Mr. Michael Welton joined the Immanuel staff in August 1988 serving as upper grades teacher and athletic director. He became Principal in 1992. Mr. Welton teaches 6th, 7th & 8th grade history. He has a BA in history and education from Northeastern IL University and an MA in school administration from Concordia University, Chicago.

He is currently enrolled in a doctoral program through Concordia. Prior to his service at Immanuel, he taught 7th & 8th graders in Chicago. He and his wife, Sharon, have two daughters, Evelyn and Caroline, both graduates of Immanuel. Community service includes the Lena Lions, Lena Historical Society and Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Bonnie Larson, the kindergarten teacher, has been at Immanuel since 1990. She has a BS in Early Childhood Education from Northern Illinois University. She has three children, Katie, Jennie and Andrew who also graduated from Immanuel. Mrs. Larson helps teach the Wee Ones in Sunday School, plays bells and is on the Board of Friendship and Evangelism at Immanuel Lutheran Church. 

Mrs. Kristi Simmons joined the Immanuel staff in 2006. She was born in Chicago, IL, moved to Freeport 18 years ago. She and her husband, Adron, have three children, Adron (AJ), Ashley and Andrew. She serves as a Sunday school teacher and church secretary at her church. She also serves in the community as a board member of the Salvation Army.

Mrs. Lisa Pehl attended Immanuel Lutheran School and graduated from Freeport High School. She and her husband, David, have two children, Summer (15) at Freeport High School and Matthew (10) at Immanuel Lutheran School. Mrs. Pehl has been an aide in the kindergarten room since 2005. She loves what every new year’s students bring to the classroom.

Mrs. Karen Gieseke has been teaching first grade at Immanuel since 1989. She is a graduate of Illinois State University and is certified in both elementary and special (physically handicapped) education. She and her husband, Rodney, have three children, Joel, Brendon and Dana who all attended and graduated from Immanuel.

Mrs. Christine Truckenmiller graduated with a BS in elementary education from Rockford College and has her M.S. in reading education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. Mrs. Truckenmiller joined the Immanuel Staff in 1988, first teaching preschool. She has been teaching 2nd grade since 1991.

She and her husband, Gary, have one son, Drew who graduated from Immanuel Lutheran School. The family attends Crossroads Community Church.

Brenda Glandorf was born and raised in Iowa. She graduated from high school in Williamsburg, IA and from Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. She received her colloquy from Concordia College, Seward, NE. Before joining the Immanuel staff in 1997, Brenda taught at Lutheran Schools in Fulda, MN; Rochester, MN, and Elgin, IL. She has been teaching since 1981. Brenda is a member of the Quota Club and co-chairman on the Board of Friendship and Evangelism.

Mrs. Kathy Vehmeier, graduated from Concordia University, Chicago (then named Concordia College, River Forest) in 1987. She taught for three years at St. James Lutheran School in Howard Lake, MN before joining the Immanuel staff 1990. She is married to Paul and has two step-children, Jacquie and Nathan. Mrs. Vehmeier helps teach the Wee Ones on Sunday mornings and coordinates the nursery schedule.

Mrs. Kristen Andrews, aide in both the classroom and Child Development Center, has been a member of the Immanuel staff since 2004. Mrs. Andrews does the billing for the Child Development Center. She and her husband, Rick, have two daughters, Haley & Allison, both graduates of Immanuel.

Vicki Mueller was born in Winfield, IL. She attended and graduated from Concordia University, Mequon. She taught 7 and ½ years at St. Paul Lutheran School in Cincinnati, OH before coming to Immanuel in August, 2005. Miss Mueller enjoys reading, going to movies and spending time with family and friends. She is a member of the Board of Friendship & Evangelism and served as the congregational secretary for four years.

Currently Vacant

Mrs. Lyvers came on board the Immanuel Team in 2011 as the congregation called her to be the 6,7, & 8th Math and Science Teacher. Ali is a graduate of Immanuel Lutheran.

Mrs. Beth Barton was born in North Dakota. She graduated from Minot State College with a double major in regular elementary education and education of the deaf in 1977. She taught deaf children for three years. Mrs. Barton has been teaching 7th & 8th Language Arts since 1991. She married her husband, David and took time to raise their four children. They have 3 grandchildren with one more on the way.

Mr. Larry Tigges grew up in Aurelia, Iowa. He graduated from Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa. He has taken graduate classes in Physical Education. Mr. Tigges has been teaching P.E. at Immanuel Lutheran School since 2005. He is a coach for Eastland High School. He enjoys vacationing in Colorado and is a member of the Forreston Reformed Church, where he teaches Sunday School. Mr. Tigges and his wife, Cindy, have three children, Tara, Tyler and Tate.

Mrs. Nancy Luepke graduated from Central College, Pella, Iowa. She taught in the Earlville School District before moving to Freeport. She worked for the Freeport Junior High Truancy Department for 2 years, before joining the Immanuel staff in 1988. Mrs. Luepke teaches Algebra. She has also taught at Tri-County Christian School and Highland Community College. She and her husband, Mark, have two grown children Daniel and Danita. She is a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Diane Dietmeier graduated from Elizabeth High School, attended Highland Community College and Illinois State University. After graduation, she did graduate work in Salzburg, Austria. Mrs. Dietmeier has taught music in the Dixon schools, Forrestville Valley School District, Highland Community College and Immanuel where she has been on the staff since1987.

She and her husband, Eric, have two children, Lane, who works in Chicago and Taylor who is attending college in North Carolina.

Mrs. Penny Julius was born in Freeport, attended and graduated from Freeport High School. She graduated with a BS in elementary education from Western Illinois University. After graduation, she worked ten years in the banking industry. She joined the Immanuel staff in 1997 teaching Language Arts, adding the computer teacher duties in 1998. She and her husband, Dan, have two children, Grace & Gregory. They farm southeast of Freeport.

Mrs. Alice Schwichtenberg was born in Minnesota. She attended college at Makota, MN. She is the wife of our pastor, Rev. Willis Schwichtenberg. Mrs. Schwichtenberg is the Quest teacher and is also the yearbook advisor. She and her husband have four children, Jonathan, Jennifer, Jason & Jodee. She teaches the new member class for the church.

Mrs. Lynn Hartog joined the Immanuel staff in 2008 as the art teacher for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes. She and her husband, Tom, have two daughters.

Mrs. Beth Nagel, joined Immanuel as assistant cook in 2000. In 2007, she changed jobs and became the church janitor. She now holds this position as the Cafeteria Manager starting in 2011. She and her husband, Dave, have two children Amber and Josh and three grandchildren. Mrs. Nagel helps with the Farmer’s Market during the summer where she has a booth for her baked goods.

Mrs. Julie Kohlbauer is a Freeport native. She worked in Rockford and Freeport as a registered nurse. She and her husband, Ron, have three daughters, Elise, Emily and Erin who are all former ILS students. She was a stay-at-home mom and volunteered in the school offices and classrooms. Their daughter Elise is a University of Wisconsin Platteville student, Emily is attending Highland Community College, and Erin is a freshman at FHS. All three graduated from ILS. Mrs. Kohlbauer has been the assistant cook in the Immanuel cafeteria since 2009.

Mrs. Suzi Meyerhofer grew up in Biloxi, MS. She has been the cafeteria monitor since 2009. Mrs. Meyerhofer helped with the moonlight bowling fundraiser for the playground. She and her husband, Tim, have two children, Dylan & Kaitlyn who attend Immanuel School.

George Ratkovich joined the Immanuel staff in 2005 as janitor. Besides working at Immanuel, he also operates his own upholstery business here in Freeport. He has two grandchildren attending ILS.

Dave Thompson retired after 37 years with Bank of America as Vice President of Check Operations. He and his wife, Sharon, moved to Lake Carroll in 2004. Dave worked as the produce manager for Sullivan’s Food – Lena and retired in June, 2010. He has been with Immanuel since 2006. He is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lena.

Paul Fosler joined the Immanuel staff in November, 2010. He and his wife, Kris, have two children, Wyatt and Anika, attending Immanuel.