Submitted Photo Participating in the presentation of a contribution from American State Bank & Trust to Bethel Lutheran Nursing and Rehabilitation Center are, from left, Pat Sogard, ASB board chairman; Tammy Sogard, ASB board member; Joel Babcock, director of Bethel Lutheran Foundation; Belinda Moen, administrator and CEO of the Bethel center; and Dave Hanson, ASB president and CEO. They are standing in front of the new site for Bethel, set to open in Williston Square in 2028.

WILLISTON – American State Bank & Trust Company (ASB) has announced a commitment to contribute $500,000 toward the construction of Bethel Lutheran Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s new senior care facility, set to open in 2028.

The new facility will be located in Williston Square, with a groundbreaking ceremony expected to be held in the spring of 2026.

The contribution will pave the way for a comprehensive center that prioritizes the health, well-being and dignity of senior community members, according to information from the bank. To meet the rising demand for senior healthcare, the new facility will feature cutting-edge medical technology, spacious living accommodations, and a wide range of recreational and therapeutic activities designed to enrich the lives of its residents.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation,” Joel Babcock, director of Bethel Lutheran Foundation, said. “It represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide compassionate care and support to our aging population, ensuring they live their golden years with comfort and respect.”

Pat and Tammy Sogard, representing the Davidson-Sogard family’s majority ownership of ASB, said the family’s 120-year-old community bank has been a community partner as well as a financial institution. They added that supporting this project is a natural extension of their values and a meaningful way to give back to those who built the communities the bank serves.

Through the “A New Place to Call Home” campaign, Bethel will be able to allocate fewer resources to the maintenance of its buildings and redirect more of their resources toward enhancing the services it provides to residents and the community.

“This extraordinary gift represents more than just financial support. It’s a true investment in the dignity, comfort and quality of life of our seniors. We are humbled by ASB’s generosity and proud to partner with an institution that values the heart of our community,” said Belinda Moen, administrator and CEO of Bethel.