara Vahovick

These extraordinary veterans devoted themselves to serving others, both in uniform and through their dedication to caring for those around them throughout their lives. Their stories remind us that service does not end when military duty concludes; it continues in countless ways through compassion, commitment, and a willingness to help others.

As they returned home to the cheers of family, friends, and supporters, we were reminded of the freedoms we enjoy because of the sacrifices made by generations of veterans. It was a moving and patriotic day filled with gratitude, pride, and respect.

To all veterans, and especially these four honored nurses, thank you for your service to our nation and for the difference you have made in the lives of so many. It was our privilege to welcome you home.

❤️🤍💙
Our sincere thanks to Stars and Stripes Honor Flight personnel for their dedicated work to honor our veterans, and for inviting us to attend this special tribute.

On May 30, 2026 the Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard gathered in Wausau, WI to pay tribute to the life and career of Hilda L...
05/31/2026

On May 30, 2026 the Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard gathered in Wausau, WI to pay tribute to the life and career of Hilda LaBelle, RN.

Hilda was a dedicated registered nurse whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to compassionate care and professional experience. She graduated with honors from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota where she completed her training from July 1953 to July 1956.

Following graduation , Hilda began her nursing career as a staff nurse at Jackson County Hospital in Maquekota, Iowa. She continued her clinical experience at Riverside Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois and later at St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Her leadership skills led her to serve as supervisor in the Sheboygan Retirement Home, where she oversaw nursing staff and ensured quality care for residents.

Hilda also expanded her professional experience beyond the Midwest while working as a staff nurse in the psychiatry department at Duke University Medical Center. She worked there from 1886 to 1996, when she retired.

Throughout her career, Hilda demonstrated dedication, compassion, and a strong commitment to patient wellbeing across a variety of settings.

Hilda’s granddaughter, Jessica, found a letter in Hilda’s jewelry box that was written by a patient. The letter exemplifies Hilda’s dedication to her patients. The letter reads: “Hilda, thank you for being with me tonight. It was hard to do, but with your support I got thru it. I know it’s not over, but I sure do like having you on my side. You are a very caring and loving person. You are a super nurse! Thanks again.”

Nurse Hilda you have served your patients with care, skill and compassion. You are relieved of your earthly duties, your nursing sisters and brothers will take it from here.

The Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard thanks Hilda’s family for inviting us to pay tribute her. Nurses present were Ruth, Sue, Chuck, Phyllis and Kay. We thank them for their dedication and service to our organization.

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, the WI Nurses Honor Guard gathered in a beautiful park setting in Stoughton, WI to honor and ...
05/30/2026

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, the WI Nurses Honor Guard gathered in a beautiful park setting in Stoughton, WI to honor and remember Ruth Oren, a nurse whose life was defined by compassion, service, and an unwavering commitment to others.

After graduating from Stoughton High School, Ruth followed her calling to nursing at Madison General School of Nursing, earning her diploma as a Registered Nurse in 1970. This marked the beginning of a remarkable career spanning more than 50 years.
Ruth served in many roles throughout her career, including hospitals, NICU, surgical units, home health, hospice, the Dane County Jail, detox centers, and the Visiting Nurse Service. She also gave her time through the Red Cross and as an EMT with Ryan Brothers, always willing to serve wherever she was needed.
In 1973, Ruth extended her service by joining the Wisconsin Army National Guard, where she served at the 13th Evacuation Hospital. Through dedication and leadership, she rose to the rank of Major and served her country honorably for over a decade.

While her career included many specialties, hospice nursing became her true calling. For nearly 20 years, she provided comfort and dignity to those at the end of life and supported families through their grief. Even after retiring in January 2026, Ruth continued volunteering in hospice care.
Ruth lived her nursing values every day. She often stopped to help at accident scenes, offering calm, compassionate care until help arrived. She was truly a Good Samaritan, always ready to help wherever and whenever needed.

Through her kindness and dedication, Ruth touched countless lives.
Ruth, your watch is ended.
Your duty is complete.
We thank you for your service and compassion.
May you rest in peace, dear nurse.

The WNHG would like to thank Ruth’s family for inviting us to honor her for this special tribute. WNHG nurses present were: Jane, Priscilla, Melanie, Sarah, Jill and Sandy. We thank them for their dedication to the profession of nursing and to the WNHG.

The Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard traveled to Pewaukee on May 29 2026, to honor the nursing career of Barb Hucke RN.Barb ...
05/30/2026

The Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard traveled to Pewaukee on May 29 2026, to honor the nursing career of Barb Hucke RN.

Barb graduated in 1983 from Milwaukee County General Hospital School of Nursing with her RN degree, beginning a nursing career that would touch countless lives. She spent more than 40 years serving patients at St. Joseph Hospital in the postpartum unit, where she became known not only for her skill and experience, but for the kindness and reassurance she brought to every family she cared for.

Barb truly loved being a nurse. She cared deeply for her patients and treated each mother and baby as though they mattered personally to her: because to Barb, they did. Nursing was never simply a job; it was who she was. Her dedication showed in the countless quiet moments of comfort, encouragement, and vigilance that defined her career.

One memory her children shared captures Barb’s heart perfectly. Early in her nursing career, she noticed that a baby preparing for discharge did not look right. Though the mother was eager to leave, Barb trusted her instincts. She convinced the mother to stay, contacted the doctor, and insisted the baby be examined again. Later, the doctor thanked Barb and told her she had saved that baby’s life.

That story says everything about the kind of nurse Barb was: attentive, determined, courageous, and deeply compassionate. She trusted her knowledge, listened to her instincts, and advocated fiercely for those in her care. Because of Barb, families were given more time, more memories, and more hope.

Her legacy lives on not only in the many patients whose lives she touched, but in the example she set for everyone around her: to care deeply, to pay attention, and to never underestimate the difference one dedicated nurse can make.

We thank Barb for her years of service, her loving heart, and the extraordinary impact she made through a lifetime of nursing. She will be remembered with gratitude, admiration, and love.

The WNHG thanks the family of Barb for inviting us to honor her. Honor Guard members participating in the service were Julie, Deborah, Wendi, Marilee, Kathleen, Ann, and Kathy. We thank them for their service to our organization and to the nursing profession.

On Friday, May 29, 2026, the Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard gathered in Fitchburg to honor the life and nursing career of ...
05/30/2026

On Friday, May 29, 2026, the Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard gathered in Fitchburg to honor the life and nursing career of Sandra (Sandy) Stephens, RN. Sandy graduated from Winona State University in 1974 with a BSN. She started working at Madison General Hospital right after graduation in the ICU. She did this for about 10 years. She returned to school to continue her education at UW-Madison earning her MSN. Madison General merged with Methodist Hospital and later became Unity Point Meriter Hospital. Sandy worked in a couple of different management positions before finding that Quality Resourses was her niche. Her friend and colleague, Mary, reports that Sandy had several positions working with medical staff concerns doing auditing to make sure that doctors were providing high quality care. She had management positions within quality resources doing audits making sure that Medicare requirements were being met. Mary reports that Sandy was very supportive of employees and that she was great to work with. She was willing to learn and to help others learn so that staff could provide the best possible care to their patients. She worked well with doctors and was well respected. She was dedicated to patients when she was at the bedside and when doing quality improvement to be sure that they were receiving excellent care. Sandy retired from Unity Point Meriter in 2016, a career that spanned a total of 42 years.

Sandy influenced her fellow nurses by helping them learn to be better nurses and setting a good example. She was a Girl Scout leader fir many years. Her husband noted that Sandy received a letter from a former Scout letting Sandy know how much her leadership had influenced her life. Sandy was up for adventures in nature, including skiing and backpacking in the mountains. She made friends for life, including a couple of co-workers that she had coffee with on a regular basis.

Nurse Sandy, you touched many lives, either through direct care in the ICU or your quality improvement measures to make sure that patients got quality care. Your Girl Scouts were influenced by your guidance and nurturing. It is now time for you to rest in eternal peace. Your brothers and sisters will take over from here. Your nurse friends and family will miss your presence and love but rejoice that your pain and suffering have been relieved through the interventions of the amazing care of the Agrace Hospice team.

The Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard thanks Sandy's family for inviting us to provide this final tribute to our fallen colleague. Those nurses participating today were: Pam, Jane, Mary, Barb, and Linda. We thank them for their service to our organization and the nursing profession.

On Friday, May 29, 2026, the WI Nurses Honor Guard traveled to Stevens Point to honor Nurse Rachel Favor, RN. Rachel’s ...
05/29/2026

On Friday, May 29, 2026, the WI Nurses Honor Guard traveled to Stevens Point to honor Nurse Rachel Favor, RN.

Rachel’s calling to nursing began when she was only fourteen years old. After spending more than six months away from home battling rheumatic fever at the University of Wisconsin Madison Hospital and Kiddy Camp in Middleton, Wisconsin, she experienced firsthand the compassion and kindness of nurses and doctors whose care changed the course of her life forever. Although she missed her entire freshman year of high school because of her illness, Rachel’s determination carried her forward as she completed four years of school in only three years, graduating at the top of her class. She went on to attend nursing school at the Milwaukee County School of Nursing, graduating with honors in 1961 and ranking third in her class. Her dream of becoming a nurse was nearly cut short by financial hardship until her nursing director, Miss Mercer, quietly paid Rachel’s final tuition bill out of her own purse—an act of kindness Rachel never forgot and later repaid with her first paycheck. Rachel began her career as Head Nurse of the OB postpartum floor at Milwaukee County Hospital, where she often stepped forward to help deliver babies when physicians were unavailable. After moving to Stevens Point with her husband Conrad, Rachel continued her nursing career at Saint Michael’s Hospital and later spent twenty-two years caring for patients in Internal Medicine at the Rice Clinic.

For thirty-five years, Rachel served her patients with compassion, skill, and unwavering dedication. She was known as a strong patient advocate, a trusted colleague, and a nurse who truly loved caring for others. Even after retiring in 1996, Rachel continued to serve family, friends, neighbors, and those nearing the end of life with the same kindness and generosity that defined her nursing career. To Rachel, nursing was never simply a job—it was a calling and a life devoted to service above self. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and in the friendships she treasured throughout her life and career. Today, we honor Rachel Favor, RN, for a lifetime of compassion, excellence, and faithful service to humanity. As Rachel often said, “A nurse is one who opens the eyes of a newborn and gently closes the eyes of a dying patient. It is indeed a high blessing to be the first and last to witness the beginning and end of life.” – Unknown

We would like to thank Rachel’s family for inviting the WNHG to honor her at this special time. WNHG nurses that attended were: Kathy, Susan, Chuck, Phyllis, Jan and Marsha. We thank these nurses for their dedication to the profession of nursing and the WNHG.

In somber gratitude, we remember all those who gave everything for our freedom. This Memorial Day, we honor their courag...
05/25/2026

In somber gratitude, we remember all those who gave everything for our freedom. This Memorial Day, we honor their courage, sacrifice, and service to our country. 🇺🇸

On Friday, May 22, 2026, WNHG paid tribute to the life and career of Jeanne Dorgan, RN in Milwaukee, WI.Jeanne devoted h...
05/23/2026

On Friday, May 22, 2026, WNHG paid tribute to the life and career of Jeanne Dorgan, RN in Milwaukee, WI.

Jeanne devoted her life to caring for others with skill, compassion, and quiet strength. She first answered the call to service in the United States Army, serving as a patient care and medical specialist as an LPN. During her military service, Jeanne earned Army commendations and recognition for good conduct — honors reflecting her dedication, professionalism, and strong character. After leaving the Army, Jeanne continued her education as a single mother, attending Milwaukee Area Technical College to become a registered nurse.

Jeanne spent her entire nursing career caring for the tiniest and most vulnerable patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She worked at St. Joseph’s, Sinai, and St. Mary’s hospitals in Milwaukee, where she became known as an exceptionally gifted NICU nurse who deeply loved her work. Her daughter, Celinda, shared, “I believe the joy, humor, and light that she radiated to others she worked with was tied not only to her passion for her career, but also for the patient population she cared for.”

Families trusted Jeanne with their precious babies during some of life’s most difficult moments, and her calm presence and compassionate heart brought comfort and hope to countless parents and children. Her coworker and friend, Margaret, lovingly recalled, “She always came to work with a smile on her face and a joke to help lift your spirits. She helped me through many a difficult 12-hour night shift with her laughter.”

Jeanne’s legacy of nursing and service continues through her daughter, Celinda, who also serves as a nurse in the United States Army. Jeanne retired in 2019 after a remarkable career defined by devotion, sacrifice, humor, and extraordinary care for others.

We thank Jeanne's family for inviting us to honor her. Honor Guard members in attendance were Julie, Hanna, Marcia, Carol, Vicky, and Karen. We thank them for their dedicated service to our organization.

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P. O Box 321
Waukesha, WI
53187

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