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.

Dorothy Sandahl
Associate Pastor

It is human nature to want to know about that new person on staff so here is a little information.

Dorothy Sandahl, born in St. Paul, (Dorothy Hagen, mother) grandparents Mable and Henry Gess of Hampton. So I spent some time running around Hampton as a young child.

I went to Mechanic Arts High School, then onto the U of M and finally Metro State (graduated 1977). After my life settled down a little, I met and married an awesome man named Harvey who was raised in the rural area near Alexandra, MN. So, with a degree in Management, we moved to the rural areas of McIntosh/Erskine, MN where I was the Administrator in Long Term Care for 12 years.

Longing for the big city yet enjoying the rural, we came back down and moved to Cannon Falls in 1988 where we attended St. Ansgar. God was tugging on my heart back then, sending me in a new direction in life. I was not sure what that was, so I started research for starting a business, a bookstore. And when God wants something to happen, it all falls in place. I opened Just Thinking…Bookstore in Hastings where I found it was not about business but about listening to people. People come to bookstores for solutions, enjoyment, relaxation, friendship…many reasons. So I learned about the people of Hastings and grew to love them all.

Meanwhile, I still dabbled in Long Term Care and assisted in starting the new apartments at Regina Hospital and Care Center. Needless to say, you get worn out after 12 years with books, so God brought a buyer for the bookstore. I knew I wanted to get my Masters Degree; I thought in Social Work. But an employee told me to check out seminary so when I visited there, they had a duel degree in Social Work/theology. Two degrees for the price of one and I could learn some words to work with the churches. But it was not to be for after the first year, the Social Work program was closed to me. Now what?!?

Keep putting one foot after the other, I was told. So I did. During a Worship class, I realized this was what I was supposed to do. Not me! Clergy are those pious people and that is not me! I sought out any one that would listen to my objections and none of them allowed me to run from this call. So I rushed through all the processes, committees and approvals to catch up. During my third year, internship, I learned all the stuff Pastor’s do, but I also learned through the people that indeed, God was not mistaken. I was in the right place to share God’s words with people. I never knew how rich a life it could be, how frustrating, how spirit lead, and that God is in charge.

So God has brought me to you after four years of seminary to fill in, meet people’s needs and listen and grow to love all of you. What a kick! My heart is overfilled with joy in this opportunity. Thank you all for welcoming me into St. Ansgar.

D. W. Surine
Christian Education/Youth Director

DW is originally from St. Paul, Minnesota.  He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in theater arts focusing on writing and directing.  Aside from theater, DW is very musical and plays guitar, piano, saxophone, kazoo, and does sing a little.

dwsurine@frontiernet.net

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 28, Jedd 27, Katie 24, Kelly 22, Betsy 14, Yogi 7. AnnMarie enjoys running, scrap booking, reading, gardening, horses, camping, spending time with friends, family and children.

stansgars@frontiernet.net