Both Pastor Solyst and Carol, his wife, graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Solyst received his Master of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, and his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Luther Seminary in St. Paul.

Carol Solyst is a graphic artist. Mark and Carol have three children.

Pastor Melinda Pupillo began her call as Associate Pastor at English Lutheran Church in August of 2005. She received her Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in May of 2005. Prior to attending seminary, she served as the Family Life minister at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Salem, OR. Pastor Pupillo also served for two years on Youth Encounter musical ministry teams to the U.S. and South America. She received her B.A. in Spanish and Theology from Valparaiso University in Indiana.

Pastor Melinda grew up just outside the northern city limits of Chicago, and much of her family still lives in that area. Go Bears. Since moving to La Crosse, she has met and married the love of her life, Greg Pupillo, who is a neurologist at Franciscan Skemp. She and Greg live with his two cool sons and a furry dog, Ally. Melinda is thrilled to be making her home in La Crosse amidst the bluffs of the Mississippi River, and you will find her out hiking and kayaking every chance she gets.

Vicar Lauren Carlson has joined the staff here at English Lutheran for her internship year (Aug '09-Aug '10) as part of her seminary education. She has completed two years at Wartburg Theological Seminary and will return there in the fall of 2010 to complete her Masters of Divinity degree. Prior to starting seminary, she received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Although she grew up in various places around the southeast, she calls the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC home.

Lauren is married to Paul Carlson, who serves as a pastor at two churches in Soldiers Grove and Readstown. Although she appreciates their quiet country life, Lauren is looking forward to being involved in the vibrant ministry that she sees happening here at ELC.

Pastor Baardseth graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He received his Masters of Divinity from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN.

Pastor B's wife, Grace, is a retired beautician. She worked for twenty one years at the Bethany St. Joseph Health Care Center. The Baardseth's have five grown children and eleven grandchildren. Pastor B enjoys hobby farming, golf, and the southern sun for a few weeks each winter.

Mark has an undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. He completed a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and a Master of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menominee, Wisconsin. Mark has had parish experience in Eugene, Oregon, as well as in Beloit, Wisconsin. For the past 23 years Mark has been employed at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare as a chaplain and family therapist. He currently is full time at Franciscan Behavioral Health as a clinical therapist and is appointed to that position by his bishop. Mark is a Board Certified Chaplain, a clinical member of The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and is licensed by the State of Wisconsin as an Independent Clinical Social Worker and a Marriage and Family Therapist.

Paul and Lori have two children. Lori is an employee of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse College of Health and Science.

Prior to joining the staff at English Lutheran, Niki worked at Wettstein’s for 12 years in different areas of the company, but primarily in the Parts and Service Department dealing with warranties. She developed and implemented the Wettstein’s Extended Protection Plan program.

Niki received an Associate’s Degree in the field of Travel and Tourism from AIC in Davenport, Iowa.

Niki and Dave have 3 children, Andrea, Anthony, and Caroline, a Pug puppy named Captain and a kitty named Zooey. Dave is employed with American Eagle Airlines at the La Crosse Airport. In her spare time, Niki enjoys sewing, photography, creating scrapbooks, reading, golfing, boating, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Cara joined our staff in November of 2008. She and her husband, Jon, moved to LaCrosse in 1991. They have been members of English Lutheran since 1992. Cara grew up in Monona, Wisconsin which is located on the east side of Madison. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and her Master of Science degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.

For the past eight years Cara served on the leadership team of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), an interdenominational/ international Bible Study. She looks forward to providing support for the varied ministries and programs at English Lutheran as well as for small groups and their leaders. Prior to living in LaCrosse Cara taught students with learning disabilities in three school districts in Wisconsin from l984 – l99l.

The Hartfields have 2 children, Phillip and Kathryn. Jon works as a Research Engineer at Trane Co. in LaCrosse. Cara’s interests include hiking, biking, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Lori Dubczak joined English Lutheran as Organist/Pianist in the fall of 1998. Lori holds degrees in Piano Performance and Business Administration from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and has served various churches and denominations since 1982.

In addition to serving as Organist/Pianist for English Lutheran, Lori is also the owner of Key Note Studios in Onalaska. Lori's husband Jim is the General Manager for Panera Bread Bakery and Cafe, also in Onalaska. They have two children, David and Chelsea.