Pastor Rick Biedermann Email: pastor@elcbateman.org Cell Phone: 515.229.6193
I was born in Orange, Texas but moved to Grundy Center, IA when I was two and lived there until 4th grade when we moved to Ankeny, IA which is where I graduated from high school. I went to Wartburg College in Waverly, IA and graduated with a major in Social Work. I then went to Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA where I received my Masters of Divinity. My father is a retired Lutheran pastor. I come from a long line of Lutheran pastors: fourth generation on my mom’s side and fifth on my dad’s. I have a younger sister and brother who live in Minnesota and Spain.
I met my wife, Nancy while working two summers at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp in Iowa. I was a counselor and she was one of the camp nurses. Nancy graduated from St. Olaf with a nursing degree. She worked a few years as a nurse but then became a paraprofessional in the school system working mostly with kids with special needs.
We have two adult children, two grand-daughters plus a grand-dog. Our oldest, Steven is married to Lindsay and they have two daughters, Alice Pearl and Violet Noelle. Steven is an ELCA pastor in Cottage Grove, MN. Our daughter, Rachel has her Master of Arts degree in Youth and Family Ministry. Her husband, Lucas Holsten is serving his first call as an Associate Pastor of a Lutheran church in Jamestown, ND.
My faith journey began when I was baptized Jan. 18th, 1959. My faith was nurtured by parents, grandparents, Sunday School and Confirmation teachers and Bible Camp both as a camper and counselor. I felt called to be a pastor while in college. My favorite verse is Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
I have served as a solo pastor, youth and family pastor and education pastor at churches in WI (near Viroqua and in Marshfield) and in Iowa (Cedar Falls, Ankeny and Burlington.) Hobbies include: riding bike, going on walks, reading (fiction and fantasy/science fiction), watching and cheering the Packers and watching movies. We enjoy spending time with our family.
Laurel Boyer Administrative Assistant Email: admin@elcbateman.org Cell Phone: 715.828.5596
I have lived in Chippewa Falls most of my life. My family moved to here when I was in 2nd grade from Duluth, MN.
I have an Administrative Assistant-Associate Degree from Chippewa Valley
Technical College as well as 20+ years of experience. I grew up in a Presbyterian Church with my father being the Pastor. I feel this has been very useful coming into a church office as I already knows the ins and outs.
I have a 25-year-old daughter, Makaya, who is an Art Teacher in Eau Claire. I also have a 5-year-old son named Greyson, who is a
kindergartener this year! He is a charmer and is as sweet as can be. I feel very blessed to be their Mom!
I enjoy doing working out in the yard, painting, beading jewelry, crocheting, up-cycling furniture and doing art projects with Greyson.
My favorite bible verse is Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Nancy Nerdrum Organist/Accompanist Email: nerdrunl@gmail.com
Nancy Nerdrum is the organist/accompanist for English Lutheran Church of Bateman. She is retired from her long time position as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools in the Chippewa Falls School District. She grew up on a farm north of Withee, Wisconsin and took piano lessons since she was a third grader at the insistence of her mother. She has been playing the piano ever since. She started taking organ lessons 1990 and played the organ at various churches in the area. She has been an organist at ELCB since 2006. She believes music is one of the most important parts of church service and she enjoys leading hymns with her energetic style. When she is not practicing, she is spending time in her garden, sewing or working on her Norwegian genealogy research. She resides near Lake Wissota State Park with her husband, Tom Meyer and cat, Minnie.