Gary Schulz
Senior Pastor

Pastor Gary was ordained June 6, 1975. He has served in two congregations prior to beginning his ministry at St. Ansgar's in April of 2002. His wife Debbie is an elementary education teacher and teaches ESL (English as a Second Language) in Kenyon-Wanamingo and Cannon Falls. Debbie is also an organist and choir director. The Schulz's have three children, all out of high school. Their oldest child, Christel, is a music teacher. Their second child, Joel, is married, lives in Colorado, and works for an oil company. Their third child, Sarah, is pursuing a degree in social work.

God has been faithful and He has richly blessed our lives! We give Him all the glory and praise for His hand of guidance and blessing. The many people, we have come to know and love through the years, have filled our lives to over flowing with joy. We press on to serve our personal Lord and Savior in complete humility.

Carol Sinykin
Associate Pastor

I am filled with anticipation, excitement, and joy as I begin my call with you at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church.  I look forward to getting to know all of you. As time goes on, no doubt, you will get to know me better, but here is a little introduction. I grew up on a hobby farm in northern Minnesota with three sisters and a brother. Zion Lutheran in Grand Rapids was my church home. It was the center of our family life as I grew up. After high school, I attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Medical Technology. In the middle of those college years, I married my husband, Stu.

In 1981 I started working in the clinical laboratory as a medical technologist at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis.  A couple of years later, in 1983, we were blessed with the birth of our first child Daniel and then blessed again and again for each following years 1984 and 1985 with the birth of two more sons, Andrew and Alexander.   

In 1991 life changed as I went to work for a company that manufactures test kits for hospitals.  INCSTAR was a great company to work for but God was at work calling me to ministry.  Finally in 1999, I started taking classes at Luther Seminary. 

I was called as a part time associate pastor at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Mounds View a little over one year ago. As Pastor at Abiding Savior my focus was on youth and education. Now you have called me to Cannon Falls. God has been at work preparing me for work in ministry, both through life experience and formal training. But God has been especially at work creating a passion, the passion to help others grow to know Christ. I look forward to sharing that passion and to all that God has in store for us as we move ahead in ministry together.

Carie Dicke and Stephanie Bowen
Christian Education Directors

AnnMarie Otto
Office Administrator

AnnMarie enjoys working in the office at St. Ansgar's Church. She is married to Dan Otto. They live on a farm outside of Cannon Falls, where they raise beef cattle. Dan and AnnMarie have six children, Josh 29, Jedd 28, Katie 24, Kelly 23, Betsy 15, Yogi 9. AnnMarie enjoys running, scrap booking, reading, gardening, horses, camping, spending time with friends, family and children.

stansgars@frontiernet.net