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Tim Koester - Pastor

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 Tim Koester is a 2009 graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary  in Dubuque IA serving his first call at St. Mark.  Before moving to Dubuque, Tim and his family lived on their farm south of Deshler NE near the Kansas border.  He attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln and spent one semester as a vocal music major and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy/Crop Production and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Honors.  He and his wife Shelli then moved to the family farm where Tim farmed with his family and led youth ministry at Peace Lutheran Church.  Shelli was a guidance counselor and social science teacher at both the Deshler Public and Thayer Central School systems. Tim was also certified as a Parish Ministry Associate prior to entering seminary.  

While in Dubuque, Tim served as the Youth Ministry Committee Chairman and as the Student Body Co-President.  Shelli was employed by the seminary in multiple positions including the Director of TEEM and Online Learning.  Shelli and Tim have two children, Kayleigh who is attending Drake University, and Callen who is a freshman at Bloomfield high.  

You can also visit Tim's web page at

 http://web.me.com/tskoester/koesterkonnection/Tim.html

Jolene Jessen - Church Administrator

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Jolene is a lifelong resident of Bloomfield and member/disciple at St. Mark's.  She's married to husband Les, and has:  3 children--Angela, Marty, and Holly; 2 son-in-laws--Wally and Tim; and daughter-in-law--Melanie; and 5 grandchildren--Tyler, Trenton, Grace, Jacob & Faith.

Jolene worked for Northstar services for 18 years and took on the challenges of her call to church administration in early October, 2005. 

She is passionate about Jesus, her family, and her church, and has spiritual gifts for event planning and community building.  As a paid servant at St. Mark's, she is an incredible asset to the church's mission and ministry and brings an atmosphere of welcome and a can-do attitude to the church office.

Vernon Miller is new to our staff having started on December 1st, 2007.  However, he's not new to the life of our church having been a part of our faith and life now for over six decades.  He brings with him gifts for detail, a passion for our physical plant as a space that is hospitable and welcoming to all, and a plethora of gifts as a handy man.

His can-do attitude is stellar as well!

He is married to Mary and together they have two boys (now grown), two daughter-in-laws, and three grandchildren.