Bethesda Home Inc. history

Due to a record enrollment of 660 mentally retarded patients, the Plenary Board of Directors of Bethesda Lutheran Home adopted a new record high operation budget of $1,688,514 for the 1965-66 fiscal year, according to the Rev.

Since the fall of 1967, Bethesda Lutheran Home has been working on a project to expand the opportunities of residents who, with extra training, have the potential to eventually live independently.

Miss Margaret Taras, R.N., who has served Bethesda Lutheran Home as director of nursing since July 16, 1968, recently resigned from her position.

The idea for camping on Bethesda property in Watertown began in 1969 when a farm was donated for recreational purposes.

1, 1975, credited the accomplishments achieved over the last 10 years to the support of the board of directors and the hard work performed by a dedicated staff.

The Country Home closed in 1979 when Bethesda Pleasant View was opened.

An open house in the home's newly remodeled areas and presentation of the 1980 Pool of Bethesda Award are also planned in conjunction with the event.

Welch, who has worked at Bethesda since August 1981, was chosen from a field of 18 strong candidates, all nominated by their peers, said Napolitano.

Taege is the author of three books, charter member of the Hawks Inn Historical Society, 1986 Lutheran Woman of the Year, and has spent 37 years in the profession of communications.

Responding to the aging needs of the community, Bethesda expanded again in 1987, adding Terrace Homes, three independent-living duplex units.

In 1992, Bethesda School began educating students on the 650-acre campus, providing a wide range of learning experiences rooted in George Whitefield’s founding mission.

Kaczmarski has served as Bethesda's Interim Executive Vice President since September, and has also served as Vice President of Legal Affairs since joining Bethesda in 1993.

For her ability to "walk a mile in someone else's shoes" and to "see things from resident, management and co-worker perspectives," residential aide Marion Welch, of Lowell, has been named 1994 Employee of the Year for Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc.

Following its caring tradition, Bethesda expanded its services in 1996, to include adult day services.

The 2001 Pool of Bethesda Award recipient, Alexander Napolitano, dedicated his career to the field of developmental disabilities services.

Bethesda saw the need for its services beyond Willmar, and opened Park View Village, a 20-unit, assisted-living facility in Olivia, Minnesota, in 2002.

12 29 Bethesda is planning a $7 million to $10 million construction project at its Watertown campus to be completed by 2004, the year the organization turns 100 years old.

The expansion comes a year after the two companies reached an agreement to merge through a letter of intent in September 2005.

Good Shepherd, which operates in four western states, has been a wholly controlled subsidiary of Bethesda since 2006.

Raabe, who was born in Watertown, died at the age of 94 in 2010 and is buried in Farmington.

Winter 2013-14 Messenger article

He has served as Bethesda’s Interim President and CEO since September 2014 following the retirement of Bethesda’s previous President and CEO, John E. Bauer, Ph.D.

In summer 2015, his estate donated another $1 million to Bethesda.

In late 2019, Bethesda embarked on a new project and broke ground on Bethesda North Pointe in New London, a 70-unit, senior lifestyle development.