Shaune Fields
Preschool Director, St. John Christian Preschool
Phone: 641-228-7274
wfranke@stjohncharlescity.com
wfranke@stjohncharlescity.com
Staff
Russ Leeper
Senior Pastor
Phone: 641-228-3397
rleeper@stjohncharlescity.com
rleeper@stjohncharlescity.com
Pastor Russ grew up in Waterloo, IA. He attended Wartburg College in Waverly where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. He served congregations in Nebraska and Wisconsin for 25 years before returning to Iowa as our senior pastor in August of 2017. Pastor Russ and his wife, Susan, are delighted to be back in Iowa and part of the Charles City community.
Beth Hurt
Pastor Intern
Phone: 641-228-3397
beth@stjohncharlescity.com
beth@stjohncharlescity.com
Beth grew up in Elkhart, Indiana and received her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialty in accounting from Davenport University. She is a current student at Wartburg Seminary in the Master of Arts Diaconal Ministry program and in candidacy to become a Rostered Minister of Word and Service in the ELCA. She is a mother of four children (Sydney, Marah, Finn (Ethan), and Matthew) and a grandma to one terrific grandson. She lives in Dows, IA with her husband, Dan, their two youngest children, three cats and one goofy dog.
TARA DEAN
Parish Secretary
Phone: 641-228-3397
My hometown is in Ness City, Kansas. After graduating high school, I attended Wartburg College to pursue a degree in Music Therapy and Music Education. My first teaching position was in Charles City, where I stayed for 21 years. For the next two years, I taught, and lived, at Central DeWitt Intermediate School while my family stayed in the Charles City area. My husband, Josh, is currently teaching his 22nd year in Charles City. My son, Blake, is just finishing up his Junior year and my daughter, Nathalia, is just finishing up her 5th Grade year, both in Charles City. We currently reside on an acreage just outside of Greene where we enjoy raising chickens and fainting goats. I have always been part of the Lutheran Church ever since I was born. My mother is a church organist at two Lutheran churches in Kansas, and my sister is a pastor at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE. I am so excited to begin working at St. John's Lutheran Church. I am looking forward to the type of work I will be doing as well as getting to be closer to my husband and children again. Thank you for welcoming me into this new role!
My hometown is in Ness City, Kansas. After graduating high school, I attended Wartburg College to pursue a degree in Music Therapy and Music Education. My first teaching position was in Charles City, where I stayed for 21 years. For the next two years, I taught, and lived, at Central DeWitt Intermediate School while my family stayed in the Charles City area. My husband, Josh, is currently teaching his 22nd year in Charles City. My son, Blake, is just finishing up his Junior year and my daughter, Nathalia, is just finishing up her 5th Grade year, both in Charles City. We currently reside on an acreage just outside of Greene where we enjoy raising chickens and fainting goats. I have always been part of the Lutheran Church ever since I was born. My mother is a church organist at two Lutheran churches in Kansas, and my sister is a pastor at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE. I am so excited to begin working at St. John's Lutheran Church. I am looking forward to the type of work I will be doing as well as getting to be closer to my husband and children again. Thank you for welcoming me into this new role!
Melanie Johanningmeier
Director of Music
Melanie Johanningmeier is our director of Music. She is the primary organist, director of choirs, and coordinates special music. She also accompanies on request. She says she’s very pleased to be able to offer her talents at St. John. When not making music at St. John, Melanie is a music teacher in the Nashua-Plainfield School District.
Carleen Laue
Assistant teacher, St. John Christian Preschool
Phone: 641-228-7274
Carleen Laue is our assistant teacher. Carleen and her husband Mike have two children, Hana and Joshua. They are members of St. John Lutheran Church.
Jamie Carolan
Head Custodian
Phone: 641-228-3397
jcarolan@stjohncharlescity.com
jcarolan@stjohncharlescity.com
“I live north of Charles City on my grandparents farm with my wife, Jesi. We have raised 4 children, Kristyn, Kaitlyn, Madi, and Trevor. Our family enjoys camping, fishing and racing together. I’m excited about my future with St. John!
