The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

KEOSAUQUA, IOWA -- The Good Samaritan Society in Keosauqua celebrated its 40th anniversary Tuesday afternoon.

The whole community was invited to the nursing home to enjoy the more than 50 gallons of homemade ice cream, free barbeque and live music.

The facility was opened in October of 1972 and is part of the Evangelical Good Samaritan Society which started and is based out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

“And actually the society's birthday this year is 90 years so we opened here in Keosauqua 50 years after the society got started and it’s just an exciting time. We are the only nursing facility in the county,” said Anne Johnston, Good Samaritan Nursing Center Administrator.

Johnston said the Good Samaritan Society is the larges not-for-profit long-term care organization in the nation.

Staff said that the celebration on Tuesday was all about one thing.

“To have a good time with our residents, let them know how special they are and how much we cherish them. And all the people in the community who worked so hard 40 years ago, if they're still around, they'll be here today and we'll be recognizing them for their hard work,” said Johnston.