About us

About Linnea Residential

Linnea Residential Home (LRHI) provides holistic support including physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing to people of all abilities.

Linnea Residential Home Inc. Core Values:

Support – activities provided to or on behalf of a person in the areas of personal care and assistance and property maintenance in order to allow a person to live in the least restrictive environment.

Advocacy – Action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.

Attitude –  Positive attitudes can remain hopeful and see the best even in difficult situations.

Integrity – Being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values

These core values creates the foundation of Linnea Residential Home Inc.  We believe building positive relationships is essential to success.

View Our Homes

History of Linnea Residential Home Inc.

The Linnea Residence was founded in 1979 by John & Isabel Kallin and Sumner & Joan Johnson who had the dream of establishing an independent living situation for their adult daughters, Marilyn and Roxanne. They wished to have their daughters close to home, close to family as well as friends that loved and cared for them while providing an independent, safe and comfortable living opportunity.

Their vision for the Linnea Residential Home Inc was rooted in the belief that “disability is a natural part of the human experience that does not diminish the right of individuals with developmental disabilities to live independently, to exert control and choice over their own lives, and to fully participate in and contribute to their communities through full integration and inclusion in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of United States society” (Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1963).

The name, Linnea Residential Home Inc, was chosen in memory of Marilyn Kallin’s aunt Linnea, who had provided much love and support to her niece during her growing up years. It was the perfect name to fit into the Swedish culture of the Chisago Lakes area.

Why we do what we do at Linnea

Linnea Residential Home (LRHI) provides holistic support including physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing to people of all abilities.

Since 1979 LRHI has provided support to individuals and their families both as an ICF and more recently as a CRS under the HCBS License.

Linnea Residential Home is grounded in the belief that all people have a right to expect to live in a healthy and safe environment with a variety of healthy meal options as well as involvement in a rich community with diverse cultural experiences.

Individuals living in our homes have a right to expect professional and caring staff that will provide support and encouragement to accomplish the dreams and life choices of each individual..

Linnea Residential Home Inc. Board Members

Susan Wehrenberg

Director

Joan Johnson

Joan Johnson

Director

Diane McCord

Diane McCord

Co-Chair

Annette Casey Linnea Residential Home Board Member

Annette Casey

Secretary

Brenda Kaeding

Brenda Kaeding

C0-Chair

Pam Harris

Pam Harris

Treasurer

 

Lorraine Skordahl

Director

Barb Buckley

Barb Buckley

Executive Director

Our Homes

Locating housing is a very important part of caring for individuals with special needs. Choosing a living situation must be carefully considered as the place becomes that individuals home. Linnea is always there to help with any needed transition.

Linnea manages three homes. Our supervised living homes are as unique as the individuals living there. Our goal is to provide just enough support to ensure they can live comfortably on their own. Our three homes are:

  1. Chisago City
  2. Pioneer House
  3. Taylors Falls

Service Area includes:

  • Chisago County
    • Taylors Falls, MN
    • Chisago City
    • Lindstrom
    • Center City

Kirsten lives with her dog Joy and cat Buddy and LOVES TO KNIT! “I LOVE people. I love to learn their story, learn about their dreams, and meet them where they are. I love to work hard to help them meet or surpass their goals. I love problem solving and thinking outside the box. I love helping people become the best version of themselves.”

Kirsten Skoglund has had a career in Social Work, working in various community-based services in Southern Minnesota. She has worked in Human Resources as both an HR Manager and Benefits Manager providing service to internal customers at various companies including Target Corporation.

In 2009 she started a successful retail shop selling yarn and gifts with her sister. The shop was open for 10 years. She taught many different classes while working within the fiber community. She was responsible for all aspects of her business, marketing, staffing and finances.

Most recently she has become an independent consultant in the areas of Retail Management and Human Resources.

Sue currently is the board chair of Linnea Residential Home Inc.

Sue has an extensive background of providing excellent quality of care for persons with disabilities for the last 40 years. Sue has been involved with direct care, created the Chisago Lakes People First organization, and served 6 years on the Minnesota Governor’s Council of Developmental Disabilities, ensuring the best services are given to disabled individuals in Minnesota. Sue has also served as the program director of Chisago County Semi-Independent Living Services (SILS).

Sue is a fierce advocate for individuals with disabilities and has served on the Board of Directors at Linnea for 17 years.

It has been my pleasure to serve on the Linnea board for over 40 years. When I joined the Board, my initial intention was to prove myself with the means to be part of our daughter’s transition from living at home for 22 years to moving into a residential home. I was not sure what to expect for our youngest moving away from home, but over these years, I have had the privilege to know, with certainty, that she has been well cared for, and lives in a home that is a “home away from home.”

She is now 56 years old, and while I know she has made the transition successfully, I continue to serve on the Linnea Board. I have held different positions on the board over the years, as well as on different committees. I have seen changes, developments and improvements, but what has always remained constant is the care, dedication and understanding each resident receives from those who operate and work for Linnea Residential Home. Our daughter has been blessed to have Linnea as her second home.

Diane is the sister of a special lady, Pam. Her family became part of Linnea in 1998 when Pam moved to the house on Old Towne Road. In the Fall of 2017 Diane joined the Board of Directors to share ideas to carry on the mission of why Linnea was started many years ago. Diane has been a valuable addition to the Board of Directors, offering the family perspective when needed.

Diane would like to ensure that everyone living at Linnea is to have “Joy”. Joy is happiness, it is constant and it inspires creativity.

Annette has been a speech therapist since 1987. She has worked with school aged children, mentally/physically handicapped adults and is currently working in transitional/long term care. My husband and I also do foster care for mentally handicap adults in our home and have been doing so for over 20 years.

I joined the Linnea board to help better the lives of the residents of Linnea, which I do believe we are doing one step at a time.

Brenda has been a board member at Linnea since 2015. Her 26-year career as a work experience coordinator for special needs students, the responsibility as guardian for her mentally handicapped brother who resided in a group home and 25-year involvement in her family business brings unique perspectives to the issues facing Linnea.

“I want Linnea Residential Home to maintain services with a high degree of integrity. Supporting residents with opportunities and activities at a level they choose is important. Providing a warm, loving, safe, peaceful and fun atmosphere for those who call Linnea “home” is a must.”

Pam has been a Minnesota attorney representing small businesses including nonprofits and companies serving people with disabilities since 1978. She has served on nonprofit boards of directors continuously since 1986 including, for example, Courage Center and ServeMinnesota. Over her whole career Pam has enjoyed teaching employment law topics to small business managers, including (for 15 years) a course at the University of St. Thomas Center for Nonprofit Management. She is honored to serve on the Board of Linnea Residential Home.

I have been involved in the world of disability advocacy since my son Josh was born almost 21 years ago. I have worked with the Arc of MN in a Quality Assurance role and the Chisago Lakes Achievement Center in Case Management. I am an active member and volunteer with Special Olympics MN, Pacer, and The Down Syndrome Association of MN.

I am active in the Chisago Lakes Area as a Board Member of the Chisago Lakes Chamber and Branch Administrator for Edward Jones.

My husband, Dean and twin sons, Josh and Jacob reside in Chisago City.

Barb Joined Linnea in the Spring of 2019. She has worked in disability services for 20 years. She spent many of those years providing direct support to individuals with disabilities in addition to providing leadership in advocating for the rights of each individual.

Barb’s vision for Linnea is to continue to advocate for individuals and to provide progressive programming that will enable each individual to reach their potential. She believes community and family involvement are essential in the success of individuals and providers. She is grounded in Linnea’s Core values of providing Support, thru a positive Attitude, advocating for individuals dreams and goals, and recognizing that living life with integrity is essential for success.