History
Bethany Home Retirement Center… just that… a retirement home established in 1923.
The dream of a man, Reverend Adoph Krebs, the pastor of Presbyterian Church, Galena, Ill., who saw a need for a Christian home for older people in the community. He shared this dream with the Rev. William C. Laube, who, after Rev. Krebs’ death, championed this cause and secured the support of the Synod of the West of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.
Bethany Home began in the beautiful Christian Loetscher home on Lincoln Avenue through the generous gift of his family on November 1, 1923. Dr. Wm. C. Laube served as the first president of the newly established Board of Trustees and continued to serve on the board until his death in 1944.
Numerous additions and renovations have taken place over the years to accommodate the need for increased occupancy and also to update living areas. One such undertaking took place in 1975 when the construction of a three million-dollar addition took place doubling the homes occupancy. This consisted of the construction of the second floor nursing facility, which is licensed by the State of Iowa, and the 1976 apartment settings found on the first and third floors. The Loetscher home and the addition in 1958 continued to provide single room residential settings.
Bethany Home continues today to provide services and living areas for both active retirees and those needing nursing care. In 2003, another major construction project resulted in 24 new apartment settings and 17 new nursing facility rooms that allowed us to become the first nursing facility in Dubuque to offer all private rooms to our residents.
In September 2011, we opened our latest addition to Bethany Home. This three story structure features a fifteen stall garage on the first floor, a Memory Care Unit and dedicated activity room, and a spacious exercise area complete with a 1/10th mile walking track and exercise machines monitored by security cameras for safety.
Bethany Home provides comfortable retirement living for all of our residents with services including meals, housekeeping, laundry services, maintenance, numerous lounge areas, a library, planned activities, and transportation for appointments. Staff is on duty 24/7.
Bethany Home is a non-profit (501(c)3) organization which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., welcoming all faiths. The Board of Directors consists of area clergy and business men and women who complement and enhance the services we offer at Bethany Home. Their expertise, care, and dedication, as well as our staff, lead Bethany Home into the future.
We thank the Dubuque Community and all who remember Bethany Home to help us achieve and continue our mission with your gifts and bequests.
Quality Living. Exceptional Care.