The home was built for the towns first Doctor Oscar Urstad in 1903. Oscar was born in 1870 in Norway. At the age of 18 the ambitious young man left his native land in search of opportunity for America and landed in New York. He made his way to Mitchell County Iowa and worked on a farm for 2 years. He then moved to Mount Horeb WI and secured a clerical position at a general store, but at the end of 2 years he returned to Iowa obtaining work at a drug store in Lake Mills This job led him to his interest in the science of medicine.

In 1895 he married Nettie Lee in Lake Mills Iowa. In 1896 Oscar began his studies to fit himself for a professional career. He attended the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapolis Ind. From which he graduated in 1900.

Oscar and Nettie moved to Kiester MN in 1900 where he stablished his practice. Oscar and Nettie had four children, Marie, Esther, Herman and Walter. He was well like in the community and was deeply interested in civic affairs. He served as Mayor of Kiester for several years and worked to give the town a progressive and business-like image. In 1913 he had the Urstad hospital built on Main Street. The building has since been turned into a residence and is just north of the Kee Kafe. He was a self-made man who recognized the fact that advancement goes hand in hand with energy, enterprise and determination. He was recognized by his fellow practitioners and general public as a prominent physician.

In 1920 Dr Urstad sold his practice and moved to Minneapolis and continued to practice medicine. In 1921 Dr Urstasd was a victim of the worldwide Encephalitis Lethargica epidemic. It was suggested, after his recovery, that he reside in a more moderate climate, so he and the family moved to East Stanwood WA where he established a medical practice. Oscar died in 1927 of heart failure. His obituary read “Dr. Urstad was a man of good character, loved by all. Above all he was a sincere and earnest Christian. His faith and trust were at the foundation of that strong and unselfish character.”

The home was sold to Immanuel Lutheran Church the former Scandinavian Lutheran Church in 1925 and became the church parsonage. The home was well used as a place for small weddings as well as Sunday school classes when the Church on State St was cramped for room.

When the new Our Saviors Lutheran Church was built along with a new parsonage in 1957 the home was sold to John and Gladyce Pierson. John was the Manager of the Kiester Co-op Elevator Co.

In 1961 the Pierson’s sold the home to Clarence and Elvina Engebretson. In the 1970’s and 80’s Elvina rented out rooms in the home. She also had turned the Parlor on the main floor into a bedroom and used it as a room to help nurse people back to health after a hospital stay. The current owners of the Urstad House B&B, Alan and Hope Bauman, remember the home when it was a board and care house. Alan’s grandmother Olga Greenfield was cared for in the house by Elvina after a hospital stay in the 1970’s. Hope rented a room in 1984 when she returned from the College for the summer. She was dating Alan at the time and couldn’t wait to show him her room in the grand old house. In Elvina’s later years she resided in Albert Lea and rented out the home. It was rented to some young gentlemen and had a reputation as a “party house”.

In 1992 Elvina sold the home to Florence Knight. Florence, an elderly woman, lived in the home with her daughter and son in law as well as grandson and his wife. After Florence’s passing in the late 90’s the home was abandoned. Alan and Hope the current owners, purchased the home from the estate in 2002. The home had been unoccupied for several years and was in disarray. The Urstad House B&B was reborn out of this history. More on that later.