A green flyer for a Children's Halloween Event with cartoon pumpkins, stating the event is Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Ecumen North Branch.

TRICK-OR-TREATING AT ECUMEN NORTH BRANCH | Oct. 27th from 6-7pm

When: October 27th from 6-7pm
Where:
Ecumen North Branch 
Address: 5379 383rd St, North Branch, MN 55056

Children’s Halloween Event!

The senior residents at Ecumen North Branch are bringing the Halloween spirit to life with trick or treating for up to 500 kids age 10 and under. Enjoy an extra night to put on your costume before Halloween day! This FREE event is a wonderful way to connect generations and create lasting memories.

Please bring your own Bag or Bucket for your children’s candy.

For more information, contact Molly DeFrance: MollyDeFrance@ecumen.org | 651-237-3029

Hosted by Ecumen and the North Branch Lions at Ecumen North Branch.

The School District does not endorse or promote the message contained in this material. All costs for the creation & distribution of these materials have been paid for by the sponsoring organization or entity.

Thank you to our donors Anderson & Koch Ford and Les Schwab.



Justin Boldt

Ecumen North Branch Leader Named 10 Under 10 Awardee

Ecumen North Branch Leader Named 10 Under 10 Awardee

By Angie Andresen | April 28, 2026

Professional headshot of Justin BoldtSHOREVIEW, MN (April 28, 2026) — Ecumen is proud to announce that Justin Boldt, Executive Director at Ecumen North Branch, has been named one of the Minnesota State University Moorhead Foundation’s 2026 10 Under 10 Awardees. The prestigious award recognizes outstanding alumni under the age of 40 who demonstrate exceptional professional achievement, leadership, and commitment to community service within 10 years of graduation.

Boldt oversees healthcare operations at Ecumen North Branch, including assisted living, memory care, short-term transitional care, and long-term care. Since stepping into his leadership role, he has helped elevate both resident care and employee retention, while fostering a culture grounded in compassion, dignity, and engagement.

Under Boldt’s leadership, Ecumen North Branch was recognized in 2024 as a recipient of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Bronze Commitment to Quality Award, which honors organizations demonstrating continuous improvement and consistent performance. In 2025, the campus also earned Gold Credentialing through CARD Montessori Lifestyle and Awakenings Transformation, recognizing excellence in resident-centered care that promotes autonomy, respect, and meaningful engagement.

“Justin’s authentic leadership has created a team that is deeply grounded in the community and focused on delivering consistent, high-quality care,” said Blaine Gamst, Ecumen Senior Director, Operations. “His leadership style is based in the philosophy that people thrive when they are seen, valued, and supported, and that is reflected in a team that leads with empathy and compassion.”

A 2019 graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead with a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and management, Boldt remains actively connected to his alma mater. He serves on MSU Moorhead’s Community of Interest Board for the Health Services Administration and Master of Healthcare Administration programs, where he helps guide and support the development of future healthcare leaders.

Boldt’s career has been marked by early leadership responsibilities, continuous learning, and a strong commitment to giving back—both to the profession of healthcare and to the communities and people Ecumen serves.

Justin and the other award recipients were recognized at a reception at Barry Auditorium at the MSUM Christianson Alumni Center on April 23.

Join us in congratulating Justin on this outstanding achievement!

Want to join Justin’s team? Find job opportunities and apply on our website.


Click here to view more blog posts.


Ecumen North Branch Residents Help Students with Disabilities Learn Life Skills

For the past nine years, students with disabilities from the Life Work Center have been coming to Ecumen North Branch to socialize with residents -- with heartwarming results.

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Ecumen Century Club: Happy 100th Birthday Ethelyn “Sam” Thunstrom

Ecumen honors Ethelyn “Sam” Thunstrom, a resident of Ecumen North Branch, who is 100.

 

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Ecumen Century Club: Happy 105th Birthday Pearl Anderson

Ecumen honors Pearl Anderson, who is 105.

Born: April 14, 1911, in Boyd, Minn.

Residence: Ecumen North Branch.                      

Hobbies/Interests: Sewing, visiting and volunteering.

Family: Married to Philip, now deceased, for 58 years.  Two children, 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren.

Secrets of Longevity: No smoking or drinking, a healthy diet, staying active and God’s will.

Interesting Facts: Graduated from college with a degree in journalism, won a national sewing contest and won an “11 Who Care” outstanding volunteer award in 2004 from KARE-11 TV.

Congratulations on your 105th birthday, Pearl! Ecumen honors you. 


North Branch Reporter and Mayor Get a Dementia Simulation at Ecumen North Branch

Mike Bleninger, a reporter for The Post Review in North Branch, Minn., and North Branch Mayor Kristen Hagen-Kennedy got a firsthand sense of what it’s like to have dementia. 

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Ecumen Century Club: Happy 100th Birthday Lucille Ekstrand

Ecumen honors Lucille Ekstrand, a resident of Ecumen North Branch, who is 100.

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A Housekeeper at Ecumen North Branch Helps Rebuild a Remote Philippines Village

Halfway around the world in the tiny tropical Philippine barrio of Navitas on the island of Panay live about 150 elderly poor who have an angel looking out for them in North Branch, Minn.  Her name is Luz Pedersen. 

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Annette Garceau

Last Week's Top 5 Blog Posts - August 18

In case you missed out on the latest Changing Aging news, here are the blog posts our online visitors found most interesting last week - including: Dementia Care: It Doesn't Have To Be This Way, How I'm Preparing to Get Alzheimer's, Enjoying Art in Duluth, Oh That Beautiful Doll and more. Click here to read these great stories:

Dr. John Brose on Dementia Care: It Doesn't Have to be this Way

TED Talk Video: How I'm Preparing to Get Alzheimer's

The Pure Enjoyment of Art at Ecumen Lakeshore

Oh, That Beautiful Doll Returns to Ecumen North Branch

Ecumen Century Club: Happy 104th Birthday Grace Zemlin

To read more Changing Aging blog posts or to learn more about Ecumen, please visit ecumen.org!

 

 


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