Alum Links

Andrew Burk (‘18) married Marissa Steinhaus Apr 23. Both are Concordia (Mequon) grads. His degree is in criminal justice and she is planning grad school to become a Physician Assistant.

Josh Higgins (‘17) and Sarah Kjenstad are engaged to be married in July. Both just graduated from MLC. Josh received a call to Trinity, Belle Plaine, Minn., and Sarah for kindergarten in Bloomington, Minn.

Lillie Johnstone (‘17) and Matt Dirkse met at WLC and got engaged on Christmas morning. Wedding is July 16 in Cedar Grove, Wis. Matt is a teacher and Lillie is studying for a Masters in Professional Counseling. Dayne Kopfer (‘17) and Kaylie Solomon will marry in St. Joseph, Mich., June 4. Dayne taught 7-8 in Belle Plaine, Minn. this year and is now assigned to teach grade 4 at Divine Savior AcademyDelray Beach, Fla. Kaylie graduated from MLC this spring and assigned to teach kindergarten at Divine Savior.

Nora Stake (‘16) married Evan Starkel on Aug 28, 2021. They reside in Washington.

Samantha Huebner (‘15) and Caleb King were married on July 23, 2021 in Burnett, WI. They live in Denver, Colo.

Sydney (Cody ‘15) and Josh Schroeder welcomed baby girl, Lana Marie, July 4, 2021. Samantha Schultz (‘14) and Isaiah Butler (‘15) are engaged and planning a Sept ‘22 wedding. Sam graduated from Carroll University with a degree in Public Health. Isaiah graduated from WLC with a degree in Communications. �� : FW Austin Schultz (‘17)

Collin McBride (‘13) has been the Hitting/Strength & Conditioning Coach at College of Central Florida, in Ocala, Fla., for 3 years as well as co-owner of Thundercat Sports Academy in Lake Mills. This spring, Collin accepted a Minor League hitting coach position with the Texas Rangers. He is with the Single A Down East Wood Ducks in Kinston, NC.

Ryan (‘13) and Katelyn (Genz ‘12) Broedlow welcomed a baby girl on Dec 13, 2021. Bryton Rae joins big sister Brinley, 2. In Nov, Shelly (Reid ‘06) and Stefan Wolski were blessed with a 4th child, son Willis, who joins Landon 11, BJ 7, and Jordan 2.

After experiencing the tragic loss of two of their loved ones, Bethany (Schmidt ‘04) and Scott Weberpal created a nonprofit called Webs of Grief that provides grief counseling and healing experiences at no cost to bereaved individuals and families. This past November, they welcomed third son into the world, Dax Ethan.

Jocelyn (Sell ‘00) and Tim Mentuis were married on July 4, 2021 at their family-owned Edwin Brix Winery in Juneau, Wis.

David Thiele (‘88) passed into eternal life on Jan 23, 2022. Funeral services were held Jan 29 at St. Andrew, Middleton, Wis. Ruth (Ridge ‘86) and Tom Bolyn celebrated 25 years of marriage this past September. God bless the years ahead!

Rachel (Mickelson ‘86) Bauer entered eternal life on Dec 22, 2021 after a long battle with MS and other complications. Funeral services were held in Lake Zurich, Ill. Jeffrey Radloff (‘85) and his wife, Janel,celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this past September. Congratulations!

Timothy Adickes (‘78) entered eternal glory on Dec 27, 2021. A celebration of life was held surrounded by friends and family Feb 13.

Ken Staude (‘75) passed away on Mar 17. A celebration of life was held April 23 in Watertown.

Dawn (Zahn ‘75) Wuthrich passed away on Dec 19, 2021. Funeral services were held on Jan 5 in Janesville. Jim Kannenberg (‘69) entered eternal life on Jan 31. Funeral services were held Feb 6. at Good Shepherd, West Bend, Wis.

Forever Warrior hosts music students

Dustin Blumer ‘00 is pastor at home mission Amazing Love Lutheran in Frankfort, Ill., a southwestern suburb of Chicago (amazinglove.org). Pictured above with A Cappella Director Jim Buege, Dustin’s congregation was the first of four WELS church stops on the 2022 choir spring break tour, where they were blessed to share beautiful music and hear a humbling and encouraging message of law & gospel from Pastor Blumer. And that’s not all! Last summer’s band trip saw parades in St. Louis and Glen Ellyn, Ill. Between parades—a former Warrior tuba player himself—Dustin was “thrilled to be asked” to lead worship for the band in a special service just for them. Pastor Blumer (2nd from right, bottom pic) is with a bunch of Forever Warriors, including band chaperone Caleb Kasper ‘97 (leftmost) and Director Glen Pufahl ‘00, a slew of 2021 alum who were graduate marchers, and chaperones Laura (Zarnstorff ‘78) Loppnow, Michelle (Borchardt ‘87) Preskar and Casey Pufahl ‘96.