Our History
1926 - Bethel Home for Aged opened in Newton, KS. It was the first home for older adults in Harvey County.
1961 - The first residents of Schowalter Villa moved into their duplexes in Hesston, KS.
1976 - Hickory Homes HUD housing opened on the Schowalter Villa campus.
1982 - Kidron Inc. HUD housing in North Newton, KS, opened and residents began to move in.
1987 - Bethel Home for Aged and Kidron Inc. came under one organization, Kidron Bethel Retirement Services. Kidron Inc. expanded to what is now known as Kidron Bethel Village.
1991 - Residents residing at Bethel Home for Aged moved the Bethel Health Care Centre to the Kidron Bethel Village campus.
1999 - James Krehbiel became President/CEO of Schowalter Villa. Mr. Krehbiel is now the President/CEO of Bluestem Communities.
2012 - Bluestem Communities was formed and became the parent organization of Kidron Bethel Village and Schowalter Villa as they merged.
2016 - Bluestem PACE opened offering all-inclusive healthcare and supportive services; helping seniors remain at home for as long as possible. Since its opening, the program has been serving participants 55 years and better in Harvey, Reno, McPherson, Marion, Rice and Saline counties, with its day center located in McPherson.
2018 - Private Home for Everyone addition and Mullet Place at Schowatler Villa opened on Schowalter Villa campus.
2023 - Live Forward campaign dedication at Kidron Bethel Village. Addition of Kidron Hall and Kaye Penner Education Center.