I officially graduated from Luther Theological Seminary in December of 2023, with a Master of Divinity, having enrolled in the fall of 2017. That enrollment came five months after I entered the doors of Central Lutheran Church in downtown Chippewa Falls and decided that I had found my faith home in the teachings and beliefs of the Evangelical Church in America.

I currently live in Chippewa Falls with my wife Stacy – who I married in 2022 – and my identical twin sons, Jack and Clark, who live with me half the time. We also have a cat, Bailey, who is about six years old.

In my past, I earned two undergraduate degrees. The first of which was a Bachelor of Arts – which I received in print journalism from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire in 2001. That degree led to me working as a sportswriter for The Chippewa Herald for approximately four years, before I decided to take a job with Hutchinson Technology Incorporated in 2005, working there until March of 2011, when I was laid off with approximately 200 other workers. That layoff led me to my second degree, a Bachelor of Science in vocational rehabilitation, which I received in 2013.

That second degree led to me working for Workforce Resource, Inc. (WRI) – out of the Job Centers in both Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire – for nearly nine years before I left to begin my internship for seminary in October of 2022. During my time with WRI, I worked as a case manager for multiple employment and training programs, grant writer, and eventually facilitator for the Windows to Work program. It was in the Windows to Work program that I taught classes on job search and cognitive behavioral intervention at Stanley Correctional Institution and Chippewa Valley Correctional Treatment Facility.

I am originally from Sparta, Wisconsin, and some of my family still lives there, including my older brother Aaron and his family, along with my stepmother Mary, and a few aunts and uncles. I also have an older sister, Kelly, who lives in Onalaska with her family, along with a younger brother, Lukas, who lives in Altoona. My extended family also includes: a half-sister, Robin; a stepsister, Shanna; a stepbrother, William; and an adopted brother, Brian.

My faith formation has experienced many variations and differing traditions, as well as a three-year period of unbelief – which went alongside the first of two divorces. But in March of 2017, I found my home in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America when I started attending Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls.

In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with my family, playing video games, occasionally playing guitar and singing as a part-time gigging musician, taking walks and listening to other preachers talk about Jesus Christ.

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 25+ years of experience.  I grew up in a Presbyterian Church, with my father being the Pastor. I think this has been very helpful in my role in the church at ELCB!  

I have a 27-year-old daughter, Makaya, who is an Art Teacher at DeLong Middle School in Eau Claire.  I also have a 8-year-old son named Greyson, who is going into Third grade! He is a charmer and is as sweet as can be.  I feel very blessed to be their Mom!  

My favorite thing to do is spend time at our family cabin in Iron River, WI. I also enjoy doing yard work, painting, beading jewelry, crocheting, up-cycling furniture and doing art projects with Greyson (we like painting rocks).  

My faith journey started on September 28, 1979, when I was baptized. My grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles all have (or had) a very strong faith so they have all had a significant role in my faith journey and I am so appreciative of them and the upbringing they gave me. 

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.”

I am a life long Lutheran, growing up in Superior, Wisconsin and attending Sunday School, church services, confirmation, youth group, junior and senior choir at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, where I was also baptized.  

I attended UW-Superior and graduated in 1971 with a degree in Medical Technology.  I worked at St. Luke’s in Duluth until Jack and I moved to Eau Claire in 1974 and I began an almost 40 year tenure at Luther Hospital, now part of the Mayo Health System. 

In the mid-1990's, I went back to college at UW-Eau Claire and received my accounting degree.  Fortunately, there was an opening in the Finance Department and I made the switch from Immunology to Income Statements.  

I retired in 2012 and I am thankful that I can continue doing the work I love as volunteer bookkeeper at ELCB. 

I am still happily married to Jack after 50 years, and we are the proud parents of two sons, Phillip and Daniel.  Now we are immensely enjoying watching our five grandchildren be children of God!

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.