Rev. Brian Downs, Vacancy Pastor

The pastoral ministry is Pastor Brian’s third career. His previous included 12 years in the building supply trade where he last worked as a millwork/window buyer and large bid estimator. After the housing crash in the early 90’s, he moved into the Fraternal Insurance and financial markets working with the old AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) until he could no longer ignore the call of God to serve in the church as a pastor. Brian entered the seminary in 1998 and graduated with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) in 2003. His first call into the ministry was at Zion and Trinity Lutheran Churches in Presho and Reliance, South Dakota. He served there also as a Tri-Parish vacancy pastor for 10 months. He left in 2006 to serve as an Associate Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville and then as Senior Pastor in 2014 until he took an early retirement due to health reasons in 2022. Pastor Brian loves to be a student of the Bible and share what he has learned with others. He loves person to person ministry, Lutheran worship, and can be found on the street…telling as many as possible about the love of God. Not in your face, but quietly, gently, and with patience. And when appropriate with humor.

God has blessed him with a lovely partner in the ministry as he married up when Jean said yes in 1986. They have enjoyed almost 38 years of marriage and have known each other for over 56 years as they grew up as next-door neighbors. They are blessed with three adult daughters, Meaghan, Kelly and Erin, and their awesome husbands and their 1st granddaughter. When not doing ministry, Brian may be found working on DIY projects and such as health permits, cutting grass, and fixing equipment broken in the DIY venture. His new favorite Bible verse is from John 11:43, “….Lazarus, come out”! Ask him why, and grab a snickers bar, and he will tell you 😊.

Lisa Clamors, Church & Preschool Secretary

Lisa has been the secretary/office manager at Immanuel since May 2004.  She is responsible for the overall management of the office and provides administrative support to not only the church staff but also to our preschool and other ministry boards and groups.  She and her husband, Rodney, have been active members of Immanuel for many years.  They became host parents in 2018 to two young men, Kunqi & Minseok, and in August 2023, to Kunqi’s sister, Xinwen. All three have been great blessings in their lives. They even got to experience a wonderful trip to South Korea in July 2023 to visit Minseok & his family and take in his culture. She enjoys playing games & spending time with Rodney and other family and friends, as well as walking & being outdoors. One of her favorite Bible verses is Matthew 11:28… “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Ann Frank, Music Director

Ann has been serving as Immanuel’s Music Director since November 2008.  She and her husband, Warren, are a blessing to Immanuel.  Ann is extremely dedicated to her job, and it shows! Visit the Music page for more details about our music programs. Ann’s favorite Bible verse is Psalm 69:30. “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.”

Debbie Olsson, Part-time Office Assistant

Debbie started this role in Jan 2024. She is a retired mother of 4 grown children and is blessed with 7 grandchildren. She resides in Waterloo. Her favorite Bible verse currently is Philippians 4:13. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Tina DeMond, Custodian

Tina began in this position in January 2022. She is getting the hang of it and seeming to enjoy it. Tina lives in Waterloo, and has a daughter & son-in-law, Jackie & Sandy Nichols, and two grandchildren, Reagan & Blake.

Ed Arras, Groundskeeper & Maintenance

Ed began this role in July 2020. He and his wife, Debbie, have been longtime members of Immanuel. They have two children, Jennifer (Matt) & Eddie (Annie), and 4 grandchildren, Lilly, Madalyn, Nolan, and Eddie Jr.

Linda Polansky, Preschool Director/Teacher

Linda began the role as Preschool Director/Teacher in July 2016 and has been a great addition to our staff.  Linda is ECE Director Qualified with a masters in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s in Management/ Communications from Concordia University-Mequon.  She is dedicated to serve our very young children in the community. Linda does all that she can to make sure that each preschool student thrives academically in order to succeed in BIG school to the best of his/her abilities. Just as important, she recognizes that positive emotional/social learning experiences help young children grow into happy helpful and caring adults. With Jesus as the center of the classroom, her preschool students understand that they are loved and respected unconditionally. Linda & her husband, Bob, live in Waterloo, and have 2 grown children, Sarah (Drew) & Josh, and 2 grandchildren, Adalynn and Drake. When she is not teaching, Linda is playing bells at church, going on mission trips, leading preschool VBS and working with children and staff at Camp Wartburg. Linda has spent half her life working with children and will continue to do so as long as God leads her down this path to teach and nurture our very young and most precious gifts. Visit our Preschool page for more details about our preschool.

Donna Sandersfeld, Pre-K Teacher

Ms. Donna is not new to this role. She previously served as Immanuel’s Preschool Aide about 15 years ago. She and her husband, Kyle, live in Waterloo. They have three grown children, Becky, Andrew, and Aaron, and three grandchildren. Donna served at various other daycare and preschool centers over the years but is happy to be back serving the kiddos at Immanuel. Her current favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:38-39. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Devin Voges, Preschool Kitchen Manager & Teacher’s Aide

When not serving mac-n-cheese or pizza to our Preschoolers, you can find Devin hiking local trails or camping at various parks. She is newly married to Alex, and they live in Prairie du Rocher. They both have previous “Camp Names” since they have served for numerous years at various NLOMA camps! Next time you see Devin, ask her what hers is! Her current favorite Bible verse is John 13:35. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Amber Elder, Preschool Teacher’s Aide

Info coming soon…