Staff
Rev. Dr. John C. Stube, pastor
Pastor Stube was born and raised in northern Idaho, enjoying all the benefits of the great outdoors in the Rocky Mountains. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in Bacteriology/Ecology from the University of Idaho (fresh water ecology) and then with a graduate degree in Microbial Ecology from Utah State University (hyper-saline ecosystems). Following a stint with a USDA research laboratory, he entered Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana to study for the Holy Ministry. Following graduation, he held pastorates in Colorado and Utah, and since 1989 has been Pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne. Pastor Stube earned a doctorate in New Testament Biblical Studies from the University of Durham, England, in 2002. He enjoys outdoor sports, especially fishing and bird hunting, and is an avid reader of western Americana and historical biographies.
Principal Tommy Franke
Tommy Franke became the principal of Ascension Lutheran School in 2003. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s degrees in elementary education and educational leadership from Indiana University, Fort Wayne. Additionally she received a colloquy degree from Concordia University, Ann Arbor. A native of Terre Haute Indiana, Tommy has more than 25 years’ experience as a Lutheran school teacher.
“It is my privilege to serve as the principal of this Christian school, a place where children grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” says Franke. “My goal as principal is to ensure that Ascension Lutheran School is a place where children will experience a safe, loving, well-organized environment where they will grow in Christ and receive an excellent education. I thank God for the opportunity to serve Him and His children through my role as a Lutheran school principal and teacher.”
Preschool Teacher Kay Baker
Kay Baker was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hanover College. Upon returning to Fort Wayne, she met and married Tom Baker. The couple has three sons who are graduates of Ascension Lutheran School.
Preschool Teacher Mary Walker
Mrs. Mary Walker has a certification in Early Childhood Education from Arapaho Community College. She has been certified as a teacher by the American Montessori Society. She has taught and also been in a director in Montessori preschools since 1968. Mrs. Walker and her husband Jim have two children and one grandchild, Sara, who is a student at Ascension.
Kindergarten Teacher Tonya Alliger
Tonya attended Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri. After graduation, Tonya taught primary and upper elementary students in both public and Lutheran schools, but left full-time teaching for several years to be at home with her children. In 2005, Tonya and her family moved to Fort Wayne and she joined the faculty at Ascension in 2006. In December 2008, she completed a Master’s of Education from Concordia University, Seward, NE with an emphasis in literacy.
Preschool teacher Amy Paul
Mrs. Amy Paul is 2009 graduate of Concordia College in Bronxville, New York, where she received a Bachelor's Degree in early childhood education. Last year she taught first and second grade at Mount Hope Lutheran School in Casper, Wyoming. Mrs. Paul's husband Rob is attending Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne.
First and Second Grade Teacher Katherine Wentland
Ascension’s first and second grade teacher is Katherine Wentland. A native of Texas, Katherine is a long time Indiana and Fort Wayne resident. Katherine received an associate’s degree from Concordia Junior College, Austin, Texas, a bachelor’s degree from Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois, and a master’s degree from Indiana University. She has taught students in pre-school through high school.
Third Grade Teacher and Music Director Kristen Whirrett
Kristen received a Lutheran Teacher’s Degree and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood and a minor in Instrumental Music from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska in 2004. In November of 2007, she received a Master of Education from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Fourth and Fifth Grade Teacher Darin Koenemann
Darin Koenemann grew up in the Fort Wayne area and attended St. John Lutheran School (Flatrock) and Concordia Lutheran High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with minors in music and math from Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1999. He also received his Master’s in Education in educational leadership from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska in 2005. He is also active in the Concordia Theological Seminary Schola Cantorum.
Sixth, 
Seventh and Eighth Grade Teacher Katie Dinkel
Katie was baptized and confirmed at Ascension Lutheran Church. She attended Concordia Lutheran Grade School and Concordia Lutheran High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education in Social Studies from Indiana University in 2005 and her Master of Science degree in Sports Administration from Marshall University in 2009. Katie previously taught seventh grade social studies in Greenfield, Indiana for four years and coached numerous sports, such as softball, basketball, and cross country.
Part-time Third Grade Teacher Barbara Zabel
Mrs. Barb Zabel has been a substitute teacher for several years at Ascension, following a career of over 15 years teaching at Concordia and then Beautiful Savior Lutheran Schools. She has a Bachelor's Degree from Martin Luther College and a Master's Degree from Indiana University. She and her husband Bill have three children.
Mrs. Zabel states that she "loves the atmosphere and people she's come to know at Ascension and is delighted to be assisting Mrs. Whirrett on the days she is teaching music."
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Church Secretary Colleen Daily
Colleen Daily has been our church and school secretary since January of 2006. Colleen attended Ball State University where she met her husband Scott. They have 2 sons who are graduates of Ascension and started their schooling here the year the school opened. Colleen commented, “I love working here. I think it is a lot of fun. It doesn’t even seem like work because everyone is so nice. I love working with the kids. It is great to be part of the ministry here at Ascension.”