Meet Our Staff

Rod Quanbeck, Executive Director
New to Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp in the summer of 2007. For the last 19 years, Rod served as the Director of Ministries at Park River Lutheran Bible Camp in Park River, N.D. Rod is a magna cum laude graduate of Moorhead State University, Moorhead, MN, and a Certified Camp Director with the American Camp Association. Rod and his wife Cryss are parents to Emily who is currently a 3 year old and a future camper for Ingham Okoboji.

Jim and Allison Sunde, Ingham Director
Jim and Allison have served Ingham Lake Bible Camp since the Fall of 1997; Jim as the Ingham Director and Allison as the assistant. Their love for outdoor ministry was kindled when their family was young, managing Camp Patmos in northern Minnesota for 11 years. They have three daughters who grew up surrounded by camping ministry, and two grandchildren who add joy to their lives.  Together they work to direct and develop Ingham as a place to draw campers unto a walk of Faith in our Lord Jesus.  To contact them at Ingham call 712-867-4170 or email ingham@rvtc.net.

Rachel (Twait) Dean, Director of Advancement
Rachel has had a long history with camp—she started coming as a camper when she was in third grade. After graduating from camper status, Rachel worked as a counselor and then full time in the office from 1993-1995. Rachel enjoys scrap booking, being outside, NASCAR, cooking, photography, spending time with her dog, Lil’ Bit, and her husband, Cory. Her favorite Bible verses are 1 Peter 1:8-9, and she likes working at camp because of the people with whom you’re able to express your faith daily. She loves the camp and encourages the past staff come around and see the camp!   Contact Rachel at rachelt@okoboji.org.

Deanna Fritsch, Housekeeping
Deanna is in charge of Housekeeping here at camp. After working at camp from 1998-2000, she came back on full time in February of 2004. Originally from Spencer, Iowa, Deanna is married to Dave and has three sons: Noah, Jakob, and Isaac. Also rounding out the family are their pets: one dog, two cats, and Roger the snake. While Deanna is not so fond of the snake, she does enjoy walking everyday with her dog, Ashley, and also likes taking her boys to the beach in the summer. Her favorite Bible verse comes from Psalm 9:1, “I will praise you, O Lord, with all of my heart.” Deanna enjoys working at camp because of the people and the flexibility.

Pam Gjerde, Accounting Manager
You’ll know which office is hers because it’s the cleanest, least cluttered of all the offices! She came to the camp in June of 2002 and we love having her here. Pam chose Psalm 118:24 as her favorite verse. Her favorite quote is, “You are the only person on this earth who can use your ability.” Thanks for using your ability here, Pam!

Chad LeStrange, Director of Maintenance
Chad came to the camp in September of 1993. You may have seen him in a movie or two under the alias of “Mad Dog!” After many years as the Food Service Director, Chad has moved to Maintenance in the spring of 2007. Chad enjoys all types of racing. Chad chose Job 4:3-6 as his favorite verse.

Steve "Mitsu" Bishey, Art Services
Steve first started working at camp the summer of 1983, when he was a counselor. He earned an art degree with illustration emphasis and a drama minor from Weaver State in Utah. After the summer of 1985, Steve came on staff full time at the camp and has served in various capacities since then. He’s worked in the kitchen, done maintenance, housekeeping, and currently does large-scale banner work, photography, and is the in-house computer technician. His life verse is Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” In his spare time, Steve enjoys Beta testing for video games, experimenting with food (he’s an amateur chef!), and playing percussion in the worship band. He maintains that “The main thing is to keep the main thing [Jesus] the main thing.” Contact Mitsu at okoboji@okoboji.org.

Betty Parrish, Office Ministry
Betty's job here at camp is “decorative and office ministry.” She began working at Okoboji in January 1982. At that time, only five people were on staff, so they were called on to do anything and everything, but Betty now specializes in office work and decorating for special camp events. She and her husband Fran have two daughters and three granddaughters; Betty loves being a grandma! A former hairdresser, Betty also loves antiques, decorating, spending time with friends, and singing in the choir at First Lutheran Church in Milford, where she is an active member. Her favorite Bible passage is Psalm 51, which emphasizes daily renewal in the Lord. Betty loves working at camp because of the people in ministry—the growth that happens in a group of believers of all ages.

Chris Reid, Registrar
Chris has recently relocated here from the Minneapolis Minnesota area.  He began his ministry with Y.W.A.M. as a missionary serving in 4 major cities in Australia.  Then he served two summers in Auckland New Zealand, Kona, Hawaii and in Spanish Harlem New York City, NY.
Chris also served with EPPIC ministries for 5 years. EPPIC is a Christ based theater company that toured both nationally and internationally.  Pull up their website, that’s him as the face of EPPIC international.  He was granted a four year full ride scholarship to Boston University’s Music Conservatory Program where he pursued a degree in Music Education and Theater.  Up until this past spring, he worked with Central Minnesota Arts Grants Council, a program that brings fine arts to primary and secondary schools.
Chris was really impressed by the staff’s “Christ first” spiritual atmosphere when he served as a cook and part time lifeguard this past summer. It really is like a family here.
He quotes Neh. 10:8b as his favorite verse “…and may the joy of the Lord be our strength.”

Tammy Ryker, Administrative Assistant
Tammy has served as the Administrative Assistant here at Okoboji since January of 1997. Originally from Moline, Illinois, Tammy and her husband, Jerry, have lived in the Lakes area since 1991. They have three children and three grandchildren (with another one on the way). Tammy is quite involved at First Lutheran Church in Milford, where she has served on several committees. She used to raise dogs and horses, but her interest is currently piqued by scrapbooking, other paper crafts, and helping with Via de Cristo, a Christian retreat. Tammy likes working at camp because of her glimpse of camper interactions and seeing changes in the people who come. Contact Tammy at tammyr@okoboji.org.

Jane Wiest, Retreat Coordinator
Jane has worked at camp since the spring of 2002 and currently serves as the Retreat Coordinator here at Okoboji. A former teacher originally from Sioux City, Iowa, Jane has attended Cottey College, Oklahoma State, and the University of Texas, and has degrees in Family Relations & Child Development and Special Education, as well as a master’s in Special Ed. Jane and her husband Charlie, an attorney, have two children, Katie and Michael. Jane enjoys remodeling, gardening, scrapbooking, tennis, pottery, knitting, and walking. She cites John 15 as her favorite Bible passage and likes working at camp because it’s a place where you can make a difference. Contact Jane at retreat@okoboji.org.

Dan Antoine, Director of Programs
Dan hails from Luverne, Minnesota. He worked summers at camp while attending Augustana College, and after graduating with a degree in Elementary & Middle School Education, joined the full-time staff the fall of 2005. He and his wife, Allison, also on staff here, have been married since August 26, 2006. A big fan of pizza, Dan is adept at playing the guitar, writing music, drawing on an etch-a-sketch, and doing word games & puzzles. Psalm 40:1-3 is his favorite Bible passage because it reminds him how much God has done for him. Dan’s favorite thing about working at camp is helping people understand that this whole “faith” thing, this “God” thing is so much more than a twice-a-week activity—it is living truly. It is worth living and dying for. It means everything.

Allison Antoine, Travel Team, Day Camp Coordinator
After working as a counselor the summer of 2006, Allison joined the year-round staff the fall of 2006. She serves on the Program Team as the videographer and a travel team member. Allison hails from the St. Cloud, Minnesota, area. She attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, from which she graduated with degrees in French & Modern Foreign Languages and Secondary Education. On August 26, 2006, she was married to Dan Antoine, “the greatest husband in the world,” who is also on staff here. Allison’s favorite Bible verse is 2 Corinthians 3:17 because “the power of Christ has set me free,” she says. Allison loves music (she plays piano and drums), being in nature, languages, traveling, and people.

Elizabeth (Lizz) Buchan, Youth Ministry Team
Lizz is from Spencer, Iowa and is currently a part-time student at Iowa Lakes Community College. She started working at camp in 2005 as a junior counselor and has had various positions at camp since then. She presently serves at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer, IA. Her favorite book is currently “The Shack”. Her favorite food is strawberries, and pretty much anything with strawberries in it. A random fact about Lizz: she has one pointed ear and one round ear. Her favorite bible verse is Matthew 6:34.

Melissa Charles, Youth Ministry Team
Melissa is very excited to be a part of the Youth Ministry Team again this year!  She spent the summer at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp as a Senior Counselor and enjoyed every minute of it.  Melissa is from Tomahawk, Wisconsin, which is in the northern neck of the woods, and she currently serves at Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake, IA. She loves to sing, dance, play games, be silly, and make people smile.  Her favorite game is Skip Bo, and her favorite bible verse is James 1:2-4.  We pray that God continues to use her throughout the year!

Erin Evans, Youth Ministry Team
Erin is from Alden, IA and is currently serving at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon, IA. She graduated from Wartburg College with a degree in Marketing and Accounting. Erin has worked on camp staff since the summer of 2005 and this is her second year as part of the YMT staff. Erin’s favorite color is green and her favorite food is delicious, delicious bread. Her favorite childhood memory is playing hide and seek in the round hay bales on her family’s farm. Her favorite bible verse is Lamentations 3:21-23.

Tim Ruby, Youth Ministry Team
Tim hails from Jackson, MN and is serving at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal, IA and Hope Lutheran Church in Everly, IA. He as an associates in Graphic Design from Iowa Lakes Community College. He notes “acid lime green” as his favorite color and his favorite childhood memory is building snow forts and riding big wheels. His favorite bible verses are Romans 7:15 and Romans 12:2.

David Sorensen, Youth Ministry Team
David is originally from Glendale, AZ and currently serves Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer, IA. Though he just came on staff this past summer, he continues a long family history of ministry at this camp. He has a (healthy) obsession with everything Disney but he says “The Jungle Book” is his favorite. His favorite bible verse is Philippians 2:14-16.

John Schomberg, Youth Ministry Team
John grew up on the mean suburban upper middle class streets of Houston, Texas where he excelled at sports and hanging out. At a mere three years old the Lord called him out of the mild beautiful winters of Houston and into the cold, blistery cold winters of the Midwest. While growing up in the Midwest, John served on a ministry team, worked as a camp counselor, and spent two years working in church ministry. He currently serves at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sibley, IA. When he is not serving in a ministry capacity, he can be found reading books about theology and Christian living, watching movies, or taking road trips around the Midwest to see his friends and family. His favorite bible verse is chapter 15 in the book of John.

Aaron Weston, Youth Ministry Team
Aaron grew up in Callender, Iowa and is currently serving as the youth director at Bethany Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg, Iowa.  Aaron recently graduated with an Elementary/Middle Level Degree from the University of Northern Iowa.  During his free time, he likes to roam the streets of Gotham city and smite evildoers where he finds them… or he could really enjoy reading, video games, movies, and hanging out with friends.  His favorite Bible verse comes from Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”