Category: Staff

Music has always been a big part of my life, from sitting with my dad in the bass section in the choir while my mother was directing to accompanying choir & playing organ in my home church.

We have been members of Gloria Dei since my husband, Jim, and I moved to Neenah in 1967. My family and I have all been active here in various ways. I’ve used my musical abilities by singing in the Adult Choir, directing Youth Choir, substitute as organist/pianist for services, accompanying choir and children’s programs, performing piano/organ duets.

I also have served on Worship Ministry, Stewardship Ministry, Church Council, as congregational president, confirmation teacher, Financial Secretary, and did quilting as long as body allowed it. Now I settle for Pilates sessions, which are very helpful. Women’s Bible study has been an enjoyable group for me through the years.

I taught piano lessons for about 25 years and also accompanied students at the high school for solo ensemble performances and worked part time in customer service for a label printing company for 15 years.

At present, we try to help out with Coffee House. We also help in areas of worship where we are comfortable and feel somewhat capable.

Outside of Gloria Dei I play cards with friends (who have met together for about 50 years). I also am accompanying at present for the Y-Nots chorus (from the Neenah Y). And enjoy spending time with friends and my family! We have two sons, one in Minneapolis area and one in Cedarburg, two wonderful daughters-in-law, and a grandson and granddaughter.

I appreciate the fellowship and support we have always felt from fellow members and staff here.

Singing has always been an important part of my life. I have fond memories of sitting around the kitchen table at family gatherings, singing and harmonizing for hours. When I get together with my siblings out of state, we still may start singing for part of the evening.

Our family joined Gloria Dei in 2000. I have been involved with Sunday School children through teaching and/or music since 1987. This year was my 25th Christmas program. At Gloria Dei, I am currently the Sunday School Singers and Junior Choir music director. Besides our Christmas programs, I am involved with Vacation Bible School, serve on our Education and Youth Board and sing in our adult choir.

My husband Gary and I have 2 children, Emily (Adam) in Denver, and Andy in Neenah along with 2 grandchildren. I love working in the Neenah School District. Besides spending time with grandchildren, I also like to read, go camping on our land, garden, and watch soccer games that Gary coaches.

I believe all people, no matter how, can make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

This is my 53rd year as a church musician. I began playing organ at 13 in a small Methodist church in Waterloo, WI where my father was choir director. I’ve held positions in various Christian denominations, and at one time was a Cantor at a Jewish Synagogue in Chicago. This is my 9th year as Minister of Music at Gloria Dei.

I’ve earned degrees in Sacred Music from Oberlin College, Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance from Lawrence University, and post graduate degrees in Choral Conducting and a Doctor if Music Arts from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

My ‘real’ job is Executive Vice President for Lake Country Foods in Oconomowoc, but you can probably find me accompanying in the Choral Department at Neenah High School.

My wife, Linda, and I have three children, Dean in Louisiana, Katie (Spencer), and Chris living in Neenah. We have a second home in the Ozark’s in northern Arkansas where I feed my golf passion.

July 2022, I retired from Kimberly-Clark after 38 years. I am currently a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Neenah. I have two children, Matt (Erin) in Neenah, WI and Rachel (Daniel) in Grafton, WI. I enjoy reading, crafting, and being outdoors.

I graduated from Moorhead, MN High School in 1990.

From there I attended Moorhead State University where I graduated in 1995.

Before entering seminary, I taught Physical Education and Health for three years in Lancaster, MN. Along with teaching I coached football and basketball.

I entered Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN in 1999. I Interned at Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Plover, WI in 2001-02.

Upon graduating from Luther Seminary in 2003 I began my first call at Saint Andrew Lutheran Church in Wausau, WI.

I have been serving Gloria Dei Lutheran Church since March 2008 along with my wife, Pastor Tabitha. We are a family of five, with two teenage children and a one-eyed rescue cat, named Handsome Jack! Along with being a dad I enjoy watching and playing sports, reading and spending time with family and friends.

I am honored to serve God as an ordained Pastor with the people of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and in the city of Neenah.
Born and raised in Green Bay, WI, I feel quite at home in this GB Packer loyal community! I grew up as a member of a Lutheran Church in downtown Green Bay, in a congregation that nurtured, loved and cared for me.

Although I was an unlikely person to be called forward into this ministry, I was called forward by the Holy Spirit, through others who recognized God’s call for me even before I did. So, changes were made, my route thru school amended from pursuing a degree in the sciences to an interdisciplinary Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from University of Green Bay.

Venturing into Minnesota Viking territory, I braved the time in St. Paul, Minnesota and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in 2004. I was gifted with a call to serve a two-point parish in central Wisconsin previously.

For me, church is a place full of the people of God who accept, love and support you. It’s a place where God promises to always meet you. Church is how and where God nurtures, challenges, and calls, not just pastors, but all people to the lives they were meant to live.
I invite you to this place, to experience it for yourself!