Below is information about the backgrounds and qualifications of Trinity staff members. Take time to learn a little more about the individuals who help make Trinity a success.
Office Staff
Pastor Dan Heuer
Position:
Director of Ministries
At Trinity Since:
2006
Degree & Education
Family:
Interests:
Why I like serving at Trinity:
E-mail:
Pastor Mike Meyer
Position:
Associate Pastor
At Trinity Since:
2001
Degree & Education
University of Nebraska - Lincoln (1992) - B.S.
Agricultural Sciences. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO (2006)
Family:
Married with one daughter & two sons.
Interests:
I love baseball (the Kansas City Royals are my team)
and Husker athletics. I play softball in the summer, was a corn
breeder for 8 years, before going into ministry, and enjoy fishing,
hunting, and farming.
Why I like serving at Trinity:
We can integrate the Christian faith at anytime,
everyday...leading people to Jesus, with the Spirit's help.
E-mail:
Jim Knoepfel
Position:
School Principal
At Trinity Since:
2003
Degree & Education:
Masters Degree in Educational Administration.
Hometown:
Grand Island, NE.
Interests:
Family Activities, Sports, Fellowship with friends
Why I like serving at Trinity:
I enjoy serving with dedicated, vibrant and
progressive people who are committed to boldly sharing the Gospel! I
also look forward to each day at Trinity because I get to experience
the sweetness and enthusiasm of children. Trinity is a great place to
grow for people of any age.
E-mail:
Julie Patchen
Position:
Co-Director of Music, Music educator Pre-School -
8th Grade; F.A.I.T.H. Choir, Band, Dance Team Sponsor, Adult Choir
At Trinity Since:
2000
Degree & Education:
Midland Lutheran College, K-12 Education,
Instrumental & Vocal.
Family:
Husband: Edwin III; children: Elise & Edwin IV
Why I like serving at Trinity:
I enjoy close relationships with teachers, students
and parents.
E-mail:
Greg Johnson
Position:
Co-Director of Music
At Trinity Since:
22 years of practical application
Comments:
I have been working with or responsible for choirs
here at Trinity for just over 20 years. I have also served as
Director of Music between Jim Kruger and Julie Patchen.
E-mail:
Lois Geisler
Position:
Parish Administrator
At Trinity Since:
1966
Degree & Education:
Family:
Widowed - four children & 8 grandchildren.
Interests:
I love to golf, quilt, travel and gardening.
Why I like serving at Trinity:
I have enjoyed the many years at Trinity working
with families of Trinity and Trinity staff.. The various roles of
telling people of Christ.
E-mail:
Erik Borgmeyer
Position:
Financial Administrator
At Trinity Since:
2001
Degree & Education:
University of NE - Lincoln, B.S. Marketing (Business
Administration).
Family:
Married (Carrie); two sons (Tyler, Logan).
Interests:
All sports.
Why I like serving at Trinity:
We are a loving Christian family that integrates the
faith in all we do. Great staff, great people.
E-mail:
Susie McDermott
Position:
School Secretary
At Trinity Since:
1987
Family:
Widowed, children: Jason and Melissa
Interests:
Sports and traveling.
Why I like serving at Trinity:
I like the caring, loving and Christian atmosphere
that we have here. We have unity among our staff and are very
supportive of one another.
E-mail:
Day School / Teaching Staff
Loren Wilshusen
Position:
8th grade teacher, P. E. grades 5-8, Computer grades
5-8, Religion, Language Arts, Speech & Art.
At Trinity Since:
1972
Degree & Education:
Concordia University - BS; University of Nebraska
Omaha - Masters in Physical Education.
Why I like serving at Trinity:
Lutheran schools help parents lay the foundation for
children and begin building lives with Christ as the center.
E-mail:
Tim Weinrich
Position:
7th grade teacher, Religion, Literature, Spelling,
Art, grades 5-8 Social Studies, grades 3-4 PE.
At Trinity Since:
1997 (teaching since 1979)
Degree & Education:
BS Concordia University, Seward, NE.
Why I like serving at Trinity:
The staff has a great working relationship.
The parental support in Lutheran education makes our job as teachers
easier and more enjoyable. Watching children grow in their faith
and sharing that faith with others, makes all of our relationships with
God stronger.
E-mail:
Stacey Meyer
Position:
6th grade homeroom teacher, departmentialized 5-8
science
At Trinity Since:
2001 (teaching since 1994)
Degree & Education:
B.S. - Education LTD
Family:
Husband - Mike, children - Courtney, Caleb &
Colton
Why I like serving at Trinity:
I enjoy integrating my faith into all of the classes
that I teach. I am also blessed to work with a supportive staff.
E-mail:
Lisa Knoepfel
Position:
5th Grade Teacher and upper grade language arts.
At Trinity Since:
2004 (teaching since 1986)
Degree & Education:
Bachelor of Science in Education / Lutheran Teachers
Diploma
Hometown:
Murray, Iowa
Family:
Jim (Husband), Jordan, Jared, Tyler
Why I like serving at Trinity:
Trinity has many great attributes. We are organized,
consistent and thorough. The staff is an active and supportive one,
where it is a pleasure to serve together. The love for one another and
for our students is evident everyday.
E-mail:
Barbarakay Royuk
Position:
4th grade teacher
At Trinity Since:
(teaching since 1976)
Degree & Education:
Concordia University - B.S. Education
Family:
Married (Wayne), two children
Interests:
Walking, reading and gardening.
Why I like serving at Trinity:
There is no greater joy than to share the love and
forgiveness of Jesus with students during any part of the day.
E-mail:
Kevin Janssen
Position:
3rd Grade Teacher
At Trinity Since:
2004
Degree & Education:
Bachelors of Science in Education from Concordia
University, Seward, NE.
Family:
Single
Interests:
Farming, Sports, Coaching
Why I like serving at Trinity:
To share the love of God to Children. The Staff has
a good relationship and is always willing to help.
E-mail:
Holly Strudthoff
Position:
2nd grade teacher
At Trinity Since:
(teaching since 1992)
Degree & Education:
Wayne State College; Concordia College, Colloquy
Degree.
Family:
Interests:
Why I like serving at Trinity:
It is a great blessing to be able to teach the love
of Christ to children everyday.
E-mail:
Mary Dahlhauser
Position:
1st grade teacher
At Trinity Since:
(teaching since 1975)
Degree & Education:
Concordia University, B.S.
Why I like serving at Trinity:
I like to think that God has given me an opportunity
to really make a difference in a child's spiritual walk through life.
E-mail:
Michele Synovec
Position:
Kindergarten teacher
At Trinity Since:
(teaching since 1993)
Degree & Education:
University of NE - Lincoln - Psych / Elem. Ed.,
Colloquy Degree, Concordia University
Why I like serving at Trinity:
Share the life of God and make each child feel
special - reach out to parents and children in Christian love.
E-mail:
Early Childhood Center Staff
Dawn Gilfry
Position:
Director of Trinity Early Childhood Center.
At Trinity Since:
2000
Degree & Education:
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, BA.
Family:
Husband Jon, Daughters Emerson, Adler
Interests:
I love to travel, I enjoy attending sporting events
like, football, and baseball. I also enjoy boating and swimming
in the summer.
Why I like serving at Trinity:
There is no greater joy than hearing a toddler' say,
"Jesus died on the cross for me."
E-mail:
Patrice Mendlik Vakiner
Position:
Assistant Director of Trinity Early Childhood
Center.
At Trinity Since:
2002
Degree & Education:
Natural Science Degree from Midland, Montessori -
6wks - 6 years of age teaching certificate
Family:
Myself, Marissa, Giannah, Miah
Interests:
Reading, gardening.
Why I like serving at Trinity:
Trinity has become my second family. The staff,
families, and children are the reason I continue to serve at this
church and school.
E-mail:
Patricia Bowman
Position:
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
At Trinity Since:
2000
Degree & Education:
University of Nebraska at Kearney (1988) - B.S. in
Elementary Ed., Minor in Early Childhood.
Why I like serving at Trinity:
I like the small class numbers and I feel a
Christian education is important. I am very blessed to be one of
the teachers who provide it.
E-mail:
Cheryl Weinrich
Position:
Pre-School Teacher - Tuesday & Thursday &
Volleyball Coach
At Trinity Since:
1997
Degree & Education:
Concordia, Seward, NE (1980) - B.S. in Elementary
Education, Concentration in Early Childhood.
Family:
Interests:
Why I like serving at Trinity:
I enjoy watching the children grow intellectually
and spiritually each day.
E-mail: