Staff & Council

Church Staff

Erik Rundquist

Pastor

I grew up in Donnelly, MN and graduated from Morris Area high school in 2005. I double majored in History and English at Bemidji State University and graduated in 2009. My wife, Rachel and I were married in July 2010; and 2 days later I started summer Greek at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA. I served as Vicar (Pastoral Intern) at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Warren, IL from June 2012 to August 2013 for internship. I then graduated from seminary in May 2014 with my MDiv (Master of Divinity degree). I was called and started serving Svea Lutheran Church on June 1, 2014.

Deb Portinga

Parish Secretary

Kari Stadem

Organist

Kari has been Svea's church musician for 10 years. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Svea, spending 10 years away from the area getting her college degree (with a minor in Vocal Music), traveling with a Christian singing & drama group, and serving as a youth director through Tentmakers at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in La Crosse, WI. Back in the Svea area with her husband, Pete, to raise their 7 children, she has enjoyed leading Sunday School music, directing the Luther League dinner theater music, playing the organ and piano for worship, coordinating the praise teams, and leading groups of singers and instrumentalists occasionally.