About Us

Culture Statement

We are dedicated to providing the best home for our present and future residents by safeguarding and preserving the dignity of the residents and their families.

Excellence is our standard, and we will make every effort to always provide the tools and support our staff need to do their jobs.

We will persist on being better tomorrow and every day thereafter. Leading the way to a culture of excellence, we will work boldly to become a world-class organization.

Mission Statement

Knife River Care Center is dedicated to the preservation of dignity and respect to those we serve and employ. With great compassion, we strive to make excellence our standard.

Vision Statement

To provide family-centered compassionate care in a therapeutic and safe environment, where the goal is quality of life.

Employee Value Proposition

Our employees, an energetic team committed to honesty, trust, and kindness, have a passion for compassion.

Board of Directors

Knife River Care Center is governed by a Board of Directors, which consists of seven individuals from the region. The directors are elected by the membership. The board monitors the management of the business and property of the nursing home.

• President – Darrold Bertsch
• Vice President – Bruce Mohl
• Secretary – Pam Fitzgerald
• Gary Emter
• Leanne Stiefel
• Vern Laning
• Mary Jo Larson

History of Knife River Care Center

Knife River Care Center (KRCC) has a long-standing history of providing nursing and long-term care to Beulah and the surrounding communities of Mercer County. Its roots extend well beyond the present-day facility, beginning more than six decades ago in 1962.

The Beulah Community Nursing Home (BCNH) was incorporated in 1962 with 22 beds to provide skilled nursing care to older adults in the community. As the need for skilled care continued to grow, an additional 20 beds were added in 1964.

In 1981, BCNH merged with the Rev. Jochim Memorial Home, a basic care facility that had served the area since 1948. The merger was undertaken in response to the increasing need for a broader range of care services within the community. It resulted in a significant expansion, creating a 90-bed facility capable of providing basic, intermediate, and skilled care under one roof.

An additional remodel was completed in 1990, after which the facility offered 85 skilled nursing beds. In 1996, the Beulah Community Nursing Home was renamed Knife River Care Center, a name chosen to better reflect the facility's broader service area and its role within the surrounding communities.

The name change also represented a shift in philosophy. Rather than referring to itself simply as a “nursing home,” the organization increasingly embraced the term “care center,” reflecting its commitment to creating a more personal, welcoming, and homelike environment for residents. This philosophy ultimately helped shape the vision for the Knife River Care Center facility that exists today.

A New Beginning

On April 21, 2006, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a completely new and redesigned Knife River Care Center. Construction continued throughout 2006 and 2007, with the new facility completed in late 2007. On January 26, 2008, residents and staff made the transition from the former facility into the new building.

The new facility was designed with 85 skilled nursing beds and was situated overlooking the plains north of Beulah. Its design incorporated three separate residential wings, a coffee bar, community-oriented spaces, and areas dedicated to rehabilitation services. These features reflected KRCC's continued commitment to creating a social, comfortable, and homelike environment for residents. In October 2008, a slight change was made to add an additional room and bringing the new facility to 86 beds.

One of the dedicated wings, Whispering Winds, was specifically designed to serve residents living with Alzheimer's disease and other special needs, with 24 dedicated beds. The other two wings, Harvest Lane and Shady Lane, feature a majority of private rooms and some semi-private rooms, with select rooms offering private showers.

A Community-Centered Tradition

One of the defining characteristics of Knife River Care Center throughout its history has been its strong connection to the community. That commitment extends beyond the walls of the facility and can be seen in the many projects made possible through the generosity and involvement of residents' families, community organizations, volunteers, and local donors.

In 2011, a family-led project was initiated to expand the facility's outdoor area and make it more accessible and enjoyable for residents and their loved ones. The proposed project included wheelchair-accessible pathways, seating areas, a picnic area, a gazebo, and an outdoor grilling area. The family provided the initial seed money to launch the project and contributed substantial volunteer labor.

The vision for the project went far beyond simply creating an attractive outdoor space. It was intended to provide a place where residents, families, friends, and visitors could gather, spend time together, and enjoy the outdoors. The gazebo became part of a larger memorial garden and outdoor gathering area that would serve the KRCC community for years to come.

In November 2011, the family met with the KRCC Foundation to present the proposal for the outdoor memorial project. Following approval, work began with the support of the Beulah Lions Club, generous community donations, and the continued efforts of the family who helped initiate the project. By 2015, the Memorial Garden Project was completed, creating a beautiful and meaningful space for residents, families, staff, and visitors to enjoy.

Continuing to Improve for the Future

As the needs of residents and the community have evolved, Knife River Care Center has continued to invest in improvements to the facility. In 2016, thanks to the generous support of Herb and Lorena Zuern, the Zuern Education Center and staff break room were built. The Zuern Education Center has become an integral part of our organization, providing valuable opportunities to educate and train our staff members in-house as Certified Nursing Assistants and Certified Medication Aides. The addition of the staff break room has also provided our employees with a comfortable and spacious area to relax and recharge.

In recent years, numerous indoor and outdoor upgrades have been completed, including updated windows, siding, shingles, call-light system, additional outdoor gazebo space, security cameras, and more. In 2026, KRCC began an extensive interior remodeling project focused on improving the comfort, appearance, and overall experience of residents. The facility has been repainted, and resident room furniture is being replaced. As part of these improvements, each resident room will include a new recliner and television. Additional plans include updating flooring throughout the facility and replacing furniture in common areas.

Looking Toward the Future

For more than 60 years, Knife River Care Center has continued to grow and adapt while remaining grounded in the same purpose that began with the Beulah Community Nursing Home in 1962: providing compassionate, quality care to the people of Beulah and the surrounding communities.

From its beginnings as a 22-bed nursing home to the modern care center it is today, KRCC's history has been shaped by the dedication of its staff, the trust of residents and their families, and the unwavering support of the community. Each expansion, renovation, and community project has reflected a commitment to creating an environment where residents can receive quality care while also feeling comfortable, valued, and at home.

As Knife River Care Center continues to make improvements and look toward the future, it remains committed to honoring its history while building upon it. The facility's greatest strength continues to be its people and its connection to the community it has proudly served for generations.