Our Pastors
Here is a history of the Pastors that have served our parish.
Pastors of St. John
Rev. Julius Zaetschky 1906 – 1911
Pastor Zaetschky was the first officially called pastor to serve this congregation. Prior to his arrival however, a number of pastors from other points had been providing services for the many pioneer settlers of the area. Pastor Zaetschky helped the members of St John to gather and organize. With land donated by Theodor Mueller, a parsonage and stable were built. The church was consecrated in the summer of 1907. After almost 5 years, Pastor Zaetschky was called by his archbishop to serve in northern Alberta.
Rev. Peter Friedrich Petersen 1911 – 1914
Pastor Peterson accepted his call to serve Strasbourg in June of 1911. Unfortunately, Pastor Peterson’s ministry in this congregation was ended because of ill health and he and his family moved to answer a call to Elberta, Baldwin County, Alabama.
Rev. Theo Lassen 1914 – 1920
Pastor Lassen was called from Happyland to serve the congregation beginning in September of 1914. Under Pastor Lassen’s ministry, the congregation cleared a building debt of $800, which was owed to the Ohio Synod from building the original church buildings and founded the Ladies’ Aid with a goal of embellishing the church over two years. In 1918, the Altar, paraments, runner for the floor, and palms for the church were purchased. In 1919, 2 gas lamps were purchased. And in 1920, a bible for the Altar and the pulpit were purchased. Pastor Lassen gave his farewell sermon in December of 1920. His final entry in the church records reads: “Some parishioners are glad to see the Pastor depart.”
Rev. C.H. Kohlmeier 1921 – 1930
Pastor Kohlmeier was called from Morse, SK in January of 1921. He arrived in April. The Ladies’ Aid was started anew, and in 1922 purchased 4 benches for the church. The Ladies’ Aid oversaw the installation of a cistern in 1928, as well as additions to the parsonage being built and painted. Pastor Kohlmeier’s farewell sermon was in May of 1930. He and his family moved to answer a call to Jansen, SK.
Rev. C. Schmidt 1930 – 1936
Pastor Schmidt served St John through the worst years of the Depression for the Strasbourg Area. Because of the general poverty of all members, the Ladies Aid were quite busy in making sure that all families were cared for, including Pastor Schmidt and his family. Despite the struggles every family was facing, the congregation maintained active programs. It was during these years that the first Luther League was organized and enjoyed its peak membership.
Rev. John Mohr 1937 – 1939
Pastor Mohr supplied a brief, but active ministry at St John before answering a call to a sister congregation in Duval. Here too, people and pastor were severely tested by the scorching sun and wailing winds of the latter Depression years.
Rev. C.J. Daeschel 1939 – 1946
Pastor Daeschel strived to make the dream of a new and more adequate church property a reality. Together with a number of the members who had previously had such hopes, serious efforts were made to raise funds for a Building program. Unfortunately, the plans did not materialize. Pastor Daeschel left to accept a call to Duval, SK. Pastor Daeschel was the guest speaker at St John’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Rev. A. Ewald 1947 – 1949
Pastor Ewald kept the fires of faith burning among us and encouraged the congregation to proceed with its building plans. But this time, it was evident that the establishment of a new and larger church building was a dire necessity to meet the needs of a growing congregation. However, the fire did not burn brightly enough, and hope was again dimmed.
Pastoral Vacancy 1949 – 1952
In the period from 1949-1952, the congregation suffered its first real vacancy. A number of pastors from the city of Regina, together with several students from the Seminary in Saskatoon supplied fairly regular pastoral services. In spite of the vacancy however, ministry continued and active programs were maintained.
Rev. Robert A. Herrboldt 1952 – 1955
Pastor Herrboldt graduated from Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa. In his lifetime, he served American Lutheran Church parishes in Canada, Kansas and Nebraska. Pastor Herrboldt died in 2009 in Sun City, Arizona. Pastor Herrboldt was no doubt one of the busiest pastors in our midst. During his ministry with our congregation, the Building Program, long in the making, finally got underway. Labouring faithfully together, the congregation of St John raised most of the necessary funds to build its beautiful new church and parsonage next door. During Pastor Herrboldt’s time, St John also saw the beginning of its first junior choir.
Rev. David Schaefer 1955 – 1958
David Schaefer was born in Rhein, in October 1919 to devout Christian parents, the ninth of eleven children. As a young man he worked as a farmhand, in lumber camps in Ontario, and in the nickel mine in Sudbury, Ontario. He then served in the infantry of the Canadian Army for four years and landed on the beaches of Normandy during the invasion. He was wounded and became a prisoner of war. In 1941 before he went overseas, he married his sweetheart Kay Weber and had a child (Kathy). After the war, he returned to school with a grade 7 education and earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity. In 1952 he was ordained into the holy ministry. David and Kay Schaefer served the Hodgeville parish which had three congregations, in German and English for five years. For the next three years they served St. John
Strasbourg, and St. John Silton-Craven. Their years in Strasbourg were rather turbulent. Their daughter Kathy died of Cystic Fibrosis in 1956, his mother died three weeks later and his missionary brother George passed away in 1958. During this time, they adopted a baby boy whom they named David Jonathan. In 1959, Pastor Schaefer accepted a call to Saskatoon to develop a new congregation. After three weeks of “pounding the pavement” to survey the people for interest. Three weeks later, worship services began in the auditorium of the Lutheran Seminary. In January 1962, the congregation was officially organized and the church building was begun, completed in June of the same year. By 1963, Pastor Schaefer had made approximately 29000 door to door visits, and 490 confirmed members at the new Redeemer Lutheran Church. He was nearing the point of burnout, and so he and Kay accepted the call to St. Peter Lutheran Church in Medicine Hat and Christ Lutheran Church in Irvine Alberta. This was a Germans and English bilingual parish, where they spent six years. At this time their daughter Theresa left home to attend Luther College in Regina for two years, and their son George took a job in the flour mill. In January 1969, pastor Schaefer received a call to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Penticton BC and St. John in Oliver BC, also a bilingual congregation. At the end of their six years in Penticton, Pastor Schaefer had to resign due to debilitating arthritis. After a brief, difficult time on disability, Pastor Schaefer began a program, studying towards a certificate in Institutional Chaplaincy. This included working in a large mental hospital doing visitation and group work. He then was assigned to work in the Vancouver General Hospital in the Women’s ward. From there, he worked for three months in a minimum security prison. Upon completion of this course, he was called to work as a Chaplain in the hospitals Of Calgary. At this time, he was approached by a pastor from the Missouri Synod and asked if he would willing to go to Canmore to start a Lutheran Church of Canada (LCC) congregation. Although he belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and could not accept a call from this different synod. After much discussion, he and Kay decided to take up the challenge. This was a busy time and the congregation grew slowly until there were approximately 40 people attending every Sunday. Finally, in the fall of 1983, the workload and his arthritis forced him to admit that he could not carry on. Kay and David moved to Medicine Hat to “throw in the sponge”. Kay worked for Family Services and continued to make a comfortable home. Pastor Schaefer received invitations to preach and even served in a small country church for a year. He wrote poetry and his memoirs “My Journey in Life”. Soon after this, Kay and David moved to a care center where by God’s grace, they celebrated their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries. Shortly after that God called Kay to her eternal home and peace. Pastor Schaefer lives in a different care center and is very content. He still helps with Bible studies and various group activities and does a lot of correspondence. “Once a Pastor, always a Pastor”
Pastors of Norrona
Pastor Lars Ullensvang 1906 – 1910
Lars Larsen Ullensvang was born September 22, 1875, in Lee County, Illinois. He attended Illinois State Normal University in 1897 and 1898. The grandson of his brother, Leon Ullensvang, believes he taught school for a time. He attended Luther Seminary and was ordained in 1906. He provided service in Bulyea until 1910, when the congregation was organized. At the same time, he consented to also serve a Norwegian community in Kandahar, 80 miles from Bulyea. He made 13 trips during that time, travelling by horse and buggy over unmarked trails, a true pioneer. Reflections by the Quills, a history of the Wynyard district, states that Pastor Ullensvang left them in December, 1910, to pursue an interest in photography. He did not serve a congregation from 1911 to 1922. Pastor Ullensvang also served parishes in Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota. He returned to Illinois once or twice a year to visit his family. He was a life-long bachelor, who enjoyed travel and adventure. At the time of his death, he owned property in Saskatchewan, Alberta, California and Florida. He really got around! He died in Camp Crook South Dakota on January 8, 1947, while serving as a pastor in Williston, North Dakota.
Pastor Peter Mykland 1910 – 1911
Peter Johan Mykland was born at Breim Nordfjord Norway on December 3, 1881. He emigrated in 1903 and was ordained in 1910. While serving in Melville, he also traveled by train to Bulyea for services.
Pastor Christopher Knardahl 1911 – 1914
Christopher Knardahl was born in Bergen, Norway on January I5, 1879. He emigrated to the United States in 1899. While at Norrona, he also served three other congregations, Atwater Kristiana Church, Plainsview Zion Church and Southey Lunner Church. He never married. Pastor Knardahl died in 1924 while serving at Birch Hills Saskatchewan.
Pastor Carl Jothen 1915 – 1918 & 1927 – 1939
Carl Ludwig Jothen was born on August 16, 1876, at Westby Wisconsin to parents who had immigrated from Norway. Before entering the ministry. He worked as a hired hand and later became a teacher. He was ordained in 1908. He met his wife Gina at the seminary where Gina was a cook. They were married in 1908. Carl served in Chicago and Ryley Alberta before Coming to Melville. From here, he served Zion at Plainsview near Melville, Lunner near Southey, Kristiana at Atwater, Spy Hill Lutheran Church, Success Lutheran Church and Norrona. He was the pastor here at the time the church was built in 1917. In 1927, Carl and his family came to Govan St. Olaf. From here Carl also served Lunner near Southey, Bethel at Viscount and Norrona. He stayed here until 1939 and then served several interim ministries until his retirement. Pastor Jothen died July 24, 1964 at the Sunset Lutheran Home in Saskatoon. Throughout his ministry, Gina was a wonderful support. Gina played the guitar and provided special music during the service. She was a jolly outgoing person who understood youth and encouraged the Luther Leagues. Gina was able to make something out of what appeared to be nothing. She was also a good seamstress. Her cooking abilities always stood her in good stead and she and her family worked during harvest time for several years for a bachelor at Govan. He paid them for their work and this helped them financially during the Dry Years.
Pastor Hans Mosby 1918 – 1921
Hans Mosby was born on March 11, 1877 in Stavanger, Norway. He emigrated with his family to Yankton South Dakota at the of 6. Later the family moved to Ryley Alberta. He graduated from Camrose College and Luther Seminary and was ordained in 1918. Hans married Christine B. Johnson in 1920. They had four daughters and one son. After serving at Norrona, Pastor Mosby served at Torquay Saskatchewan 1922 – 1925 and Frost Minnesota 1925 – 1952. Pastor Mosby died in 1956 at Mason City Iowa.
Pastor Nels Wangen 1922 – 1927
Nels Wangen was born December 26, 1890 in Aal Hallingdal Norway. He came to the United States in 1909. He attended school and was ordained in 1920. While serving in Tompkins Saskatchewan, Nels married Jennie Tollerud in 1921. Jennie had graduated as a nurse in 1915 in North Dakota. She nursed during the flu epidemic in 1918. When her parents moved to Saskatchewan, she joined them here. In 1924, the couple moved to Bulyea and Nels served Norrona, St Olaf at Govan and Lunner near Southey. Nels later served in Minnesota and North Dakota. In the early 1940s, he accepted a job at the facilities plant at Pacific Lutheran College at Portland Washington. Sadly, Nels and Jennie lost both their children. Philip at the age of 15 and Joseph in 1958. Jennie died in 1970 and Nels in 1980.
Pastor Carl Jothen 1927 – 1939
See writeup above.
Pastor Henry Lyder Urness 1939 – 1943
Henry Lyder Urness was on August 21, 1874 in Minnesota. He was ordained in 1901 and in 1905 was called by the Home Mission Board to come to Canada. Henry was a tireless worker and a gifted organizer. He was instrumental in the founding of many Saskatchewan churches and was the chairman of the Saskatchewan Norwegian Lutheran College Association, the group responsible for opening Outlook College in 1915. By 1908, Pastor Urness was attempting to serve at about 20 places, covering an area about 70 miles by 50 miles, and all this by horse and buggy. He was cautioned by the Home Missions secretary against trying to cover such a large area. Another pastor was called and Pastor Urness also recruited Oscar Berg, a teacher and choir director. Oscar travelled from place to place with a portable organ giving instruction in religion and music. Henry married Mathea (Mattie) Brusven on August 29, 1897. Mattie was remembered for her sense of humor and her love of her Norwegian heritage. She retained the language, food and handwork of her roots. Pastor Urness served Norrona, St. Olaf at Govan and Lunner near Southey from 1939-1943. In a province where the Roughriders are beloved it must be mentioned that two of Henry and Mattie’s sons played for the green and white, Harold and Albert. Both are in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. In the 1960’s, Al’s son Ted also played for the team. Henry died in 1956 and Mattie in 1970.
Pastor Thor Jensen Langley 1944 – 1951
Thor Jensen Langley was born February 28, 1873 at Mo, Telemarken, Norway and came to the United States in 1901. He was ordained in 1914. In 1915 Thor married a teacher, Mollie Tronstad at Eau Claire, Wisconsin. They were a musical couple. Thor played the violin and Mollie played the piano. From 1944 – 1951, Pastor Langley served Norrona, St. Olaf in Govan and Lunner near Southey. This was no doubt a restful experience after some of his previous parishes. In 1918, he served at a parish north of Estevan, which included six congregations and covered 175 miles. From 1938 – 1944, he served a nine congregation parish around Lake Alma. While at Norrona, the Langleys lived in Strasbourg. The family lived in Winnipeg from 1927 – 1930, when Thor worked as the director Of Norwegian immigration for the Immigration Department of Canadian National Railways. He would take the train to Halifax, meet the newcomers at the dock and then accompany them on the trip to Winnipeg where he and Mollie would help them settle in. Thor died in 1964 and Mollie in 1971.
Pastor Carl Johnson 1951 – 1954
From Pastor Johnson for the 100th Anniversary: May God bless your celebration. Your history was and still is a part of the story of God’s love for us, shown in the life and teaching of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. May Norrona continue to be a part of that history and may you all help to weave that pattern, in whatever new parish arrangement you may find yourselves in. To God be the glory. Some more personal news, Renata died in 1996, just after our 52nd wedding anniversary. We had a good life of service in parish ministry in Western Canada. After leaving Strasbourg parish where only two boys were part of our family, we had a daughter in 1957. Now I have seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. I am married again to Gladys (Grundberg) Davidson and we both appreciate a second companionship after being widowed. My son Daniel, born in 1946, lives in Houston Texas and is retired from British Petroleum. Timothy, born in 1951, lives in Dawson Creek BC, where he is the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church. My daughter, Zoey Ruth and her family live in the Vancouver area.
Pastor Albert Olsen 1955 – 1958
Pastor Olsen, his wife, Frances and their children Faye, Lorne, Judy and Lois served Norrona, Lunner and Govan. During his ministry, the choir from Norrona sang at other churches including Gavan and a little country church west of Govan which has since burned down. Pastor Olson is remembered as an avid hunter and fisherman and as one who played a vicious game of Monopoly. Frances Olsen suffered from crippling arthritis and passed away when she was in her fifties. Pastor Olson died shortly afterwards in a motorcycle accident.
Pastor Stanley Rude 1959 – 1965
Pastor Stanley Clifford Rude was born on June 21, 1922, at Zumbrota Minnesota to Selma and Clara. He studied for the ministry and served parishes in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. He served our parish from 1959 to 1965 as well as Silton and Lunner congregations each Sunday. During those years, he had board and room on the farm of Mr. & Mrs. William Grendel. He also stayed over at various homes in the district and often assisted with farm work. Bible studies were conducted in various homes with a good response. Worship services were held each Sunday. Later in life, he married Helga Blais and they lived in Winnipeg. Helga developed Alzheimer’s disease and died on March 23, 2001. A year later, he moved to Camrose to be closer to family.
Parish Pastors After The Join
Rev. Harold Martin 1959 – 1970
Pastor Martin and his wife, Ella, were both born and educated in Saskatchewan. He in ministry, and she in nursing. Pastor Martin graduated from the Lutheran College and Seminary and was ordained on May 27th, 1956. They were married on June 20th, 1956, in Eatonia, SK. They have two daughters, Lorelle and Lynette. Before coming to Strasbourg, they served at Rabbit Lake, Sask which was a 4 point parish. They were there for 3 years. Pastor Martin and his family served the parish for 12 years. It was during his call that St John and Norrona became a parish of two congregations. Pastor Martin left the parish in 1970 to answer a call to Lethbridge, where he served until his retirement in 1995 after more than 40 years of ministry. Pastor Martin served as the Conference President for the Regina Conference during his call in Strasbourg. He also was the Chairman of the Stewardship Committee in the Synod of Alberta and the Dean of the Southern Conference for 4 years. Pastor Martin and Ella reside in Lethbridge and continue in an active roll at the congregation of Christ Trinity. They are also active as group tour leaders. Their daughters and families all live in Lethbridge and are also active in the Church. Pastor Martin shares his thoughts about his time as the parish pastor: “We have many wonderful memories of each of our parishes, and hear from friends from each one. Thanks for the grace and love of God and His many blessings upon our service.”
Rev. James Buenting 1971 – 1973
Pastor Buenting was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated high school in Duluth, Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota and Augustana College at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He graduated from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Ruth Schmidtke in suburban Chicago, Illinois, shortly after his ordination into the ministry in 1967. They have four children. Pastor Buenting and his family became Canadian citizens in 1995. His entire ministry has been served in Canada, serving at Kipling & Wapella, Strasbourg, Winnipeg, Calgary, Kelowna, and Regina in both the Lutheran and Anglican churches.
Bishop Gerhard A. Preibisch 1973 – 1979
Bishop Preibisch was born in Lotz, Poland in 1942. At the age of two, Gerhard and his family were uprooted and forced to flee the country. In the spring of 1945, his mother, he and two older sisters arrived as refugees in Germany, searching for their father. The family were reunited in 1948, and in 1953 emigrated to Canada, and settled in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. After his father’s untimely death in 1954 and his mother’s remarriage in 1957, the family moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta. In 1965, in response to God’s call to the ordained ministry, he attended Luther collage in Regina where he completed high school. Bishop Preibisch married Winnifred Jacob in 1966 . Their marriage has been blessed with four children, Cathy, Kerry, Paul and Pamela. In 1969, Gerhard received his Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. After receiving a Master of Divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Saskatoon in 1972, he interned at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Vancouver BC. He was ordained in Medicine hat Alberta in July 1973 and then began his first call with St John-Norrona Parish in July of 1973. During his time with us from 1973 to 1979, Bishop Preibisch served as board member and chairperson of the Strasbourg and District Health Centre and coached an elementary age girls’ baseball team. He concluded his ministry in our parish in 1979. From 1979 to 1988 he served as senior pastor at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Winnipeg, From 1988 to 2001 he served Christ Lutheran Church in Chilliwack BC. During that time he also served as the back up Protestant Chaplin for Corrections Canada at Mountain, Kent and Matsqui Institutions in the Fraser Valley. In June 2001, he was ordained as Bishop and appointed to serve as Bishop of the British Columbia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. He was ordained in 2002. In April of 2006 he was re-elected to serve a second four year term.
Pastor Harold Lovrod 1979 – 1984
Pastor Lovrod came to our parish with his wife Corine and their two daughters, Shelley and Sheri, in 1979. They were all very active in the church and community. Unfortunately, Pastor Lovrod passed away suddenly at the age of 47 in December of 1984 while serving as parish pastor. Corine and her daughters then moved to Camrose, Alberta in June 1985. After that, Corine moved to Mission BC where she lived for eight years. In 2000 she moved to Abbotsford to be closer to her parents. Corine is now retired and is very active in the Lutheran Church at Matsqui, just outside of Abbotsford. She is the vice president ff church council, secretary of the ELW, communion assistant and worship leader when pastor is available. She also chooses hymns for worship services, does secretarial work and helps out in any other capacity where required all done on a volunteer basis. Shelley born in 1966, married Delwyn Luedtke in 1989 in Camrose. Shelley is with Public Relations and does music therapy with the mentally challenged. Delwyn is with Public Relation and Publications at LCBI in Outlook Sask. They are parents of Vandana and Madalina. Sheri, born in 1970, is Dean of Girls at LCBI in Outlook Sask. Every February she takes groups of students and staff to Mexico for mission outreach and on one occasion, took a group of adults to India mission outreach as well.
Pastor Lois Knudson Munholland 1985 – 1997
Pastor Knudson Munholland was raised on a farm in the Archerwill district of Saskatchewan. She began her formal education at a country school at Dahlton and graduated with her M.Div at the Lutheran Theological Seminary. She was ordained in the summer of 1985 and subsequently began her ministry in the St. John Norrona Parish. Pastor Knudson Munholland shares her thoughts about her time as the parish pastor: “What I appreciated most, and treasure still, are the heartfelt conversation that occurred during home and hospital visitations; pre-baptism and pre-marriage sessions; youth and adult confirmation classes; Bible studies; and grief sessions . I also recall particular regular and special worship services, weddings and funerals, as well as other meaningful times. I also remember meetings and gatherings of the many and various groups and councils in the parish and the new groups we initiated. After putting my heart and soul into my ministry here, when I sensed that some people thought that it was time that I resigned, I closed my ministry here.” Pastor Knudson Munholland concluded her ministry as pastor here in 1997. She has continued her ministry by helping with many vacant parishes, being a Chaplain at Luther College on the University of Regina campus and as a minister in the Nokomis – Govan United Church of Canada with special permission. She has also published 3 books on early Saskatchewan Lutheran History. Pastor Knudson Munholland and family all maintain an active membership in our parish.
Pastor Richard D. Schulz 1998 – 2002
Pastor Schulz began his first call at St John-Norrona Parish in July of 1998. Pastor Schulz was ordained on June 30, 1998 at Messiah Church, Assiniboia, SK, where he completed his internship. Pastor Schulz shares his thoughts about his time as the parish pastor: “I could never have dreamed of serving a better parish for a first call! The people of this parish welcomed me warmly and allowed me to grow into the pastor I have become. The first sign of how special this relationship would become was when a 47-passenger coach pulled up at the front of the church in Assiniboia to participate in my ordination service. I will always have fond memories of this parish.” Pastor Schulz concluded his ministry here in 2002. His next call to service was at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Winnipeg Manitoba. This call began on July 1, 2002 and ran until September 2003 when he accepted the call to serve the Manitoba North Western Ontario Synod as the Youth Ministry Facilitator and Campus Chaplin. His ministry then took him to the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia serving at Peace Lutheran Church in Vernon and then Grace Lutheran Church in Kelowna. Following his time in BC, he served as Pastor at Gimli Lutheran Church in Gimli Manitoba.
Pastor Don C. Hansen 2003 – 2014
Pastor Hansen graduated from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary in 1986. He was ordained at Ardal-Geysir Evangelical Lutheran Church in Arborg, Manitoba, where he served until 1988. Pastor Hansen then served as a Military Chaplain with the Royal Canadian Armed Forces from January of 1989 until October of 1993. During this time, he was stationed in CFB Gagetown, Oromocto, New Brunswick. He also served tours to Germany, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, and Croatia. On May 11, 1993, he received an ‘Achievement Award at the Command Level’ for outstanding meritorious service, from Lt. Gen. Foster, the then commander of Mobile Command. Pastor Hansen returned to civilian ministry by serving as pastor to congregations in Brantford, Ontario; Redvers, Saskatchewan; Wishek, North Dakota, USA; and Estevan, Saskatchewan. He began his ministry at St John-Norrona Parish in June of 2003. During his time here, he also served as Vice-chair of the Board to Circle of Life Native Ministry in Regina. After many years in ministry, Pastor Hansen retired from the ELCIC in 2014.
Pastor Zsófi B. Schmiedge 2015 – 2018
Pastor Schmiedge graduated from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon in May of 2013. Pastor Schmiedge spent time as a supply preacher for many congregations around Regina prior to receiving our call to ordained ministry. She was married to Paul in March of 2015. Pastor Schmiedge was ordained at Christ, Regina, Saskatchewan in October of 2015, and began her first call at St John-Norrona parish in the same month. During her time here, Pastor Schmiedge has encouraged community engagement within our faith community and beyond our walls. She is passionate about support for Youth ministry and has helped our young people to travel and meet with other Lutheran and Anglican youth across the synod and country. She is equally passionate about the wider church and has been appointed to serve as the SK Synod Representative on the National Church’s Program Committee for Youth Ministry (PCYM); as Chair of the SK Synod’s Youth Ministry Committee; and was elected Dean of the Regina Conference in 2016. Pastor Schmiedge feels blessed to serve this parish and grateful to receive such incredible encouragement as she learns what kind of pastor she is called to be. Her last service was October 14, 2018 and she is currently at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Pastor Carlton Larson 2019 – 2024
Pastor Carlton became Vice Pastor on October 15, 2018 and then Pastor on March 1, 2019. His last service was February 25, 2024. Carlton is a small town boy from Midale Saskatchewan who grew up on horseback. It took him a few years to get a direction. Carlton eventually taught guitar lessons while furthering his education and attended the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music and then a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary. Upon graduation and ordination, he began a career as a pastor. Along the way his first two sons were born, Christopher and Mitchell. The third, David, was born in Weyburn where he was serving Peace Lutheran Church. From there he was called to the parish in Kipling and Broadview. Carlton is now married to Peggy Forsberg and lives in Regina. He was called to the parish of Strasbourg and Bulyea in 2019 just in time for COVID. He served five years to the day and deeply enjoyed the parish, the community, and the fellowship of both congregations. He is now mostly retired, serving on Sunday mornings in area rural churches and assisting at Christ Lutheran Regina with occasional visitations and attending the monthly Mysterium services to volunteer.
Pastor Richard D. Schulz 2024 – Current
Watch for information coming soon