Pastor Jon and Pastor Jean Schmidt
Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor
Pastor Jon is the son, grandson, nephew, and spouse of a pastor! He was born in New York City, and grew up near Buffalo NY and suburban Chicago. He graduated from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Pastor Jon has served congregations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northern Wisconsin since his ordination in 1986, most recently in Gladstone, MI, where he also served in a variety of synod and community ministries.
Pastor Jean grew up in suburban Chicago. She graduated from Valparaiso University (IN) with a degree in Home Economics/Secondary Education. She spent her first career as a Patient Relations Coordinator at Loyola University Medical Center. In 2009 Pastor Jean completed her studies at Wartburg Theological Seminary and was ordained. Her first call was serving a small congregation in Perkins, MI. She is currently is the Dean of the West Conference of the La Crosse Area Synod, and a member of the Synod Council. She serves on the Synod’s Evangelism and Outreach Committee, and Gundersen Health System’s Institutional Review Board.
Pastors Jon and Jean were married in 1999 and adopted their daughter, Rebecca, from Novosibirsk, Russia in 2002. The Schmidt family enjoys bike riding, cross country skiing, watching sports, listening to music, visiting small wineries (though Rebecca looks for grape juice!), traveling, and spending time as a family.
pastorjon@oursaviorswestsalem.org
pastorjean@oursaviorswestsalem.org
Director of Youth Ministry
Kristine Seeger
Administrative Assistant
Kris is a native of West Salem. She and her husband, Ron, have been married for over 30 years and have two daughters, Katie and Janna. Kris is an active member of the West Salem Presbyterian Church, where she serves as Head Deacon. Kris loves to spend time with her family and friends, and two family dogs, Sadie and Bailey, playing games, watching sports, riding bikes, canoeing, and listening to music. Kris has 18 years of banking experience and 15 years at Gundersen Health System in the Revenue Cycle Department.
Jill Iliff
Treasurer
Jill joined Our Savior’s in 2010. Before that she belonged to Wesley United Methodist Church in La Crosse where her father-in-law was pastor for 19 years.
Jill has a finance degree from WWTC & has been involved in accounting for over 20 years. She currently works for the Brenengen Autogroup in the accounting department and is also responsible for processing payroll for all the dealerships & Body Shop. Jill has been married to Eric for over 20 years. They have 4 children (Jennifer, Jacob, Josh & Jon), a cockapoo named Charlie. When Jill has time to herself she enjoys reading, bowling, going on walks, getting a pedicure and hanging out with the kids
treasurer@oursaviorswestsalem.org
Eric Sorenson
Choir Director
I have been a choral/general music teacher since 1976. I worked at WSHS from 1976 to 1986. I continued my teaching career at Lincoln MS in LaCrosse and retired from teaching in 2006. I still substitute teach, clinic choirs, and adjudicate music festivals. I have been a co-director and member of the LaCrosse Coulee Chordsmen Barbershop Chorus for three years. My wife Barbara and I have been married for 22 years and have three children. Megan is a junior at UWEC, Amy a sophomore at Winona State, and Andrew a sophomore at UW Green Bay. Barb’s children, my step children, Laurie and Brian round out our extended family. Laurie and husband Chris have a daughter Sarah. Brian and wife Kim have three girls, Ashley, Alexa, and Ava. If you don’t see me on the golf course you may see me on my Harley this summer. Directing the OS choir is the highlight of the church year for me. If you enjoy singing God’s praises there’s not a better church choir in the area than ours! COME JOIN US!
Linda Berg
Director of Music and Worship Musician
Linda and her husband Gary joined OSLC in 1988. As organist/pianist, she plays for services, accompanies the Senior Choir, plays piano in the S.O.S. Band, and accompanies special music as needed. Linda started playing piano in 1965 and started playing organ for church services at Northwest Prairie Lutheran Church at age 16. She graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a bachelor’s degree in Music Business. She is a member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and the American Guild of Organists. Her day job is at Davig Financial in Holmen, and Gary and Linda have two grown children, Kyle and Alyson.
Laurie Noelke
Handbell Choir Director and Assistant Worship Musician
Laurie is a native of La Crosse, and currently lives in West Salem. She has three children (Nick, Madeline, and Jack), and two “spoiled rotten” dogs! Laurie has a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music, a master’s degree in Servant Leadership, and taught for 12 years. She has always been very in church life. Among other things she has taught Sunday School, directed both children’s choir and handbell choir, served as director of Parish Education, and has been a worship musician for over 20 years. Most recently she was the director of music ministries at Halfway Creek Lutheran Church.
Josh Corning, Custodian