Trisha Areta Willers Kinnaman was born on March 21st 1966 at Wakefield Community Hospital to Larry and Carol Mortenson Willers. As a child, she was very active in 4-H and loved life on the farm. She graduated from Wakefield High School in 1984. She attended Doane College for three years where she was a member of Gamma Phi Iota Sorority. She graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1989, where she fulfilled her dream of becoming a physical therapist. Trisha was married to Randy Kinnaman on May 13, 1995, and together they had three beautiful children.

Trisha began working at Pender Community Hospital in July of 1996. She was the first physical therapist hired by the hospital. Prior to that, therapy work had been contracted by an outside source. As we all agree, great things come in small packages and she certainly filled that role. She offered therapy services full time and built a very thriving department including more staff, equipment and treatment rooms. In addition, Trisha, with physician support, began offering free Saturday morning sports clinics, which were held at the Pender clinic during football season. Besides fulfilling her duties as a physical therapist, she was active on many hospital and community committees.

During the majority of her 12 years at Pender Community Hospital, she was the sole physical therapist on staff. She worked closely with the doctors, physical therapist assistants, and therapy techs on site. She was always willing to share her knowledge and passion being a physical therapist by serving as a mentor for other therapy staff as well as area students aspiring to become physical therapists or assistants. Trisha spearheaded the hospital wellness group, and was involved in many new projects like the geriatric clinic and the hospital's wound care team.

Trisha was full of life and kept busy with all of her children and grandson's activities. She loved camping, running, boating, traveling, scrapbooking, making jewelry, and spending time with family and friends.

Trisha was well respected by all her colleagues, doctors, and patients. She will always be remembered for her kindness, compassion, infectious laugh, and love for others.