Why should I move to a 55-plus community?

New home construction underway at Anna Estates, an active living community

A new development and option for retirement living is well underway at Anna Estates, located just north of Eisenach Village and Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community, Waverly.

Anna Estates offers 55-plus, independent living for people who are active, engaging and seeking a lifestyle of less work and more freedom. It offers a sense of community where other members seek a similar lifestyle.

There is high demand for independent living housing in the Waverly area. Eisenach Village, another 55-plus community, finished construction of all of its townhomes last year and currently has a waitlist. Eichhorn Haus, the independent living apartments on the Bartels main campus, is also full and has a waitlist.

Anna Estates began construction of its homes, duplexes and single-family homes, in 2023. One duplex and two single-homes are complete and another duplex and two single-family homes are currently in progress. Five of the first 17 homes to be built along Knight Ave. are already reserved or sold and there is a steady stream of interest, calls and tours in the homes.

Phase One of Anna Estates includes 47 homes, including seven single-family homes and 40 duplexes, and a future club house. There are five options of floor plans, which range from 1,675 sq. ft. to 1,900 sq. ft., and offer the ease and convenience of single-story living. The homes are architecturally appealing and thoughtfully designed with private courtyards, sun rooms, vaulted ceilings, 2 ½ stall attached garages and open floor plans. Every home will have a private raised planting bed in the back for flowers or vegetables.

Bartels prides itself in quality-built homes and has an on-site construction supervisor to oversee and coordinate all of the subcontractors. The 2×6 construction also features 50-year, high-impact shingles; tankless, on-demand water heaters; casement windows; and the mechanical room will have easy accessibility from the garage. Bartels staff members are available for the maintenance needs of each of the homes, both inside and out.

“Enjoy life maintenance-free and let us take care of your home, lawn and snow,” stated Chris Tjebkes, Active Living Analyst for Anna Estates and Eisenach Village. “At Anna Estates, you’re purchasing more than a home, you’re buying into a welcoming community and a continuum of care.”

The focus at Anna Estates is on freedom, the freedom from the everyday maintenance of owning a home, and the freedom to enjoy life and leisure. It also provides peace of mind knowing one is part of a continuing care retirement community. As a part of the Anna Estates community, members have priority admission to any of the eight levels of care provided by Bartels.

The continuum of care benefit offered to Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community residents may not be a tangible amenity one can drive by or tour the facility and see, but to those who live here and have taken advantage of the priority admission and smooth transition to a higher level of care, it is priceless.

Bartels offers eight levels of care on its beautiful and spacious campus including active living, independent living, at-home services, assisted living, assisted living memory care, skilled and rehabilitation, long-term nursing care and memory care. This enables any of Bartels’ residents to move to a higher level of care when needed, even if this is temporary for skilled care or rehabilitation following a hospital stay or surgery before returning to their home at Eisenach Village or Anna Estates (active living), apartment at Eichhorn Haus (independent living), Linden Place (assisted living) or Aspen Cottage (assisted living memory care). Even the clients of Bartels-at-Home appreciate this benefit as they transition from their home to one of the communities on the Bartels campus.

Bartels has been serving Waverly, Bremer County and the surrounding area for over 70 years and is proud to carry out its mission of enriching lives through quality services and Christian care.

Along with continuum of care services, Bartels offers a long list of other amenities including a full-time chaplaincy program, music therapy and leisure services, physical therapy services, transportation, as well as a 20-acre campus with a beautiful walking trail and gazebos, ice cream den, beauty shops and inviting family and activity gathering areas including the Fireside Room and Good Shepherd Chapel.

Bartels has also partnered with the community businesses, organizations, Wartburg College and local schools to provide services, programming, activities and enriching experiences. These partnerships are not limited to the main campus and provide added value to being a part of Eisenach Village and Anna Estates.

Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community is proud to carry out its vision: “Engaging hearts, transforming lives, and celebrating the strengths of seniors. Striving to build communities where individuals flourish in an environment where spirituality is nurtured and independence and joy are fostered.”

For more information on Anna Estates or Eisenach Village, please call Chris Tjebkes at 319-352-1258 or email ctjebkes@bartelscommunity.org. For information about Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community and its eight levels of care, please contact Angie Daniels, Marketing and Development Director, at 319-352-4540 or adaniels@bartelscommunity.org.