The Reverend Jennifer Olson
Pastor and Head of Staff
The Reverend Jennifer Olson started her ministry at Lakeside in September of 2022. She has previously served Presbyterian congregations in Kansas, Chicagoland, Indianapolis, and most recently, Denison, Iowa.
As a pastor, she believes that a good Sunday morning sermon will offer some guidance and understanding of how the Bible relates to our lives today. Pastor Jenn is a former elementary school teacher and her Sunday morning time with the kids on the steps of the sanctuary is one of her favorite places to be. She is an animal lover and sometimes has the “superpower” of finding lost animals and returning them to their homes.
Married to Eric, they share a love of movies, football (Go Hawks!), reading, gardening, 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles, and hiking. They plan to take up bicycling around the lake when the weather warms up. Pastor Jenn is passionate about Bowen’s Family System Theory, which she has studied intensely for the past seven years. Pastor Jenn has two adult children and Eric has three sons. They currently have 2 cats named Rocket (from Guardians of the Galaxy) and Biscuit.
Always ready for a cup of coffee and conversation, just say the word, and Pastor Jenn will be there!
Lynette Goodman
Administrative Assistant
Lynette Goodman is the first person that you see when you walk into the church every weekday. A warm hello and a smile from Lynette, our administrative assistant, will tell you that your needs will be well tended. Lynette is motivated to work every day because of her love of service to the people of the church. Lynette has many responsibilities, including maintaining all church correspondence and church records, preparing and printing bulletins and congregation publications, sharing emergency assistance resources with those in need, assisting with staff needs, and preparing financial statements for our Stewardship and Finance Committee. She does much, much more for all who come through our doors, and you will always find her cheerfully working on a project. She enjoys working with our members, and she appreciates that no two days of work are exactly the same! Lynette enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, attending musicals, and eating out. Lynette and her husband Jeff have two children, a son and a daughter.
Barb Wells
Director of Music
Barb Wells is the Director of Music at Lakeside. She has been involved in church music for her entire life, as a member of children’s and adult choirs, a director of youth choirs, organist, and director of adult choirs. Barb has achieved CCM status (Certified Church Musician) from the Presbyterian Association of Musicians. Barb loves worship planning and using music to enhance the worship at Lakeside. She spends her time with a lot of brainstorming to make the music at Lakeside meaningful and intentional, planning rehearsals, directing the Chancel Choir and the Tower Bells, preparing service music for Sundays and special services, playing for weddings and funerals, and providing service to the greater church. Barb is excited by congregational song, and enjoys the connections to the congregation through music. Barb’s hope is that Lakeside’s music ministry deepens the faith of every believer. Barb enjoys reading, exercising, dogs, musical theatre and traveling. Barb and her husband Mike, have one son.
Deb Sefcik
Custodian
Deb Sefcik is the custodian for our church, starting in February 2023. Deb has lived in Alta since 1993. She works an hour or two every day, completing her work in time to pick up her grandchildren from school. Deb enjoy working at LPC and gets satisfaction from seeing the church clean. She also appreciates the flexible hours. Deb has been married for 35 years, has 2 sons living in Storm Lake and Alta and 6 grandchildren.
The Reverend Duane Queen
Pastor Emeritus
The Reverend Duane Queen served as the pastor of Lakeside Presbyterian Church from 1979 to 2008 and was given the title of Pastor Emeritus in 2011 in honor of his lengthy and distinguished service. Duane looks back fondly at his time serving our church, with some of the many highlighted memories including: being there for the big moments of congregants’ lives, welcoming immigrant communities to Storm Lake, and the congregation giving time and money to missions. Some of Duane’s greatest joys in life include visiting his family, spending time with his horses, fishing, woodworking, and volunteering with Kiwanis. Duane and his wife Donna have three children and seven grandchildren.