NIAGARA, Wis. — When I recently happened across an article titled “Swedish Death Cleaning,” I knew I had to save it for use in this column. Maybe it is not an unheard-of concept for many of you who have grown up in this area or who are of Swedish ancestry. But being of German heritage myself, and surrounded by others with either German or Polish backgrounds and customs, the phrase just jumped off the page at me.

My first thought was, “Wow! I have heard of really getting into the nitty gritty at this time of year, but cleaning yourself to death?” Obviously, that is not what it means so read on to learn about this custom.

Let me begin by saying that I have always been a firm believer in spring cleaning. It appeals to me both physically and emotionally. I love it when I am finished, and the house just sparkles from floor to ceiling, and winter’s “closed up feeling” is completely gone. Emotionally, I love the feeling of a fresh start.

This custom was not begun until we owned our own home here in Niagara; before then we lived in a series of rented apartments that we picked up daily due to small children running around. But in addition to living in our first full-sized house, we also burned wood for 15 years until natural gas lines made their way far enough north. And as many of you know, wood smoke leaves its mark on the walls and its smell in the air.

My husband always helped me. We set aside a series of weekends and tackled a room a day. We moved all furniture out of the room along with curtains and drapery. Then we rolled up our sleeves, filled our wash buckets with Mr. Clean — love that ammonia smell — and started scrubbing down the walls. I washed windows on the inside, and he washed them on the outside. We took pictures off the walls and washed them all as well. Anything sitting on the tops of the cupboards in the kitchen was run through the dishwasher. Along the way, reorganization was done and curtains were washed and rehung. Furniture was polished and moved back into place. Then it was on to the next room until the entire house was finished both upstairs and down.

We continued this practice out of habit — even after we had natural gas — until our sons were gone, and we just got too old. I continued to clean downstairs once a week myself until just recently. I now have a housecleaner come and do it for me; a treat I never thought I would allow myself, but the arthritis has won.

So, now you know why the article on Swedish death cleaning caught my eye. This practice was introduced to our country in 2018 by Margareta Magnussen in her bestselling book, “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.” The primary goal of this custom is to declutter your home and downsize personal possessions in advance of your own death. Essentially, you eliminate those items you no longer need or haven’t used in ages.

The more philosophical reason for this exercise is that, through the act of streamlining, you will find the joy in embracing a more minimalistic and less materialistic approach to life. With its deliberate focus on quality over quantity, this approach allows you to live the remainder of your life in a more meaningful manner.

There are tremendous personal emotional benefits to be had through this practice. Swedish Death Cleaning is not about dusting and mopping, but about a permanent form of organization that helps our everyday lives run more smoothly.

In the process, a profound emotional cleansing may also take place. The psychological upside of this practice, and of minimalism in general, is the realization that happiness is derived from relationships, memories, and experiences — not items.

When we rid ourselves of the “excess stuff” surrounding us, we can better identify those things that are really important to us and that truly bring us pleasure in life. We can also approach this exercise as a celebration of our lives. It can be quite delightful to go through things and remember their worth.

Swedish death cleaning also encompasses the practical considerations of how your death may impact friends and family members, who would otherwise be left with the chore of sorting through your things after you have departed this world. The additional burden of physically dealing with all your “stuff” in addition to coming to grips with the loss and grief your death has caused them is simply too much.

I know this from personal experience. My brother died suddenly and unexpectedly five years ago of an undiagnosed heart condition. He lived alone in a Kingsford apartment, and I learned of his death when two Niagara police officers knocked on my door one Monday morning to inform me. They had been informed of the event by my brother’s apartment manager, who had conducted a wellness check. I somehow had known all along that this was the way he would go, but I still experienced the loss and grief of his life cut short. The job of cleaning out his apartment fell to me — thankfully, my husband was there to help. It was not only the physical task of disposing of all of his flea market finds, but eventually I could no longer emotionally handle being there hour after hour. My husband finished up.

So, if this custom sounds like a good idea, here are some tips to get you started.

1. Begin with decluttering your closets. There is little emotional attachment to clothes that have not been worn in years or that no longer fit. It is an easy, straightforward task.

2. Take a large-to-small approach. Decide which bulky items, like furniture, are no longer worth keeping. Then work your way down to increasingly smaller items. Getting rid of a broken table or damaged chair can be an easy enough decision to make, and freeing up a large space will motivate you to keep going.

3. Tackle one room at a time, aiming for the most cluttered first. As you make your way through the biggest messes, you will be motivated to continue … and the path to the finish line will get easier as you go.

4. Let friends and family know what you are doing. Even though death is a difficult topic to address, it is natural and happens to everyone. Let them know where important papers are kept and what your final wishes are. We have done this with both our sons, and they appreciated it immensely. And going through actual items may bring back pleasant memories for everyone. Also, take this opportunity to offer them first pick of items before you give them away.

Now that you have some tips on “how” to do this project, let’s address the “when” of this exercise. At first you may think you do not need to worry about this until you are old. But trying to tackle a project like this when you are in your 80s may not be the best approach. It is specifically recommended that “you undertake this project with a timeline and conditions of your choosing when you have the energy” — and, I might add, the right frame of mind.

So, pick a time and get started. Do it in parts and allocate a set number of hours per week until you are finished. Think of it as a walk down memory lane… with a resulting clear path into the future.

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain the residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. they host a Memory Cafe — a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.

Sunday: Catholic Mass on TV, 10 a.m.; coloring, 2 p.m.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; small group in activities room, 11:30 a.m.; dice club, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Nails, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Movie in the dining room, 10 a.m.; crafts. 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Cup ball toss, 10 a.m.; bunny visit, 11 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; sing along, 11:30 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 10 a.m.; family time, 2 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on PBS, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; hangman, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; afternoon matinee with snacks, 2 p.m.

Monday: Memory books, 9:30; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; jokes and cocoa, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; book club, 9:30 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; faces and places, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Community breakfast, 8:15 a.m.; trivia teasers, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Christ United Church, 2 p.m.; current events, 2:30 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with Gayle, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; shopping trip, 1 p.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; volleyball, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: “Price Is Right”/Pictionary, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; games or movie, 1 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; UP Health activity, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Hope Church service, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; music with Bob Larson, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; March birthday party, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft or games, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee social and spelling bee, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; color your egg design, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Breakfast, 7 a.m.; rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Catch Phrase, 10 a.m.; music with Bob Larson, 2 p.m.; Stations Of The Cross, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; Hangman, 10:15 a.m.; afternoon ride, 1 p.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Lenten reflections, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; parachute, 10 a.m.; silly crafters — Easter, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Hedbanz, 10 a.m.; lunch outing to Culver’s, 11 a.m.; happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; where in the world, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages, daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; Cranium Crunches, 11 a.m.; manicure Monday, 1:45 p.m.; men’s group, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; who/what/where, bingo, 1:45 p.m.; rummy, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; resident council and food talk with Lacy, 10:45 a.m.; what’s in the bag, 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 1:45 p.m.; kings ‘n’ corner, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation, “Say Yes to the Dress,” Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; dog in the window, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; lunch outing to Wildwood Restaurant, 11 a.m.; charades, 11 a.m.; Jerry Beauchamp, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation, exercise group, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; Bible studies, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; activity packets.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Pulled pork sandwich, potato wedges, baked beans.

Wednesday: Chili, hard roll, fruited Jell-O.

Thursday: Pancakes, hash brown potatoes, applesauce, yogurt.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday at noon, salad bar at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Porcupine meatballs, mashed potatoes, corn, biscuit, pudding.

Tuesday: French onion pork chops, buttered noodles, biscuit.

Wednesday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, peas, dinner roll, Jell-O.

Thursday: Spaghetti with meatballs, green beans, garlic bread.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant Cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is serving meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. – call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Ground beef goulash, dinner roll.

Tuesday: French toast casserole, sausage links, fried potatoes.

Wednesday: Baked ziti, garlic bread.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA — independent from above menu) —

Monday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered pasta, carrots.

Wednesday: Hearty pork stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.

Thursday: Philly cheese steak sandwich with ground beef, baked fries, green beans.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered pasta, carrots.

Wednesday: Hearty pork stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.

Thursday: Philly cheese steak sandwich with ground beef, baked fries, green beans.

Friday: Cheese tortellini with meat sauce, Italian blend vegetables, garlic bread.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256.

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 3 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Cards — Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread, cake.

Tuesday: Sloppy Joe with bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries, Jell-O with fruit.

Wednesday: Hearty pork stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered pasta, carrots.

Wednesday: Hearty pork stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken and stuffing bake, broccoli, confetti bean salad, fruit.

Tuesday: Brunch — scrambled eggs, sausage or bacon, hash browns, pancake bites, fruit.

Wednesday: Porcupine meatballs, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, Kit Kat bars.

Thursday: Country ribs, parsley potatoes, sauerkraut, peas and carrots, creamsicle dessert.

Friday: Taco pasta salad, corn, fruit salad.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesday only. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals-On-Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Mushroom Swiss burger, hamburger bun, tater tots, corn, Mandarin oranges.

Tuesday: Aloha chicken over rice, zucchini, root vegetable blend, fruited pudding.

Wednesday: Turkey ala king over a biscuit, mashed potatoes with gravy, mixed vegetables, fresh fruit.

Thursday: Pasty, sweet potato cubes, green beans, applesauce.

Friday: Tuna noodle casserole, diced carrots, side salad, mixed fruit cup.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal served at 11:30 a.m. No night meals are available. Meals can be prepared for carryout.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Oven-fried fish and chips, baked beans, cauliflower.

Tuesday: Lemon chicken and rice, green beans, Mandarin oranges.

Wednesday: Hearty pork stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.

Thursday: Tater tot casserole, candied carrots, Jell-O with fruit, biscuit.

All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation for the meal is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo is played on most Wednesdays. Transportation to the meal site is available.

Tuesday: Polish sausage, sauerkraut, parsley potatoes, glazed carrots, wheat bread.

Wednesday: Pork steak and gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli, baked beans, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Shrimp Alfredo linguine, asparagus, side salad, spice fruit bake, whole wheat roll.

The center will have bingo on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:15 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or pick up the meal.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Lasagna. garlic bread, green beans, pears, apple crisp.

Tuesday: Chicken cordon bleu, baked potato, broccoli, tropical fruit blend and brownies.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, cream corn, applesauce, pudding.

Thursday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, pineapple, cake.

Birthdays and bingo on second Thursday.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — Birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available.

Tuesday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Tacos, corn salsa, rice pudding.

Thursday: Chili, hard roll, berry and granola yogurt parfait.

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered pasta, carrots.

Wednesday: Hearty pork stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.

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