How Lyngblomsten Began

In 1903, Anna Quale Fergstad gathered together several Norwegian women to form a literary club.  Near the end of that year, Mrs. Fergstad expressed her desire for the club to take up benevolent work of some sort.  Thinking of a vivid picture of the snug little huts along the coast of Norway that sheltered the wives of the fishermen who had lost their lives at sea, she realized that, in America, there were many older people without a family or friends to care for them.  They were in need of some shelter and care.  How splendid and useful an undertaking for their club to give at least a few of these deserving kinsfolk a home in which they could spend their last years. The idea took form on October 19, 1903 when the group formed an organization dedicated toward that goal. Mrs. Fergstad was chosen to be president. 

The group selected the name "Lyngblomsten" to commemorate the national flower of Norway.  The organization began to grow by establishing "branches" around the Upper Midwest.  By 1906, they had incorporated and began fund raising.  In 1911 they bought land midway between Minneapolis and St. Paul.  In 1912 they began construction of the first Lyngblomsten Home on Midway Parkway and Pascal Avenue.  The home opened in December of that year with 34 older Norwegians moving in.

Until 1961, Lyngblomsten was an independently operated facility managed by women under the sponsorship of Lyngblomsten branches.  In 1961, Lyngblomsten was reincorporated.  Its grounds and assets were gifted to what was then the St. Paul Conference of the American Lutheran Church.  Today, Lyngblomsten is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and partnered in ministry with Twin Cities-area Christian churches.  Lyngblomsten welcomes older adults of all faiths and nationalities.