Part time – after 45 years in dentistry. Dr. George Lundstrom closes a long-cherished private clinic in his community. Dr. Kurt Erickson and Dr. Seth Huiras recently purchased the clinic and Mr. Lundstrom is currently semi-retired.
Star Eagle Photo: Melanie Piltingsrud
melanie piltingsuld
staff writer
After more than 45 years serving the dental needs of Albert Lea residents and surrounding communities, Dr. George Lundstrom has decided it’s time to retire, at least part-time.
Lundstrom, a 1976 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, said: Lundstrom considers himself very lucky to continue practicing dentistry at age 76.
Lundstrom took a career interest test in 9th grade, which suggested she wanted to be a dentist, and the idea worked. “I like working with my hands,” he says Lundstrom.
According to Lundstrom, when he graduated from dentistry, his job was to work in a private practice. His other options were to work for another dentist or take over from one who retired. bottom. “I decided to start my own business and do my own thing,” said Landstrom. “[If] They will come to me and understand that things are different.
Honesty was a big factor in Lundstrom’s decision to open his own clinic. “If I was working for someone else, I might work for someone who wants to cut corners,” Lundstrom said. “I didn’t want to do that.” We wanted to do a good job and use quality materials.
Lundstrom opened a dental office across from the library in downtown Albert Lea. Eventually, he moved his practice location to 209 N. 9th Ave. in Albert Lea.
“I loved dental work,” says Lundstrom. “Running a business wasn’t always my job, but it allowed me to do dentistry the way I wanted to do it.”
As both a business owner and a dentist, Lundstrom has put in a lot of time. “There are times when we treat patients, and times when we do nights and weekends,” he says. “Like any business, there’s a public face and a business that people see. And there’s a backstage that people don’t see.”
Lundstrom compares running a dental practice to being a pastor. Many people think their pastor only works on Sunday mornings, but it may have taken him four to six hours just to prepare the sermon. And there will be a meeting with the parishioners that week.
“I have an appointment with the pastor on Monday morning. I’m going to talk to him about my funeral,” Lundstrom said.
“You never know,” said Lundstrom. “I have no children. My brother and sister live in the city. If I die next week, they won’t know what to do.”
Lundstrom lost his wife Madeleine 11 years ago to a 14-year battle with breast cancer. “We went to the doctor, and the doctor said it would take you 10 days to two weeks,” Lundstrom said. “Sometimes in life you’re faced with a fork in the road and you go to the left fork or the right fork and start walking one way and then stop and go back and take another.” You can’t go on You’re committed You never know what’s going to happen after the first corner That’s life Life doesn’t promise all good choices Sometimes it’s two bad things You have choices and sometimes you don’t know which one is worse.”
Landstrom misses his wife. “If God sent angels into this world, I think she was one of them,” he said.
The end came suddenly for Madeleine. Lundstrom had four days to arrange her funeral. “I just don’t want to put that burden on other people,” he said.
“Many patients have told me over the years that they don’t want me to retire,” Lundstrom said. But they understood that no one can keep working forever.”I think a lot of people were pretty happy with me,” Ludstrom said of his retirement announcement.
The old building on N 9th Ave., where the George Lundstrom Family & Cosmetic Dentistry has been for 25 years, is now vacant. Dr. Kurt Erickson and Dr. Seth Huiras purchased the clinic and Albert He moved to 146 West Clark Street, Lee. Here you can still find George Lundstrom’s part-time patients at Fountain Lake Family Dental.
“I like it,” Lundstrom said of the new situation.
Lundsrom plans to spend more time reading and exercising with her usual methodical approach once she’s worked out any outstanding issues as she completes her personal practice. He plans to read his book for an hour a day, and he plans to go to the YMCA three or more times a week to add strength training to his jogging routine and to keep his body flexible with any handy app he finds.
Another hobby that Lundstrom usually only finds time for on vacation is photography. “I have some pretty good pictures of animals, but it’s pretty rare because bandits don’t pose for you,” Lundstrom said. It’s like, the light may change slowly, but you can usually have your camera ready and take a good picture in a few minutes.”
Lundstrom doesn’t just sit there. He takes a Canon 70D and his Tamron 16-300 lens on his hiking trips to Colorado. He just returned from such a trip in his August and in the mountains he hiked 7-8 miles. “I always thought it was better to wear out than to rust,” he said. “If you don’t go out and move, you can’t enjoy life.”
