History

The original idea for what would become Bethel Lutheran Home was first discussed at a district meeting of Lutheran congregations within the South Dakota District of the American Lutheran Church. Twenty-five congregations in east central South Dakota came together to form the non-profit corporation in 1959. Bethel Lutheran Home was built in 1961 and opened as a 58-bed nursing home on March 30, 1962.

Since that time, Bethel Lutheran Home has grown and expanded its ministry to include:

• the addition of 12 two-bedroom congregate apartments (Bethel Apartments) in 1990
• obtaining full nursing home Medicare certification in 1994
• the opening of a 16-bed assisted living center (Bethel Suites) in 1997
• offering an adult day care program(New Hope Day Service) in 1997
• the expansion into providing additional housing (Bethel Cottage Homes) in the form of twin homes built within the Bethel Community in 2008
• in 2009, a second Cottage Home duplex was built (Units C and D) and the New Hope Childcare Center was built.
• in 2011, groundbreaking was held for a million-dollar expansion and renovation project onto the original nursing home, which added new flooring to resident rooms, resident bathrooms, and new flooring in each of the three resident neighborhoods.  A new wireless nurse call system was installed.  The front entry and nursing station was remodeled.  A new beauty salon and craft room was built, and these new rooms are located next to the Activity/Chapel area.  A new link was built which connects the nursing home to the assisted living center.  The overall project was concluded in 2012.
• in 2014, four new apartments and eight attached garages were built onto the original Bethel Apartments complex.
• in 2015, the New Hope Childcare Center was closed in June 30 of that year.
• in 2016, remodeling of the vacant childcare center building began and two, larger patio homes were built in what is referred to as "Patio Home - East" and the first residents moved in on December, 2016.  

Since 1962, Bethel Lutheran Home has been known for providing quality, Christian care to all who are served, and maintaining high occupancy in each of the programs operated within the Bethel Community.