After nearly 14 years of service, Tim Samuelson is leaving St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Samuelson, who has served as the president of the senior care facility, is taking a job at Thrivent Financial in Albert Lea, selling insurance products.

Under Samuelson’s leadership,

St. John’s added Knutson Place apartments assisted living facilities, an Alzheimer’s unit, an adult care unit and many building and remodeling projects.

&uot;He has been very efficient,&uot; O.A. Rust, a resident of St. John’s, said. Rust said Samuelson had a great reputation with residents. &uot;He’s an ordinary guy. Some people in his position would talk to you from up here,&uot; he said, extending his hand over his head. &uot;But he is a common person, a conversationalist.&uot;

Friday afternoon, residents in the home gathered to say good-bye to Samuelson. As he walked around the room, he was gratefully and graciously greeted by residents, who showered him with positive

comments. He smiled and accepted their compliments with a modest, Scandinavian smile.

Samuelson, in a speech to the group, said he would miss the people he worked with, the home’s board, and, most of all, the residents.

He said the change won’t be easy, but he looks forward to his new career.

&uot;It’s sad, but I think the opportunity for change is always good,&uot; Samuelson said. &uot;Leadership change is always good, and I think Carol (Kvidt) has the ability to do well.&uot;

Kvidt, who has served as administrator, will take on Samuelson’s role on top of hers, making her the president/administrator.

She said she will miss Samuelson’s leadership.

&uot;I think the mission of St. John’s keeps residents at the center of everything we do,&uot; she said. &uot;Tim really encouraged that theme through his work and in developing our mission statement.&uot;

Samuelson’s associates and residents in St. John’s all felt he was great with residents.

&uot;He got over here (the resident living area) on a daily basis,&uot; Kathy Sheehan, Samuelson’s administrative assistant, said. &uot;He would always visit with residents.&uot;

&uot;I’m really going to miss Tim,&uot; Sheehan continued. &uot;He was really great to work with.&uot;

Samuelson said he will continue to work with the elderly through volunteering. He will open an office with Thrivent sometime this summer.