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 Director and 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.
Kristen's first call was to start a preschool and teach music and Spanish at St. Mark's Lutheran School in Milford, Ohio. She was called to Ascension in 2009 to serve as our third/fourth grade teacher. In 2011 she became our director of music. Then in 2012 she also became our preschool director.
Preschool Teacher Christa Gullidge
Christa Gullidge is our prekindergarten teacher. She grew up in Seattle, Washington. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Music and Professional Church Work from Concordia University, Portland, Oregon in December 2011.
Prior to coming to Fort Wayne, Christa was a substitute teacher in Portland. The move to Fort Wayne from the Northwest was due to her husband Jason pursuing his calling to the pastoral minstry. He is a first year student at Concordia Theological Seminary.
Second and Third Grade Teacher Laurie Bartelt
Laurie Bartelt received her Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana Wesleyan in 2010. She was a substitute teacher and served as a teacher aide for Fort Wayne Community Schools. She also substituted in the
Fort Wayne Lutheran Schools and Huntington County Schools.
Laurie has been a member of Ascension since she was in the third grade. She was in the first fourth grade class when the school opened and attended through her eighth grade year. She attended and graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School.
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.
First Grade Teacher Allison Huston
Ascension’s first grade teacher is Allison Huston. Allison graduated from Concordia University, Chicago with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She joined the Ascension faculty in 2012 and is beginning her tenth year in the teaching ministry. She is currently working on a Master's Degree in Literacy from Concordia University, Nebraska.
Allison commented, "I love the enthusiasm that first graders bring to the classroom and enjoy seeing them grow and develop as readers throughout the year."
Allison and her husband Scott moved from Memphis, Tennessee in 2012 and are looking forward to settling into the Fort Wayne area and being closer to family.
Fourth Grade Teacher Mrs. Laurie Behnfeldt
Laurie Behnfeldt graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in astronomy. She has taught second, third and fifth grades and most recently special education.
Laurie and her husband Craig and kindergarten son Aaron moved to Fort Wayne from Ohio in the summer of 2012. She enjoys gardening, riding bikes, and hiking with her family. She and her family are excited to be a part of Ascension Lutheran Church and School.
Fifth and Sixth 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.
Seventh and Eighth Grade Teacher Katie Ervin
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.
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.”