Our History
Grand JiVante was founded in 1936 when John and Elizabeth Rath donated their summer home to start a non-profit entity to care for older Presbyterians in Ackley. John and Elizabeth built the mansion in 1878 to accommodate their growing family of nine children but donated it in 1933 to start the Presbyterian Home of the Aged. The facility opened and was licensed for 10 beds but within two years, an addition was added and increased the capacity to 18. In 1958, the RCF part of the building (now AL) was opened and could accommodate 45 people. And for the first time in 22 years, people other than Presbyterians were allowed to stay in the facility. In 1967, the core of the nursing home was built which added 40 beds and in 1971, an additional 14 beds were added on the first floor. In 1989, further expansion occurred with the additional of 24 more nursing home beds known today and in 1995, the Genesis Place apartments were built.
