A Grand Home

By Three Pillars’ Resident Larry Nines

Three Pillars Senior Living Communities is Wisconsin’s top-rated continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Located in Dousman, Wisconsin, Three Pillars is the major charity supported by Wisconsin Masons. For over 100 years, Masons throughout the state have provided support for Three Pillars through financial and volunteer support. Masons have also been an important population of Three Pillars’ residents. Within this group of Masonic residents, a small, but important, segment is Past Grand Masters (PGM), former lead officers of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. These men take up to seven years to progress through a series of offices leading them to one year of leadership over all Masons in Wisconsin.

In the past 50 years, there have been several Past Grand Masters – including Richard Black, Norm Christiansen, and Russ Selbo – who have found Three Pillars to be a great place to call home. Currently, there are three PGMs residing at Three Pillars, each bringing with them leadership skills and a love for the campus and its mission. Prior to COVID, these men would meet regularly to discuss direction of services provided and off er advice and assistance to Three Pillars’ staff as requested.

MEET THE THREE PAST GRAND MASTERS WHO SHARE A LOVE OF MASONRY AND THREE PILLARS

STAN JAGOW

Stan Jagow and his wife Mary Ann have been residents of Village on the Square, Three Pillars’ independent living option, for over 10 years. Stan was born in Beaver Dam and Three Pillars was part of his life from the age of seven when his mother participated in a traveling kitchen band at Three Pillars. Stan served as Grand Master in 1994. Stan brings skills learned as a teacher/administrator and a church pastor to campus. Stan and Mary Ann enjoy their four children (Jeffrey, Jenie, Stanley and Stacy). Stan would like to restart the PGM advisory club at Three Pillars. He also would like to help restart an education program on Freemasonry using PGMs and other Masons to benefit residents, staff and others wanting to know more about the fraternity.

BOB MOORE

Bob and Bette Moore have been residents of Compass Point, the campus’ catered assisted living option, for over five years. Bob was born in Madison and lived as a boy in Soldiers Grove. Early interest in hunting and fishing carried on throughout his life. With two boys (Kevin and Kurt), three grandchildren and 52 years of marriage, family life is an important part of life for the Moores. Bob served as Grand Master in 1989. Bob developed his work skills as a radio broadcaster in LaCrosse and Richland Center, a sales representative for Merck Pharmaceuticals and as a real estate agent. Bob is proud of his long-term relationship with Three Pillars, having had a part in operations and oversight through committees and board membership covering all major building projects back to the construction of the health care center in 1981. Bette and Bob maintain an active lifestyle at Compass Point staying involved in many activities and events.

AL IDING

Al Iding was Grand Master in 1981 and was the youngest man to ever hold the office at the time. Born in Milwaukee, Al joined DeMolay as a boy and challenged others in the 103-pound wrestling weight as a member of the Washington High School team. Al enjoyed a 31-year career as a trust and estate lawyer with the firm Whyte Hirschboeck. Now a widower, Al was married to Anne for 61 years. He relishes the company of his four children (Kent, Brad, Krista, and Andrea), 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Following rehabilitation at Three Pillars for injuries suffered in a fall in 2022, Al maintains an active lifestyle including involvement in Masonic activities, social events, and card games of all kinds. Al wants everyone to know about the good nature of employees of all levels at Three Pillars and that his fellow residents are good people.

Three Pillars benefits daily from having these three men on its vibrant campus where they continue to positively influence their community as role models for others. Thank you, brothers Stan, Bob and Al.

Learn more about Three Pillars Senior Living Communities and its continuum of care options at ThreePillars.org or call 800.848.5306.