Proctor Journal

Construction on Proctor’s second assisted living facility is underway. Golden Oaks Advanced Assisted Living will house 30 residents in the $1.5 million building on three acres at Boundary Avenue and Waterview Drive.

Owner Laura Lokken, R.N., said they quietly broke ground for the 13,000 square-foot, single-level building in October. Sixty people are already on a waiting list.

The residents will live in six pods with five people in each. The apartment-style living quarters are set in natural earth tones.

Proctor Golden Oaks 45-member staff will care for people with Alzheimer, dementia, diabetes, Parkinson’s and other health issues.

Golden Oaks amenities include a commercial kitchen, common areas and homelike apartment living. Services will include 24-hour professional and customized care, personal services, activities, and staff supervision by registered nurses in a home like environment.

Lokken has over 14 years in the health care field and has trained in critical care nursing, geriatric care and skin disorders. She is proud to say, “Golden Oaks is not your traditional nursing place. It provides a high level of care.”

The Minnesota Health and Housing Association has recognized that exceptional care. They will honor Golden Oaks Administrator, Charles Miller, R.N. with their Senior Housing Leadership Award on Fri., Feb. 8.

While taking care of her quadriplegic mother, Lokken realized that attentive care made a positive difference in her mother’s life. “I didn’t like the care she was getting,” she said. “I decided to become a nurse and change the world.”

Lokken decided to extend that care to other elderly people whose only other choice would be to enter a nursing home. “I never thought I would get in elderly care, but I’m having a ball working with them,” she stated. “I just love it.”

Jeff Gilbert, who owned the property in Proctor, approached Lokken. “Jeff said he thought he had a great site, and I valued his opinion. It is an excellent location.”

Lokken has owned Golden Oaks in Hermantown for over four years. She is the president of the Hermantown Chamber of Commerce. Lokken has two boys who both work at Golden Oaks when not attending UMD. Last year, she married her high school friend Paul.

As Chamber president Lokken said she has a keen interest in what is happening in the area. “I see the economic development of the area as fundamental to our growth. It is important to create jobs. Without growth our kids would not have a place to come back to live and work, and that is important to me,” she stated.