“The Lord doesn’t waste any experience in our life, good or bad. He can take that and turn it into something that glorifies Him.”

These words, shared by the late Rev. Gil Maple with his wife, MaryAnn, throughout their 48 years of marriage, have been the compass guiding her life. For more than three decades, MaryAnn has poured her heart into Redeemer Health and Rehab Center. She has worn many hats, from receptionist to part-time chaplain, each role reflecting her deep commitment to the mission.

MaryAnn’s story is one of resilience, service, and faith—a story that continues to unfold as she builds a legacy that will bless Redeemer for generations to come.

A Life Called to Service

MaryAnn and Gil’s journey began on a Bible college campus. MaryAnn was there for her undergraduate degree, and Gil was a handsome seminary student. The couple fell in love and committed to a life of ministry together. Their journey took them from rural Wisconsin to Minnesota and California, then back to Minnesota.

“Every place we went, the Lord would say, ‘Your time here is done; I’ve got a new door for you,’” MaryAnn says.

In 1993, Redeemer became a cornerstone of their life when Gil was called to be its first chaplain. Together, the couple embraced the mission. MaryAnn started as a receptionist, but her role at Redeemer expanded as she threw herself into supporting residents and staff with boundless energy and a compassionate heart.

Tragedy Turned into Opportunity

Less than a year into their tenure, tragedy struck when Gil suffered a major stroke. Yet, what might have been a moment of defeat became an opportunity—they saw God turn their trials into something good.

“Gil said, ‘The Lord called me to this place and hasn’t taken the call from me,’” MaryAnn recalls.

Redeemer created a part-time role for Gil. He continued leading Bible studies and supporting residents. Eventually, in 2012, Gil became a resident at Redeemer. But even then, he kept working.

MaryAnn helped him prepare Bible studies, which became a shared dialogue with her leading Gil into his next points when needed.

“In some ways, I became an associate chaplain with him,” says MaryAnn. She was also working in the activities department at the time.

Loss and a Family Found

MaryAnn spent her lunch breaks with Gil and stayed with him late into the evening hours. They drew near to each other and the team rallied around them, offering a kind of care that transcends professional obligation.

When Gil passed away in 2017, the staff grieved with MaryAnn. “They entered into my sorrow because they had their own sorrow. It bound us together as family.”

While MaryAnn missed Gil desperately, she didn’t let that grief hold her back. She found comfort and joy in continuing to build the legacy they had started together.

Building a Legacy, One Generation at a Time

MaryAnn has loved every job she’s done at Redeemer, but one is particularly special to her. She played an instrumental role in starting Grandma’s House, a childcare center where intergenerational connections flourish.

As the first director, she envisioned a welcoming space where children of all ages could interact, much like they would at their grandma’s house—an idea that inspired the center’s name.

She loved watching the youngsters with the residents. Little things like singing “Happy Birthday” or just a wave from a child sparked the biggest smiles from residents.

After nine years, she knew the time had come to pass the torch. She entrusted Grandma’s House leadership to capable new hands and turned her attention to a new calling as the volunteer coordinator.

Pivoting to Part-Time Chaplain

As the volunteer program came to an end in 2020, Redeemer’s administrator had a new vision for MaryAnn. He asked her to become a part-time chaplain—to take over Gil’s old role.

She jumped at the opportunity.

“It’s been a privilege to be able to continue the things Gil had done here,” MaryAnn says.

She was especially honored when a resident’s family requested that she preside over their loved one’s funeral.

“I called the family and said, ‘I don’t know if you know my story—that I’m not ordained.’ They said, we don’t care. You loved my mom, and she loved you, so we want you to do it,’” MaryAnn says.

A fellow chaplain reviewed her sermon and told her, “Gil’s looking down and smiling.”

MaryAnn loves her job and finds joy even in the little things not in her job description, like helping residents with puzzles, handing out books and even getting earplugs for a resident to help her sleep.

Giving Beyond Her Lifetime

A few years ago, when MaryAnn was getting her affairs in order, she knew she wanted to include Redeemer in her estate plans. It wasn’t just a matter of financial support—it was about investing in the mission to which she and Gil had dedicated their lives. She wanted to support the work even after she was gone.

“We may never see the fruit of the money we give, but it does something to us to be able to give,” she says. “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

Her decision to include Redeemer in her estate plans is more than just a financial gift—it is a powerful expression of her unwavering commitment to the mission—to fostering fullness of life for Redeemer residents.

MaryAnn is ensuring that her legacy—and Gil’s— will continue to touch lives for generations to come.

We are deeply grateful for MaryAnn and all that she has given. Her story reminds us that every act of kindness and generosity can make a world of difference in residents’ lives.