ELKHORN — Nancy Edmundson, an 89-year-old hospice patient at Lakeland Health Care Center, got the surprise of her life last Saturday when her family and friends threw her a special Packers-themed tailgate party—complete with a surprise visit from Green Bay Packers legend Gilbert Brown. 

“Every time we visit her, she talks about the Packers,” Baily Sperry, Nancy’s Agrace Hospice Care social worker said in a news release. “She is one of the biggest Packers fans. She loves football and she watches all the games. She told us she had never been to a Packers game because she always put her kids and others first. This surprise made her so happy and was a way to help her achieve one of her end-of-life goals.”

Edmundson’s loved ones put together the special day thanks to Agrace’s Wish Program for hospice patients and the generosity of the Green Bay Packers Foundation and Gilbert Brown.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Green Bay Packers Foundation and Gilbert Brown for making this moment so special for Nancy,” said Denise Johnson, Administrator, Lakeland Health Care Center. “Their kindness and generosity brought immense joy to Nancy, her family, and caregivers. It’s a beautiful reminder of the power of community and compassion.”