LEADERSHIP
Suzanne How
Pastor
Ordained in 2017, I am a second career Pastor. After serving in the United States Marine Corps for 27 years (including 3 tours in Iraq), I wanted to realize my dream of studying the Bible and theology in graduate school. While I was working on a Master of Arts in the New Testament, I felt the call to ordained ministry and completed a Master of Divinity degree at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN.
My first call was in rural Gage county at a two-point parish for 4 years. I was transitional associate pastor at First Lutheran in Lincoln for 6 months before being asked to serve as transitional minister for American Lutheran in Oct 2022. I was called to be the Pastor of American Lutheran Church in October of 2024. I love leading worship, preaching on the Scriptures, teaching, and working with others to keep activities fresh and fun. I most enjoy being part of a congregation that loves to be in connection with God and each other, and in service to the community and wider world.
Ian Hartfield
Youth Ministries Coordinator
Ian serves as the part-time Youth Ministry Coordinator at American Lutheran Church while also working full-time as an Engagement Leader with Thrivent Financial, partnering with churches and nonprofits to strengthen their impact in the community. Ian brings more than 20 years of youth ministry experience to his role and is known as a high energy, program builder who helps create meaningful opportunities for young people to grow in faith and find their purpose.
Ian lives in Gretna with his wife, Meeghan, an OPS teacher, and their two daughters, Alexa and Ella. He enjoys exploring national parks, discovering local history, catching live music, cheering on the Huskers, and serving as the volunteer Nebraska Synod Archivist.
Stacy O'Brian
Council President
Stacy and her husband, Bobby, moved to Ashland in 2017 and have enjoyed being part of ALC faith family and the Ashland community. They have two children, Bo (age 5) and Natalie (age 3).
Stacy is from Axtell, Nebraska and a graduate of UNL. Her career background is in healthcare sales and account management which she parlayed into corporate event planning, logistical coordination and incentive program planning and development. She is now living her dream and having the time of her life raising her children. Bobby is a Financial Advisor with Raymond James in Omaha.
Stacy loves spending time with family and friends, hosting events, playing outside with her children, going on walks and traveling.
Stacy is looking forward to serving the congregation.
Suzy Nootz
Council Vice President
Suzy and her husband, Ryan, moved to Ashland in 2019 after being active members of SouthWood Lutheran Church in Lincoln for 12 years. They have two sons, Conner (16) and Jaxon (14), who keep their family busy with school, activities, and sports. Faith and family have always been important foundations in Suzy’s life, and she is grateful to now call American Lutheran Church home.
Originally from Franklin, Nebraska, Suzy earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Nebraska Wesleyan University. Her career has been centered on serving and caring for others. She spent eight years working as a hospital RN and another eight years managing and operating assisted living and memory care communities. She currently serves as the Director of Practice Operations for Primary Care Clinics at Methodist Health System.
Suzy has truly enjoyed becoming part of the ALC community and appreciates the strong sense of support, compassion, and connection the church offers its members and the Ashland community. She looks forward to continuing to grow in faith alongside the congregation and helping create opportunities for others to feel welcomed, connected, and involved.
In her free time, Suzy enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, and relaxing at the lake.
David Nygren
Council Treasurer
David grew up in Mead, NE as a member of Alma
Lutheran. Then he moved to Ashland and became a member of ALC when he married Shari Washburn in 1984. They have 3 kids – Kelsie (32), Brandon (28) and Katelyn (28). Currently he is working for NTTData Services as an Actuarial Consultant for the development team. David loves the people of ALC and how they care for each other and our community.
Jaime Thimm
Council Secretary
Jaime has been married to best man she knows, Brian, for 22 years. They have twins Will and Reese (12) and a bonus boy Wyatt(10). She has been a critical nurse at Bryan Health for 23 years and has side gigs as a substitute nurse at AGPS, Mary Kay Consultant, and strength training instructor at The Brickhouse.
This season of Jaime's life is all about her kids, so she soaks up as much time as she can watching sports, cooking, and traveling with them. She and her family have built an incredible community of friends since moving and enjoy spending time with each other as families. She loves Diet Dr.Pepper, dogs, books, traveling, and nature.
Jaime reaffirmed her faith and her relationship with Jesus after a long battle with addiction. She has been sober for 13 years. She continues to sponsor and speak out about addiction and mental health in hopes others know they are not alone. She is excited to see what God has in store for her at ALC and the growing youth program.
Andrew Loges
Council Member
Andrew is married to his best friend Annie, and together they have three children, Ryleigh, Reese, and Royston. The Loges Family have lived in Ashland since 2010. Along with playing the piano for ALC, he is a craftsman for Salt Creek Farmhouse. Andrew finds great joy in the act of being creative, whether it is playing music or building furniture. He often fee ls a strong sense of God’s presence in church. What Andrew enjoys most about ALC is the opportunities to deepen his roots in his relationship with God and the community through the book studies offered, and men’s group.
Jack Frans
Council Member
Jack has been married to Rhonda for 46 years. They have 3 children and 8 grandchildren, with another on its way. He retired in 2021 from sales in the turf and ornamental industry. He enjoys traveling and spending time with grandkids. He loves exploring new places. Hiking, walks and fishing are his favorite things to do.. He and Rhonda joined ALC in 2019. They love the Church and members. Christ has always been the center of their lives. He is looking forward to serving ALC.
Mark Hohensee
Council Member
Mark has been a member of American Lutheran Church since 1988 when he married his wife Bev, who has been a member since birth. They have three adult children–Nick, Josh and wife Erin, and Kelli and husband, Austin Allington and 5 grandchildren–Jackson and Hallie Hohensee, Rhett, Adley and Brooks Allington. He was an Assistant Manager at Mead Lumber Company for 35 years and then worked for the Ashland-Greenwood Schools as the maintenance person for the elementary school and the grounds for both schools. He and Bev retired from the school in 2022 and enjoy babysitting their grandchildren every day. He enjoys traveling, doing woodworking, handyman jobs, the Huskers and watching other sports. This church is very important to him and he likes to help wherever it is needed.