Pastor Frank Janzow, Lead Pastor

  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!
 

Pastor Jim Bickel, Administrative Pastor

  Pastor Jim came to Wisconsin in 1982 to join the growing ministry of Ascension. Along with the involvement of worship, pastoral care, and administrative responsibilities, Jim oversees a variety of ministries that are part of the Mission Outreach wing of Ascension’s program design. This area includes Mission Partnerships with other churches; Social and Community Concerns which connect Ascension with a variety of caring ministries; and mission trips with People to People Ministries, which provide Ascension members opportunities to work hand in hand with people in other cultures and countries. Jim tries to keep his energy up as the pastoral part of a busy Youth Ministry Team, and offers his limited expertise to those who maintain the Church Property.
  Prior to his work at Ascension Pastor Jim was called to a specialized ministry as public relations director and lots of other sundry and various jobs at Lutheran Housing Corporation in the central city of Cleveland.
  Pastor Jim and his wife, Paula, have three daughters . Jim likes to explore Wisconsin on his bicycle. He and Paula travel whenever they get the opportunity, and especially enjoy taking Ascension member with them.

Pastor Ted Romberg, Retired Pastor

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.

Tim Tahtinen, Youth and Family Minister

Tim joined the Ascension staff in July 2003 as Youth and Family Minister. He has over 16 years in parish Youth Ministry while also spending some of that time studying at Wartburg Theological Seminary. Tim’s philosophy for ministering to youth is through Family Ministry. He believes young people and their families need to be supported together in their faith journey. Tim also has spent two years traveling and speaking for Faith Inkubators (the confirmation program used by Ascension). He’s a musician and songwriter and enjoys sailing, golf, basketball, volleyball and skiing. He is blessed with two beautiful daughters, Hannah, 10 years, and Grace, 6 years.
 

Jan Janzow, Deaconess of Music

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

Barbara Cowle, Parish Nurse

  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.
 

Kathy Hahn, Office Manager

  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.
 

Agnes Coralline, Secretary

  Agnes joined Ascension in 1968 with her husband, Ed, and seven children. Their eighth child was born in 1970. Family activities are in main part of her life, along with home computer, crossword puzzle solving, and cross-stitching.
  After volunteering for many years in the church office with printing and assembling newsletters and bulletins, Agnes joined the staff as a part-time secretary and receptionist. As a member of Ascension Church, she served as Council Secretary for three terms, belonged to the Women's Group, and currently is on the Memorial Gardens Committee.
 

Linda Hansen, Secretary

  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, and their cat, Bud.

Don Malchow, Custodian

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.

Sarah Grooms, Small Group Minister

  Sarah has responsibility for the coordination, support and addressing the multiple needs of Ascension’s Small Groups. Her joy in the role she plays is providing members every opportunity to connect with other members. She offers assistance for groups focused on Bible study, fellowship, hobby groups, outdoor activity groups, support for families, or book clubs. Sarah encourages and guides them all.
  She also supports Small Group Leaders and organizes meetings to allow them to learn more about guiding their groups. Additionally, she participates in the leadership of the “Discover Ascension” classes regularly held for new members. Sarah loves staying busy and that’s a good thing, as she is also a full-time Business Banker.

  She is married to Sam and they have two cats, Jack and Jill. When she has “free” time, she enjoys reading, traveling (especially to new places), photography, scrap booking and anything to do with music!
 

Other Ascension Staff