Central Conference – Carol Ann Ortegren (Salem Evangelical Church/Stromsburg) was a school administrator for over twenty years, both as an elementary principal and Director of Special Education for Educational Service Unit in Columbus. She is an avid quilter (prolific if not perfect). Carol and her late husband, Carrol, have three children, seven grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren (I always just say ten). Everyone lives in Nebraska. They all love quilts and antiques. She does a lot of volunteer work including being the past president of her local Women of the ELCA, an officer for Women’s Civic Improvement Club, and an officer in quilt guild. Carol is also on the board for our Senior Busy Wheels. She loves to attend her grandchildren’s school activities. She strongly believes that a little humor can help most any situation and enjoys making new friends.
High Plains Conference – Nancy Steele (Calvary Lutheran/Scottsbluff) has lived in western Nebraska for forty years after college graduation. She and her husband Bill just celebrated forty-five years of marriage. She is active in her local Women of the ELCA unit as Mission Community Chair, Board member, and Helping Hands coordinator. She has also been a Confirmation mentor, Stephen Ministry leader & minister, Bible Study facilitator, and shut-in ministry. Nancy has participated in the Spring Gatherings and Autumn Renewals and was a former Conference Coordinator. She has attended many of the Women of the ELCA Synodical Conventions often as a voting member; also been a voting member to the Nebraska Synod ELCA Assemblies several times, and once was a delegate to a Churchwide Assembly. In her community, she serves their local Cooperative Ministries Council as the Secretary/Treasurer and also the local annual CROP WALK organizer.
Metro East Conference – Emily Laaker (St. John’s/Bennington) has previously served at the Metro East Board Representative from 2005 to 2009. Being a delegate to Triennial Convention in Spokane was an honor. She has served several terms as president and secretary of St. John’s Women of the ELCA and is currently the secretary. She is also secretary of St. John’s church council, chairs the St. John’s Traditional Worship Team, and works with Cooks 4 Christ. She sings in the chancel choir and keeps track of the money for BennTown Gals. Emily is president of the Northern Douglas-Sarpy chapter of Thrivent.
Midlands Conference – Joyce Olson (Mark’s/Valley) is a grandmother of fourteen and great-grandmother of eight. (Only one lives further than twenty miles away). She still helps with accounting in the family business. She is an avid quilter and still clowns as “Ida-no” and teaches clowning. Joyce also enjoys reading, baking, sewing, and traveling when she has time.
Northeast Conference – Mae Greve (Salem/Wakefield) served as the chairmen of the Hospitality committee, president of Women of the ELCA, and serves on the memorial and visitation committees. Mae traveled to Tanzania on a Goodwill trip; and volunteers at Oaks Retirement Home, Meals on Wheels, and Senior Center. She loves to cook, entertain, and work with older people.
Southeast Conference – Michelle Steadman (St. Paul Hickory Grove/Auburn) is co-president of her church’s women’s group, active Circle participant, youth group leader, manages the LWR Coffee Project, and encourages congregational participation in LWR’s Eco Palms and Chocolate Project. She has been a Saved To Served participant and Youth Leader for the Mississippi Mission Trip in 2007 and traveled to Tanzania in 2010. She is a blood donor, helps with service projects through work and youth group activities. She is a computer programmer.
Southern Prairie – Carol Bosshardt (First St. Paul/Hastings) is involved in Hearts Alive worship leadership and circle membership. She provides Lutheran World Relief project leadership in her congregation as well as for the 2009 and 2011 Convention Servant Rooms and is on the 2012 Winter Retreat Planning Team. Before she became NSWO Southern Prairie Board Representative, she served on Spring Gathering Planning and Nominating Committees. Carol subs in the Kearney Public School System, has been a local and national Red Cross Disaster responder, and is taking organ lessons to redevelop some skills she hadn’t used for thirty years.