Page 49 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2025 - Online Magazine

FAMILY FOCUS

Kristi’s husband, Stewart, has been with her every
step of this journey, and he recalls one of the most
rewarding aspects for him: “Never have I known
someone more suited for their role in life than Kristi.
There is no doubt this is what God put her here to do,
and to be able to witness that has been a real gift.”
Over the years, Heartland House has kept their own
hearts continuously filled, even as their dream has been
fulfilled.

After almost thirty years since the opening of Heartland
House, Kristi is anticipating a busy and fulfilling
retirement. Her passion for reading and literature
inspired her to self-publish two novels, and she is
currently working on her third! She also loves to travel
and, over the past few years, has been to Israel, India,
Vietnam, France, Italy, and Mexico.
“What I am most happy about in retirement, is that
Heartland House will stay in our family and we will
continue to provide the same level of care, with the
same traditions and values that make Heartland House
what it is.” Kristi smiles as she reflects on her oldest
daughter, Whitney, and longtime manager, Shawna,
taking over Heartland House.

Whitney is excited about all the future holds for her
the grandmother of long-time family friends. There and Shawna and their families, and it feels like her own
were no employees at the time, so Kristi did everything life has come full circle. On Whitney’s first day on the
herself, while also raising her three children. Slowly but job as Heartland House’s new administrator, she was
surely, new residents and employees began to arrive introduced to a resident. “She graciously welcomed me
at Heartland House, and for the first four years, Kristi and, as she turned to walk into her room, I asked, ‘Did
and her family lived inside the main house on one side you know, the room you are living in now used to be
of the building. The original facility had six resident my room?’”
rooms and three apartments. You can find Kristi's two books on Amazon:

Over the years, four more additions have been made White Gingerbread and Fairway Fellas by K.A. Townsen
to Heartland House. Once the family moved into their
own home (located next door and also built by Stewart),
the kid’s rooms were converted into resident rooms.
The other additions included two sets of apartments,
a beauty shop, an additional pantry area, a larger
dining area, and four more resident rooms in the main
building. Heartland House now has ten apartments,
ten inside rooms, and eleven employees.

Although Kristi and Stewart were unable to care for
their own grandparents, they had the privilege of
having both sets of their parents live at Heartland
House, as well as an aunt, an uncle, a cousin, and
many close friends along the way. Heartland House
has now served over 250 seniors from all over Texas
and beyond.

Lubbock Senior Link 49