I grew up near Emery, South Dakota on a dairy farm with mom, dad and 5 siblings. And in case you are wondering, even though I wasn’t always happy about all the work on the farm, I am eternally grateful for the blessing of growing up in this environment and truly learning a strong work ethic!

I played several sports while growing up and enjoyed basketball and football the most. After my high school graduation in 1975, I attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell South Dakota with a Double Major: one in religion/philosophy and the other in psychology. Following my graduation from DWU in 1979, I served as a Residential Counselor at a group home for teenage girls at Abbott House in Mitchell, South Dakota before attending seminary in 1982. I graduated from the Iliff School of Theology in 1986 in Denver, CO and was ordained in the United Methodist Church the same year.

During college I married my high school sweetheart, Della, and this past August celebrated 47 years together! We have 2 children and 4 grandchildren and we have a beloved dog named Kali Bear who is turning 10 soon. I have served churches in Colorado, South Dakota, Alaska & Montana before retiring in 2022. I am very grateful to be serving this congregation at ½ time and find this church very much a home away from home.

Hobbies include hiking, whittling, chopping wood, motorcycling, reading and a bit of stargazing.