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Bethesda Senior Living Care is a non-profit organization, which has been caring for senior citizens in the Willmar and Twin Cities areas of Minnesota since its inception in 1897.

Originally built as a children's home out of a lutheran pastor's residential home, the center has expanded and adjusted its motivations to including assisted living care for senior citizens.[1] The impetus for the establishment of this children's home came from Norwegian-American Rev. Nils Heggerness. The reverend saw a need for this facility after witnessing an instance of child abuse. He then opened his own home to dependent children, and began raising funds for a more permanent facility. The Willmar site was acquired in 1905, having originally been one hundred and sixty-four acres of farmland. It was dedicated by Rev. John Mattson.[2]

Through the end of the American Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, domestic and international crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Bethesda Senior Living Care has persisted in its care and assistance for folks in need of its services.


Bethesda Center as it stood in 1949, five miles north of Willmar

Sky, Plant, Building, Window

Bethesda Center as of 2019

Property, Plant, Tree, Building

[1]The History of Bethesda care in Central Minnesota, Bethesda. Accessed January 19th, 2024. https://bethesdawillmar.com/about-bethesda/history/.

[2]"Betheda Children's Home" article, undated, P0683, Box 3, Folder 2, Children's Homes, Norw. American Encyclopedia, Norwegian-American Historical Association, naha.stolaf.edu.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

https://bethesdawillmar.com/about-bethesda/history/

https://bethesdawillmar.com/about-bethesda/history/