A Challenge is Met

Kompelien became interim lead administrative pastor while a new senior pastor was sought.  The search proved a major challenge for the call committee, and one that lasted 18 months.  In December 1984, St. Mary’s much-admired former youth pastor, George Carlson decided against accepting a call.  In March 1985, the committee reported it had contacted 11 possible candidates.  In June, it had interviewed six prospects; the following month, committee members interviewed three more candidates. 

Meanwhile, in April, Pastor Dave Meissner announced he was leaving to accept a call to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukesha.  An associate pastor at St. Mary’s for 11 years, he was sorely missed and is fondly remembered by the congregation.  At special meeting in October 1985, a Letter of Call as senior pastor was extended to the Rev. Robert L. Anderson.  A mature minister, nearly 60, Anderson brought a wealth of experience, leadership and understanding to the post, his sterling career having included well established parishes in Minnesota and elsewhere.  He was installed by Bishop Peter Rogness on Jan. 12, 1986.

St. Mary’s called its first woman, the Rev. Cynthia Hodges as associate pastor for youth, young adult and leisure ministries in September in September of 1986.  Recently ordained, the Minnesota native received her Master of Divinity degree from Luther Northwestern Seminary in Minneapolis.  Three years later she assumed new duties, serving as education and youth pastor, and in 1993, assumed a new name, marrying Steven Aaasen.

The year 1989 was a year of goodbyes for St. Mary’s parishioners.  Betty Heide retired after 18 years as parish worker., volunteer coordinator and Friendly Center director.  She was replaced in November by Gail M. Musolf, a deaconess from St. Helen, Mich.  A former teacher, Musolf became a deaconess after a year of theological study and an internship, and when she arrived at St. Mary’s, she was one of just 17 Lutheran deaconesses in southeastern Wisconsin.

The church also said sad farewells to Pastor Dave Hall, who had been in important part of the pastoral team for eight years.  He left on February 28, 1989, called to Trinity Lutheran Church in Ventura, California.

In 1991, the Rev. Justin Silvius joined the pastoral staff.  Pastor Joe, as he came to be known, was a man of music, widely appreciated for his “piano ministry” that combined preaching with a jazzy accompaniment and an approach, serious and humorous by turn.  He would be a full-time minister for six years, then retire in 1997 to continue as part-time visitation pastor for St. Mary’s.

Saddest of all was the loss, on Feb. 17, of the Rev. Doctor Lawrence Siersbeck, who died at his home at age of 87.  His long time friend and former pastoral associate, Ray Pedersen spoke for all St. Mary’s members when he said, “He possessed a character that is rare in people – he loved everyone from all walks of life.  He will be missed by all of us who loved and respected him; and he will leave his impact on all of us!"         

St. Mary’s had a fire in 1990, but a welcome one – the burning of the mortgage for the $425,000 additional dedicated in May 1975.  But after 15 years of growth, more construction was needed.  Planning for a new addition began.

On July 22, the Rev. Paul T. Burrow, who’d graduated from the seminary only two months earlier, was installed as St. Mary’s youth pastor, filling an associate post vacant for a year and half.