Staff

Thanks be to God that as we begin a new millennium, we have redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ! He has indeed lavished His grace upon all the members of the body of Christ at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. It is our prayer that the Word of God and the sacraments continually keep us in the true faith. May our Lord Jesus bless and keep you.

	Pastor Karl Ziegler was born February 14, 1959 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Anna Ziegler currently of Omaha and the late William Ziegler. He was baptized in April 1959, at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In January of 1963, his family moved to Omaha. He was confirmed at King of Kings Lutheran Church in May of 1973. He is a 1977 graduate of Omaha's Westside High School. Pastor Ziegler attended Concordia College, Seward, Nebraska. He graduated from Concordia College in 1981 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. He also holds a Master's degree in Counseling from Creighton University, and a colloquy certificate from Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Pastor Ziegler has served in the following parishes: DCE Internship and DCE/Teacher from 1980 -1983 at Redeemer - Denver; DCE at Divine Shepherd Omaha from 1983 - 1992; Vicarage and Associate Pastor from 1993 - 1997 at Emmanuel - York; and Pastor from 1997 - 2002 at Zion - Worms. Pastor Ziegler is married to the former Mary Beth Heider of Grand Island, Nebraska. They have three children: Rachel, John and Katie. Contact Pastor Ziegler at: PKZ@1st-Lutheran.org
	Pastor Ron Benson was born on March 22, 1958, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Edgar and Mary Benson. He was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church on May 11, 1958, and confirmed on May 21, 1972, at St. Paul Lutheran Church. In 1976, Pastor Ron graduated from East High School in Sioux City, Iowa. Pastor Ron attended Concordia College, Seward, Nebraska. He graduated from Concordia College in 1981 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and also with Director of Christian Education certification. He also holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Nebraska in Kearney, and a colloquy certificate from Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Pastor Ron has served in the following parishes: Cross Lutheran, New Braunfels, Texas (DCE Internship 1979-1980); St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Kansas ( DCE 1981-1984); Peace Lutheran Church, Columbus, Nebraska (DCE 1984-1998); Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska (Vicarage and Associate Pastor 2000-2005). Pastor Ron is not married. The Good Lord has blessed him with four brothers and sister-in-laws and two sisters and a brother-in-law; 12 nieces and nephews, and 2 great nephews. Contact Pastor Ron at: PastorRon@1st-Lutheran.org
	Diana Weston has been assisting First Lutheran Church since May of 1984. She is in the office Monday through Friday, and can answer any questions you may have regarding services and church activities. Contact Diana at DianaWeston@1st-Lutheran.org
	Karen Prelerson (left) is our lead teacher at Preschool. She is a graduate of Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska, with a degree in elementary education. Her teaching experience includes five years of teaching in kindergarten and other elementary grades. This will be Mrs. Prelerson's second year with First Lutheran Preschool. She is married and has three children. Contact Karen at 402-339-1178. Chrys Senger has been working as a teacher's assistant at First Lutheran Preschool for the past year. Judy McWilliams has been working as a teacher's assistant at First Lutheran Preschool for the past 2 years.