CCH OB nurse who cared for three generations retires

Being an obstetrics nurse just seemed like a natural fit for Bev Matejka. As the oldest of 10 children, Bev was used to lots of babies. In fact, her youngest brother and oldest son are only 10 months apart in age. Bev celebrated 35 years at Campbell County Health in June, and she’s preparing to move from Gillette, Wyoming back to her home state of Minnesota to be closer to her family.

Bev remembers being hired at CCH over the phone, and when she began working, the whole Campbell County Memorial Hospital Maternal Child unit occupied the space of the current Labor and Delivery area. What is now the C-section room was the ICU. Bev worked nights with Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Tracy Wasserburger, who was then a registered nurse.

“I remember that Bev never sat down during her shift,” says Tracy. “In addition to taking great care of her patients, she was always buzzing around and finding other things that needed to be done. I really admire her strong work ethic.”

Maternal Child Director Josie LeMaster agrees. “Bev has always come forward with suggestions on how to improve what we do. It’s been a pleasure to have her on my team.”

Bev worked straight nights her whole career at CCH because it was easier to manage with a family, and usually a little calmer than during the day. She says she struggled to adjust to 12-hour shifts, but it still took a long time for her to decide to retire at age 70, two months shy of her 71st birthday. Part of the reason: she knew she had to get stuff done at home and going to work kept her organized.

Several times when caring for a mom after delivery, the grandmothers have told Bev that they remembered her as their nurse when their own daughters were born, so Bev has cared for three generations of babies in Campbell County, Wyoming.

Bev says she will miss the people at CCH, and the opportunity to go camping in the mountains, but is looking forward to having seven of her siblings within a half-hour radius of her new home in New Ulm, Minn. She officially retires on August 29, and with a twinkle in her eye, says, “I might have to go back to work eventually.”

Thank you, Bev, for taking such great care of our patients. You will be missed.