Meet Bob and Madge

by Linda Buchalo

If you have a family member at Misericordia, or if you’ve spent some time on campus, you most likely have heard of Bob and Madge. Maybe you don’t know their last name or exactly what they do, but you probably know them by sight, and you know they have something to do with music.

Bob and Madge Erlenbaugh are long-time volunteers at Misericordia, and wherever you see them, voices will be raised in song. This amazing duo started volunteering for Misericordia in 1983, collecting donations for Candy Days. They continued to help at Candy Days, but a few years later increased their volunteer efforts when one of their daughters worked at a special recreation summer camp that served 20 Misericordia residents. During that time, Bob was teaching guitar and leading a choir group. He brought his group to perform at Misericordia, eventually singing on the Children’s Stage at Family Fest. It was this activity that first brought Lou Manfredini to Misericordia; Lou’s children and Bob and Madge’s grandchildren were friends. Thank you, Bob and Madge, and thank you, Lou! Bob and Madge continued to help at the Fest in other ways, and Bob brought members of the volleyball team that he coached to help as well.

In 2002, Madge attended Mass at Misericordia in the hope of finding signers. Madge worked at the Northwest Learning Center and was studying Sign Language to aid in her job. At the time, Bob sang and played guitar at their parish, St. Timothy. On the day that they attended Mass, Sister Rosemary asked Bob to step in because Karin Walczak, the Misericordia guitarist and singer, was ill. Sadly, two weeks later, Karin passed away, but fortunately, Bob was able to fill her position. Six months later, Bob persuaded Sister Rosemary to let him organize a choir at Misericordia. Thus, the Heartzingers were born, and the rest is history.

Music brings joy to everyone, and the birth of the Heartzingers has brought much joy to all at Misericordia. The choir is two-fold, showcasing the talents of the residents through singing and signing. Bob continues to play guitar and work with the singers while Madge works with the signers. Sometimes, Madge writes lyrics to celebrate very special occasions, such as Sister Rosemary’s Golden Anniversary.

Under Bob and Madge’s direction, the choir provides music for weekend masses, funerals, various other liturgies, holiday brunches, special presentations, and community performances. They often travel to schools and nursing homes where they entertain the students or residents with songs. Bob and Madge have also hosted singalongs that include all residents. The singalongs originated in Marian Center and McGowan Home and eventually moved to Jean Marie Ryan Center to accommodate residents from every living area. During the pandemic, singalongs became a virtual activity and Bob and Madge anxiously await the time that they can again interact with the residents at in-person singalongs. Currently, Bob and Madge have gathered a small group to lead a monthly singalong at Quinlan Terrace where nine former choir members now reside. They are amazed that many of these former Heartzingers remember them, as well as many of the words and signs for the songs.

Through Bob and Madge, choir members have enjoyed some very special outings, including the tree-lighting ceremony at City Hall, performing with the National Irish Orchestra at Orchestra Hall, singing the National Anthem at Sox games and Loyola sporting events. Choir members have also met and sung with some very special guests at the annual CURE benefit. Through the generosity of the Axelrods, the Heartzingers have performed at CURE with James Taylor, Paul Simon, Eddie Vedder, Nils Lofgren, and Miguel Cervantes, a cast member of Hamilton.

Sometimes, these outings end with a trip for ice cream or pizza, funded by generous friends and the Evanston Catholic Women’s Club. Donations from these benefactors have also funded the purchase of choir robes and shirts and ties for the choir.

More recently, Bob and Madge have been coaching Special Olympics volleyball at Misericordia and plan to continue this activity.

Besides the work that they do volunteering and bringing music to Misericordia, Bob and Madge have become ambassadors for Mis, encouraging friends and family to become involved. They proudly wear their Mis apparel and boast about their Mis family. Many of their friends attend Mass at Mis, and they are honored that many friends who have died requested memorial donations to Misericordia Home. Bob and Madge present their friends with Misericordia gift cards for special occasions and encourage their friends to volunteer and stay for lunch.

Family members are also involved. They have three daughters and one son: Jamie, Marijo, Maggie, and Bob. And they have 16 grandchildren: 12 boys and 4 girls, aged 4–28. Their daughter is a member of the Misericordia Auxiliary and Madge claims that her two daughters who live locally help keep the gift shop in business. Family members attend various activities including the Auto Show, holiday luncheons and brunches, Family Fest, and Saturday Mass. Even Madge’s brother, fondly known as Uncle Father Danny Boy, steps in to say Mass when needed.

Outside of Misericordia, Bob and Madge have a very active lifestyle. They regularly play pickleball and swim daily, and are closely involved in the lives of their children and grandchildren.

When asked how they met, Madge shared the story of meeting Bob in a SPRED program (a religious education program for children with developmental disabilities) while both were students at Loyola. Bob was working with a group of children with special needs and Madge said it was love at first sight. She says it took a while, though, before she managed to get a date! They later started a SPRED group in their own parish, where Bob led the music and Madge was a catechist. Now, they look back on their time together, remembering that they met while working with children with disabilities and 57 years later, they are still happily working with the special needs population.

It feels appropriate to end this article with a quote from Madge: “We’ve sure learned to appreciate every day and extra especially our health - and our faith, our best gift. We have met amazing parents and families that have become treasured friends in these decades at Mis and we wouldn’t trade our lives or our days with anyone - feel very blessed and at home.”