There are some who dare to dream dreams and make a difference. Among them were Jacob Rummel and Emilie Dow, both of whom individually dared to envision the creation within the city of Sioux Falls of a new type of community, one that would serve the needs of those of advancing years. Both embodied their visions in their wills.
So it was that in 1958, after the death of Jacob Rummel, the Rummel Memorial Home was incorporated and the original 9 ½ acre site purchased. Another bequest, this from the estate of Mathilda Rummel, made possible the initial building of 29 self-care units and 12 infirmary rooms that were completed in 1962. As the retirement community concept was new, the first years were lean. In 1964 the United Church of Christ agreed to take over management and financial responsibility.
Emilie Dow's vision began to materialize in 1966 when the Baron and Emilie Dow Home was incorporated with its board of trustees of four Episcopalians and one bank trust officer. Meetings between the Rummel and Dow boards ensued and resulted in 1967 in an agreement between the two nonprofit corporations to operate as a single entity. Its mission was to provide a comfortable retirement atmosphere at the lowest cost consistent with good business practice. The Dow wing of self-care units was constructed, and Dow Rummel Village was born.
Among its residents, allegiance to the village has always been strong. The 1986 bequest of long-time resident Eva Allen was used to construct the Eva Allen Health Care Center (Allen Wing), the village's health care center. In 1992 and again in 1994, the board of trustees initiated action to build three-story apartment buildings thus creating our Village North Apartments. Together the two buildings have 54 apartments. Fourteen cottages completed the campus (nine cottages currently remain on the campus). Sisters Jewell Halladay and Laura Peterson chose to gift money during their lifetimes so they could see the construction of the award-winning chapel whose first service was on Easter 1997.
In 1999 the property adjacent to the village to the west was purchased and we began dreaming of what our future campus should be. In the fall of 2003 we opened the new Village West Apartments adding 59 new independent apartment to the campus. In February of 2004 the Village Center was completed, which brings Dow Rummel Village to a new level of premire retirement communities with the addition of a Wellness Center and acquatic pool, clinic, Covell’s dining room, deli and travel center.
The Raymond Roti Assisted Living Center was built in early 2005. Renovation of the Dow Wing self-care apartments into residential living apartments was completed in the spring of 2005. The first floor Dow wing renovation, completed in May of 2005, extends our Main Street from the Village Center with a Library, Game Room, First National Branch Bank, the Main Street Beauty Salon/Barber Shop and the Village Shoppe (convenience store). The renovation of the Rummel Wing was completed in September 2005 including remodeling the residential living studio apartments into one bedroom apartments on the the second and third floors and adding the Ruth Rossow Memory Care Unit on the first floor. This completes our current campus as a Continuing Care Retirement Community.
