(This story has been updated with the latest information.)
SHEBOYGAN – Eliza Prange’s will revealed a bequest of $150,000 to be used for the establishment and maintenance of a second hospital in Sheboygan, according to a 1953 Sheboygan Press article provided by the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center.
At the time of Prange’s death in 1928, St. Nicholas Hospital on Superior Avenue was the city’s lone hospital. The bequest was the seed that would grow into what is today known as Aurora Medical Center – Sheboygan County.
Conditions tied to Prange’s gift
Prange, who was part of the Prange’s department store family, had in her will a stipulation contingent upon the payment to a local bank of $100,000 in cash by those interested in establishing another hospital as their contribution within 10 years after her death. If those criteria were met, the $150,000 would be released for the project.
A tragic accident cuts Eliza Prange’s life short
Prange, 65, died Aug. 12, 1928, when her parked car rolled over her at Wildwood Cemetery as she visited the gravesite of her late brother, H.C. Prange.
An eyewitness, Adolph Knabe, saw the accident and summoned help. She was transported by car to St. Nicholas Hospital. She would die nine hours later.
A community mourns a generous benefactor
For her funeral, the Press reported, “The Trinity Lutheran Church was filled almost to capacity during the service, and a long funeral cortege followed the remains to the cemetery.”
The officiant, the Rev. C.P. Schultz said the unfortunate accident that resulted in her death brought a useful and eventful life to a sudden end, causing a loss that would be keenly felt by many widows and orphans who have benefited through her noble and liberal generosity.
Organizing to build a new hospital
A non-profit Sheboygan Hospital Association, Inc., filed articles of corporation with the secretary of state in Madison for a 100-bed hospital to cost about $550,000.
Early directors were E.W. Schultz, president; Otto Jung, vice president; Otto Heineske, secretary; Otto Kaufmann, treasurer; along with H. Carl Prange, G.F. Honold, Charles Lutze, Peter Horn, William Jung, Martin Hoppert and Otto Mueller.
Funds raised and construction begins
In 1930, an additional $250,000 was raised in seven days in an appeal to residents. The name Sheboygan Memorial Hospital was chosen and ground was broken in July 1931.
A cornerstone filled with history
According to a Sheboygan Press clipping from 1931, when the cornerstone was laid for Sheboygan Memorial Hospital, a box was placed in the cornerstone that contained the following: “Copies of The Sheboygan Press and Sheboygan Amerika containing accounts of the close of the campaign and the laying of the cornerstone, the constitution and by-laws of the Sheboygan Memorial Hospital association, a list of the directors, officers, members, architect and assistant and workers, the will of the late Miss Eliza Prange, a history of the hospital association to date written by Hugo Kaems, a history of the city of Sheboygan as published by the Association of Commerce, the speeches of the various speakers delivered at the cornerstone ceremony, and coins donated by various persons interested in the project.”
That cornerstone was recovered, but hasn’t been opened yet, according to officials at the Sheboygan County Museum.
Hospital opens and quickly expands
The hospital would open its doors in January 1933.
It didn’t take long for additions to be added onto the building. In 1941, a new nursery was opened for newborn infants. State-of-the art equipment was said to be purchased for the nursery in a 1953 Press article.
Chapel, oxygen system and modern upgrades
Later, an interdenominational chapel was gifted by the Sheboygan County Ministerial Association and was financed through private donations. A chaplain was assigned to help those who had no church affiliation.
In 1950, an oxygen-piping system was installed with outlets in each room, making the administering of oxygen to patients much less cumbersome.
Kohler Pavilion boosts capacity and services
The Kohler Pavilion — a three-story, 44-foot-by-170-foot wing — opened in October 1951. It boosted the hospital capacity by 60% and provided a neuro-psychiatric department, making Sheboygan one of only four cities in the state with facilities of this type.
The Pavilion also included a physiotherapy room and an occupational therapy room.
Community spaces and volunteer support
Soon thereafter, the Ivy Room Coffee Shop was opened featuring light lunches and snacks. The nurses at the hospital also maintained a small gift shop in the Ivy Room, with proceeds to provide nursing scholarships.
According to the 1950 Press article, three hospital societies — the Eliza Prange Circle, the Sheboygan Memorial Guild and the Lutheran Women’s Council — were the drivers of progress at the hospital.
Joining the Aurora network
In 1992, according to Aurora, Sheboygan Memorial Hospital became a member of the Aurora network of hospitals.
A new hospital and a new chapter
In 2017, Aurora announced plans to build a new $324 million facility on Kohler village land along Interstate 43. The site is between Acuity’s headquarters building and UW-Sheboygan.
Aurora had originally planned to open the facility in 2021. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the facility didn’t open until June 2022. When it did open, there were long lines of people waiting to see the new facility before it went into service.
When the big day came to press the new hospital into service, dozens of ambulances took part in transporting patients from the old Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center on North Avenue to the new facility.
After the Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center became a blank slate of land, the next phase for that parcel has begun as single-family homes are being constructed to build a new Sheboygan neighborhood.
Gary C. Klein has written Throwback Thursdays since 2017, covering dozens of businesses, people, sports and events from the early days of the area to recent history. He has been a photographer for the Press since 1993. He can be reached at 920-453-5149 or gklein@gannett.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @leicaman99. Check out his other work at www.sheboyganpress.com/staff/4383066002/gary-c-klein/.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan hospital traces roots to Eliza Prange and a cemetery tragedy
Reporting by Gary C. Klein, Sheboygan Press / Sheboygan Press
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