Happy 111th birthday, Lyngblomsten!

February 17, 2017

It's hard to believe, but Lyngblomsten celebrates its 111th birthday as an organization today!

In 1902, a group of Norwegian women began meeting as a literary society.  After about a year, their discussion turned toward doing charity work together instead of discussing books.  In 1903, one of the society members, Anna Quale Fergstad, put this ambition into motion, proposing they build a Christian home for the elderly who had no one to care for them.  The women heartily accepted the challenge.

As the idea gained momentum, the women incorporated their organization on February 17, 1906, choosing the name Lyngblomsten to honor their home country of Norway, where at that time, the lyng was the national flower.  Six years later, the society realized its dream, when on November 5, 1912, the Lyngblomsten Home for the Aged opened its doors to its first 30 residents.

Since then, Lyngblomsten has grown to include a 237-bed care center, two apartments for older adults with assisted living services available, and a variety of community-based services organized around 2nd Half with Lyngblomsten life enrichment centers in St. Paul and White Bear Lake.

To all the residents, tenants, participants, family members, caregivers, employees, volunteers, donors, congregations, and other community supporters who have been part of the Lyngblomsten family at any point—thank you!  We wouldn't have made it this far without your untiring support and countless prayers!

Want to learn more about our unique history?  Visit the History page on our website.