Commissioned Minister Work Anniversaries 2025

Lutheran School Principals, Educators, and Staff celebrating Milestone Anniversaries

We extend our heartfelt congratulations and deepest gratitude to the principals, educators, and staff who faithfully serve in Lutheran education ministry. Your unwavering commitment to providing Christ-centered education has shaped countless lives, nurturing both academic excellence and spiritual growth in generations of students.

This anniversary is not only a celebration of years passed, but a testimony to the enduring mission and vision of Lutheran education. Through your leadership, creativity, compassion, and resilience, you have created environments where faith and learning thrive together. Your tireless work behind the scenes and in the classrooms reflects a deep calling to serve with love, purpose, and grace.

We also take this moment to especially honor those who are retiring this year. Your dedication and service have is greatly appreciated in your schools and communities. Your years of ministry have made a difference, and your impact will continue to be felt in the hearts of students, families, and colleagues for years to come.

May God bless each of you for your service, and may this milestone inspire continued excellence and joy in the ministry. Congratulations!

5 – YEARS:

Lori Clayton, Good Shepherd, Collinsville
Deaconess Elizabeth Koester, St. Paul, Hamel
Deaconess Sarah Gaffney, St. Paul, Hamel
Jacob Mikkelson, Zion, Litchfield
Chase Langendorf, Metro Est Lutheran High School, Edwardsville

10 – YEARS:

Heather Hartman, St. John, Chester
Shanna Covarrubias, Metro East Lutheran High School, Edwardsville

15 – YEARS:

Larisa Redman, Zion, Belleville
Susan Singler, Zion, Bethalto
Lori Emde, Zion, Bethalto
Meghan Klaas, Good Shepherd, Collinsville
Julie Brown, Holy Cross, Collinsville
Lisa Ohnesorge, Trinity, Edwardsville
Janella Lingafelter, Trinity, Edwardsville

20 – YEARS:

Sara Mudd, Zion, Belleville
Jeanne Schultz, Zion, Bethalto
Ben Kasten, Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School, Centralia
Richard Hall, St. John, Chester
Lynn Sengele, Good Shepherd, Collinsville
Chris Lingel, Good Shepherd, Collinsville
Michele Stock, Holy Cross, Collinsville
Anthea Ybarra, Trinity, Edwardsville
Ken Krueger, Trinity, Edwardsville
Joseph Kirby, Immanuel, Okawville

25 – YEARS:

Keri Ziegler, Zion, Belleville
Tim Lorenz, Metro East Lutheran High School, Edwardsville
Lisa Sharp, Zion, Litchfield

30 – YEARS:

Amanda Densmore, Zion, Bethalto
Jon Giordano, Metro East Lutheran High School, Edwardsville
Pam Kleckner, Zion, Staunton

35 – YEARS:

Beth Lotz, Zion Belleville
Kris Krause, Good Shepherd, Collinsville

40 – YEARS:

Ruth Schultz, Trinity, Edwardsville
Diane Backs, Trinity St. John, Nashville

45 – YEARS:

Louise Giertz, Trinity, Edwardsville
Judy Stephens, St. John, Red Bud

Retiring:

Ed Bower, Immanuel, Okawville (December)
Sherry Brueck, Zion, Bethalto
Kim Keller, Zion, Bethalto
Earl Keller, Zion, Bethalto
Dave Klein, Trinity, Centralia
Beth Boester, Trinity, Hoffman
Sharon Porterfield, Metro East Lutheran High School, Edwardsville
Linda Polansky, Immanuel Preschool, Waterloo