Pastor Frank has served at Ascension since 1976. His main areas of oversight include preaching and worship, small group ministry, education, outreach, fellowship, council and staff.

Composer of many contemporary worship songs and resources, Pastor Frank compiled and edited Ascension's worship book, "Songs of the Heart". He also is author of "Managing Stress: Seeking Serenity of the Soul", a book for small group discussion in the Augsburg-Fortress Publishers Intersections Series.

He is married to Jan, who is Deaconess of Music at Ascension. They have two grown children, Ben and Rebekah. His other loves include music, especially guitar, and that strange addiction called golf!

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 Southeast Wisconsin has been home for me for my entire life. I grew up in Menomonee Falls, attended UWM where I majored in English, and raised my family in Wauwatosa. I am mom to three adult children: Lindsey, Kevin, and Michael. And I am grandma to six-year-old Shawn. Before attending seminary, I served on staff as Parish Education Coordinator at Jackson Park Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. In May, I graduated from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. I enjoy vacationing at the ocean, sharing meals with family and friends, and hanging out with my grandson.

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Pastor Ted and his wife, Sharon, joined Ascension in 2004 after he retired from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Waukesha after 21 years as lead pastor.

He serves as an unpaid servant preaching and leading worship at Ascension as needed, as well as helping with other pastoral ministry. He helped gather Ascension’s first PowerPoint team and guided the purchase and set up of the screen, projector and related equipment in the sanctuary.

Pastor Ted believes that one should never totally retire from being a servant of Christ and so he serves as president of the board of Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County, where he has been actively involved since its beginning 20 years ago. In addition he is president of a land trust for affordable housing in Waukesha County.

Pastor Ted and Sharon live in Wales. They have two grown daughters and six grandchildren.

Jan has served as Deaconess of Music since 1976. She directs adult and children's choirs, plays organ, piano and keyboard, and administers all musicians and choirs at Ascension. Jan also plans all festival worship (Sunday 9:00 am services and Saturday service).  She is active in the Lutheran Deaconess Conference. 

Pastor Steve Kersten joined the Ascension staff in August 2008 as part-time Small Group Minister.   Retired after 16 years as pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church in Muskego, he longed to do more ministry in Christ's church and this position seems perfect.  Steve has a Doctor of Ministry degree in Evangelism and the Lutheran Confessions. His thesis was "Sacramental Evangelism, A Cycle of Grace".

He and his wife Judy are the parents of two married children, Noel and Eric, and they have two wonderful grandchildren, Cristi and Victor.  Judy is a professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin and an anesthesiologist.  In his free time he enjoys reading, tennis, fishing and ball room dancing.

Our Youth and Family Minister, Elisabeth
Pynn Himmelman, comes to us from Tacoma, WA,
where she was Youth Minister at First Lutheran
Church. She is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran Uni-
versity, with a second degree from Washington Uni-
versity in Social Work. She is married to Jacob,
who is studying architecture at UW Milwaukee.

Elisabeth‘s passion for social issues and sincere desire to meet the youth where they are, promises vibrant plans
for our teens.
 

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 Pat Pfahler has been a member of Ascension since 1991.  She is a mother of four children, three of them grown and one in high school.  She delights in being grandmother to her three beautiful grandchildren.

Children and family have always been dear to her heart.  She started teaching Sunday School when she was in junior high school.  She has served as the Superintendent of Sunday School at another ELCA Lutheran Church.  She took the training for and became a certified Youth and Family Minister in the ELCA while working full time as a Registered Nurse at Froedtert Hospital.

Her passions include: presenting Christ to children, youth, and families, advocating for those who are unable, traveling, camping, hanging out with friends, and loving her grandchildren.

Barbara has thoroughly enjoyed serving as a parish nurse at Ascension Lutheran Church since August 2000. As a parish nurse Barbara may provide:

     Consultation related to health concerns.
     Advocacy for members in times of crisis and transition.
     Resource and referral to community services.
     Education for healthy lifestyle choices within the context of faith.
     Spiritual support and prayer for those open to Gods' love.

Her prior 25 years of nursing experience has been in cardiac services, surgery, and as an Infection Control Coordinator at St. Luke's Medical Center. Barb is married to Patrick and has two almost grown children Ryan and Allison. Her hobbies include skiing, traveling and volunteer work.

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A long-time member of Ascension, Kathy joined the staff in May 1983. Her responsibilities as office manager include computer preparation of bulletins and the monthly Ascension newsletter, managing calendar and building scheduling, working with custodial staff, secretarial staff and volunteers. A former elementary teacher, Kathy enjoys the challenges of a busy office and the joy of serving with Ascension's dedicated ministry team.

She is married to Jim and they have two grown children, Peter and Kristine. In her free time she enjoys reading, traveling, hiking and biking, as well as singing in the choir and helping with Altar Guild. 

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Linda is a long-time member at Ascension. She joined the staff as a secretary in the church office in January 2007. She comes with experience in our office for the past five years where she has filled in for vacations, surgeries, and helped with the newsletter. She helps with many administrative tasks and uses her organizational skills to try and keep things in the church organized and efficient.

She is currently involved in a nurture group and in the Living Letters Ministry. When not at church, she spends time on her organizing business and volunteering at the Waukesha County Historical Society. She also enjoys auto racing in the summer months and traveling.

Linda is married to Jerry. They have one son, Bob, and one grandson, Robby.

 

Inspired by popular christian artists from Micheal W. Smith to Mercy Me and Casting Crowns, Ben brings a modern edge to worship at Ascension.  If you enjoy listening to the K-Love radio station be sure to visit our 10:45 am service any given Sunday.   Ben is a downtown Waukesha guy where he enjoys giving guitar lessons, biking, hiking, and playing with his band on the weekends.

Tony Memmel is bringing his musical talents to Ascension's Worship Cafe.  He is a songwriter and performer with unique charisma and creativity.  Born missing his left forearm, he taught himself to play guitar, piano and harmonica.  He is familiar to Ascension member, having often sung and/or played at Ascension worship services.

Tony's music is catchy, without sacrificing sincerity, and his lyrics are personal and real.  He earned a Bachelor's degree in music and is a classically trained and acclaimed vocalist.  You may have heard songs from his CD "The Tale of an Underdog" (08) or his most recent CD "Potter Road" (09).  His wife Lesleigh often contributes backing vocals and piano/keyboard.

Memmel has gigged extensively in the Midwest and is making a name for himself in such places as Milwaukee, Chicago, and Minneapolis.  He recently completed a successful U.S. tour during the fall of "09, in support of his new album (With stops in New Youk City, Boston, Asbury Park, Cleveland, Indianapolis and more!).

Come to Worship Cafe (Monday evenings 7:00 PM) and listen to and be inspired by Tony's performance of Christian music.
 

Since Cindy joined Ascension, she has spent several years doing graphic design work and leading major print campaign projects.  So, when we proposed adding a part time Media Specialist, Cindy brought the experience and creativity we needed. Currently, she is the Designer and Editor of the Ascension Newsletter and partners with our pastors to create the digital media used during worship services.

Ministries dear to Cindy’s heart include leading Ascension’s Mom’s Group, serving as Fellowship Director on the Council, designing logos for many ministries and events, and fulfilling her dream of directing and producing “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Beyond Ascension, Cindy is devoted to her three awesome, active kids, Melina, Ryan and Alison.   She owns a small, home-based business, works part time for another Ascension member and manages life on the home front.  For fun, Cindy loves sharing life’s lessons with her incredible Christian girlfriends, and finds a little time to hand-bead jewelry, write poetry and practice guitar.  As a family, they spend time together boating, traveling, and supporting the kids many band and sport activities.  
 

Heidi has been a member of Ascension since 1993, and has directed the Handbell Choir since it began in 2001. She also sings in the adult choir and plays flute at the Festival Worship Service.  Heidi is an active member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers and serves as the Sub-Area Chair for Area VII of AGEHR.

Heidi and her husband, David, have two sons - Michael and Zach.  In her free time she enjoys gardening, traveling, reading and kayaking.

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Don Malchow joined the Ascension staff as custodian in August of 2007.  A long-time member of Ascension Church, he was confirmed here as a youth.  He served two terms in the past as the head of church properties when it was a church council position.  He currently sings with the Adult Choir.  He is recently retired as a maintenance supervisor at Waukesha State Bank.  Don is married to Kathy Malchow and they are the parents of three daughters.  Don is the proud grandpa of five grandchildren and enjoys spending his free time with them.