Staff

Tim Wheatley

Thank you for stopping by to learn about the Light of Christ Lutheran Staff. I am Pastor Tim Wheatley. I grew up in Minnesota a pastor’s kid and with a mother who ran a home daycare. After graduation from Gustavus Adolphus, I went to the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago for seminary. I wanted to live outside Minnesota to see if that is what I wanted to do. It turns out it wasn’t, and when God called me back to Minnesota, I was thankful and here I have made my home with my lovely wife and four kids. We enjoy playing board games, reading, and camping. The Boundary Water Canoe area is probably my favorite place on Earth, and I have encountered a moose in the wild. Nothing reminds you of how big a moose is like having it stand next to your canoe. I love my role as pastor because it allows me to interact with people of all ages and backgrounds, entering their lives in the best and worst of times. My favorite Gospel is John, my favorite epistle is Romans, and as for the Old Testament, it is either Daniel or Genesis. I believe the church is in a time of growth and change, we need to be like the people in Acts: actively praying and trying experiments to see where God is leading us today. I am thankful to be here with the staff at LOC praising God and answering God’s call.

Kirsten Kelly

Director of Youth and Family Ministries - Kirsten.Kelly@locdelano.com

Hi, my name is Kirsten Kelly (she/her) and I love being a part of the LOC staff team as the Director of Youth and Family Ministry! My husband (Dave) and I have lived in Delano for 20 years and have 3 boys... Ben (18 yrs), Alex (14 yrs) and Drew (6 yrs). I have my BA in Youth and Family Ministry from Augsburg College and have worked in youth/children’s ministry for 25 years. I truly feel called to this work and feel incredibly blessed to work at LOC and in my hometown. I grew up in southern MN (Wells) and am the youngest of 3. My mom was a middle school counselor and my dad was an ELCA pastor (both are now retired) so I've grown up in the church my whole life. Dave grew up in Centuria, WI and is the youngest of 4. We met at Augsburg and have been married for 23 years. Dave has worked downtown at Ameriprise Financial for 25 years in tech finance. Our family enjoys camping, hiking, games, 4-wheeling, traveling, music and pretty much anything outdoors. The Kelly boys also enjoy deer hunting and I love to read, cook, sing, and spend time with friends. I work predominantly with Confirmation and HS Ministries but we are a small staff and all work togehter! I look forward to meeting you and your family and walking with you on your faith journey!

LaDonna Ekern

Director of Children and Family Ministry - LaDonna.Ekern@locdelano.com

I was born on July 5, 1958. I was raised on a farm outside of Perham, MN. I have an older sister and an older brother (Yes, baby of the family). I was married on June 12, 1982 to Jewel Ekern. We have 2 daughters, Hope and Dawn. Hope is married and has blessed us with 2 grandchildren. We moved to Watertown in November of 2020 and enjoy being closer to our children and grandchildren. My passion has always been working with children – whether it was as a daycare teacher, Christian Education Director, or in Children, Youth and Family Ministry. Children bring me energy and inspiration. I totally understand what Jesus meant when he said, “And a child shall lead them.” While my journey has taken me into the realm of ordained ministry—yes, I am a Pastor—I am excited to return to the area of ministry that is my passion, namely, Children’s Ministry. I look forward to being inspired by the children and families here at Light of Christ.

Katie Kohler

Worship and Music Director - Katie.Kohler@locdelano.com

I was born and raised in Minnesota. I began playing piano at the age of five, flute at the age of six, and added voice lessons to the mix when I was twelve. I became involved in church music around the age of nine when I began playing my flute in our church band. I became more involved as I got older, singing and playing for special music, and eventually subbing on keys/vocals for our music director.I attended the University of Minnesota for both my undergraduate and graduate studies in Flute Performance, getting my Bachelor’s of Music in 2014 and Master’s of Music in 2016. While completing my undergraduate, I held an Interim Organist and Interim Contemporary Band Leader position at my home church. That’s when I really started thinking about church music as a career. Up to that point I was shooting for an orchestral career. I struggled with that decision until I had my first official Music Director position while completing my Master’s Degree. I enjoyed my job so much I decided to go in that direction! I also found that music was my way of praising God, and having a position like that really left me fulfilled. Besides my musical endeavors, I enjoy reading, cooking, baking, dancing, writing, and hanging out with my cats, Murmur and Armin!

Terri Reuter

Office Administrator - Terri.Reuter@locdelano.com

Terri and her husband, Curt, joined Light of Christ in 2006. They have a son named Cooper. Terri grew up in Kensington, MN, home of the Kensington Rune Stone. She has worked in banking, human resources and office administration prior to her employment at LOC. Terri enjoys walking, biking, movies and music, and especially spending time with family and friends.