“I’m one of many senior citizens who fell through the cracks of the health care system,” said Helen Bauer, 63, of Spring Green, as she described her path leading to total hip replacement surgery May 9. “I was lucky that the 4PeteSake Committee decided to help out.”

      Bauer, who lives alone in a Shifflet’s Trailer Park, is one of six area residents named as 2008 recipients of 4PeteSake medical expense assistance. The 4PeteSake group, founded in 2005, has aided area people like Bauer through major fund-raising efforts culminating this year with a daylong series of events at North Park, Spring Green, on August 17.

      “I don’t know how we got so lucky to have an organization like that going in Spring Green,” Bauer said admiringly of the coalition of citizens who have devoted attention to 4PeteSake.

      This year, for the first time, the number of recipients has broadened to include everyone applying for assistance. “After hearing some of the other stories,” Bauer said, “I consider myself lucky.”

      The daughter of Harold and Cecilia Ruhland, Helen grew up on a farm east of Plain. She was part of the final class of graduates from Spring Green High School in 1962. She married and, as the wife of a submarine sailor, lived in many places in the U.S. before returning to the River Valley in 1977.

      Employed at Electri-Wire Corp. from 1977 until 1989, Bauer described herself as generally enjoying good health. She held other jobs in Middleton, Mazomanie, and Richland Center, and raised daughters Laura, 41, who lives in Florida, and Gina who tragically died of a stroke in 1990 at the age of 21, a memory that continues to cause great sadness for the mother.

      About 18 months ago, Bauer was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. After learning of the 4PeteSake effort, Bauer’s friends urged her to apply.

      “If it weren’t for them, I probably would have had to wait until I was 65 for the surgery, with horrendous pain,” she said. That’s the age of Medicare eligibility.

      “I was pretty doom and gloom,” she said. “I didn’t think I’d ever have the surgery. I spent most of the last winter housebound.”

      In addition for help with living expenses from 4PeteSake, Bauer praised her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Diana Kruse, who donated surgical services, which were performed at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital. She also credited the hospital’s Community Care Program for low income and unemployed patients. That program has provided Bauer with extensive assistance as well, in forms including hospitalization costs and therapy.

      “No pain,” Bauer answered with a smile when asked how she felt after her surgery. Her need to use a cane is diminishing day by day. And she has been told that she her job at Burnstad’s Pick ‘n Save in Richland Center will be waiting for her return in August, a date she feels able to keep given the successful surgery and recovery of her hip replacement.

      Aside from a predictable loss of some of her energy due to the medical procedures, Bauer said, “I’m feeling good.”

      The 2008 4PeteSake event will include a raffle for a tranquility canoe donated by David and Eileen Roeder, or a laptop computer, Xbox, digital camera or IPod. The drawing will be among events August 17. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20.

      The Home News will feature stories about other 4PeteSake recipients in coming weeks.