Heather Hammer – President
Name: Heather Hacker Hammer
Spouse: Married to Spencer for the last 19 years.
Where we live: New Ulm
Family:
We have 2 daughters, Olivia and Violet. Olivia is a senior at MVL and she plays Volleyball, Basketball and runs Track. Violet is a sophmore at MVL and she plays Volleyball, Basketball and runs track. Spencer farms in Madison, South Dakota and we own A to Zinnia Floral & Gifts in New Ulm.
Are you or your spouse an MVL Alumni?
I graduated from MVL in 1995 and my brothers graduated in 2001 and 2003. We attended St John’s Lutheran Grade School in Sleepy Eye. My mom Lynn Hacker graduated from Fox Valley High School in Wisconsin.
Why did you choose to send your kids to MVL?
Spencer went to a public high school, after interacting with MVL as the kids were going through St Paul’s, it was an easy choice for us to make to send our kids to MVL. We know how important our faith is to us, and how desperately we need it go get through the ups and downs of our daily life, the hard times and the good times. We want our children to grow in faith and their knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to prepare them for their heavenly home. We were also looking for the superior education that MVL offers.
Why did I choose to serve on the MVL Booster Club committee?
I grew up in a family that taught me how to serve your community. It is important to get involved and meet other parents, some of the relationships we have made will be life long friendships. We believe strongly in what MVL has to offer families and want to do whatever we can to help move this school forward and to help it flourish. Even though we are a very busy family, we prioritize serving MVL in any way we can.
Angie Brau – Vice President
Name: Angie Brau
Spouse: Married to Rob
Where we live: Arlington
Family:
Three children:
All attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Arlington
Son, Leyton – MVL class of 2021, Daughter, Kerigan – MVL Class of 2024, Son, Pierson – current MVL Junior
Are you or your spouse an MVL Alumni?
Our children are our first-generation Chargers :) Rob and I both attended government/public schools.
Why did you choose to send your kids to MVL?
We chose MVL for its academic rigor and overall high standards regarding accountability and behavior. MVL’s Christ centered approach and world view align with ours at home. Add to that MVL’s tuition price point is around half the average cost of MN High Schools, it was a very easy “yes” for us from every single angle.
We love how the school day is calm, controlled, and safe for our children. The best part is knowing our children pray with their friends, coaches, teachers, peers, and administrators daily, enriching their faith and relationship with Christ.
Why do I choose to serve on the MVL Booster Club committee?
I want to help make MVL the very best it can be so current, and future families can be richly blessed by MVL like we have been!
Sara Schauer – Secretary
Name: Sara Schauer
Spouse: Married to David
Where we live: New Ulm
Family:
Two daughters:
Marley is an MVL graduate (Class of ’26). Vivian is a Sophomore at MVL and plays volleyball and
runs track.
Are you or your spouse an MVL Alumni?
We are both alumni! David – Class of 1992 and Sara Drexler Schauer Class of 1994. That ages us!
Why did you choose to send your kids to MVL?
The abundant blessings that MVL provides. Each day students are given the gift of growing in their faith and having a moral compass to direct them through difficult times. While we kept the options open for our kids to decide their high school education, they both unanimously wanted to attend MVL!
Now having a child in college, we are so grateful for the academic standards that were established at MVL to make the transition easier. We will never regret the Christ centered education and anchor of our faith in Christ t to navigate in such a “chaotic” world.
Why do I choose to serve on the MVL Booster Club committee?
I grew up watching my parents spend their free time helping service clubs and was raised to volunteer and give of my time and talents. I enjoy being involved, love meeting new people, worked in the fundraising field for many years and know the work Booster Club does is important. It really is fun and rewarding!
Katie Eckberg – Treasurer
Name: Katie Eckberg
Spouse: Joel Eckberg
Where we live: Mankato
Family:
Our oldest son Aiden is a Senior this year at MVL! Talen is a Freshman at MVL and Avery is a 4th
grader at Cornerstone in Mankato.
Are you or your spouse an MVL Alumni?
We are not alumni.
Why did you choose to send your kids to MVL?
We chose to send out kids to MVL because we wanted them to have a Christian education and we knew MVL would provide them with lifelong skills for a Christ centered life.
Why do I choose to serve on the Booster Club committee?
I love to volunteer my time and talents, especially for my kids’ schools when I can. I think it’s important to show our children the importance of giving back as well. It’s been a great place to meet so many wonderful new faces!
Benjamin Springer – Volunteer Coordinator
Name: Benjamin Springer
Spouse: Michelle Springer
Where we live: Mankato
Family:
Four kids – Zeke (Sophomore), Chi (8th Grade), Hope (6th Grade), Seth (1st Grade)
Are you or your spouse and MVL Alumni?
Neither of us graduated from MVL, but we both have first-hand experience with our Lutheran
high schools. I graduated from Nebraska Lutheran in 2001, and my wife graduated from Michigan Lutheran Seminary.
Why did you choose to send your kids to MVL?
We were committed to sending our kids to an area Lutheran high school from early on. MVL has the added blessings of academic and extracurricular services that have been the answer to many of our prayers for our children as we transition from the grade school years to high
school and beyond.
Why do I choose to serve on the Booster Club?
I saw a very good and faithful group of parents that needed help. I'm excited to pitch in and work with everyone to continue providing excellent opportunities for all of our MVL students.
Londa Krueger – Concessions Coordinator
Name: Londa Krueger
Spouse: Rick Krueger
Where we live: Rural North Mankato
Family:
We have three children: Tyla, Levi and Nora
Are you or your spouse an MVL Alumni?
We are not. Nora is the only MVL attendee.
Why did you choose to send your kids to MVL?
We love Jesus and want it to be a priority for our children. We like the class sizes and Christian focus that MVL brings. Tyla and Levi
attended Mankato West HS and after 2020 we decided we needed to deviate from our public school system. Nora started Mt. Olive in 7th grade and we’ve never looked back!
Why do I choose to serve on the MVL Booster Club committee?
I have seen all the great work the Booster Club has done and understand that takes time and volunteers. I’m at a season in my life which allows me to dedicate time to serve in this capacity. Serving others and getting to meet others has been a great blessing.
Jennifer Lendt – Concessions Coordinator
Name: Jennifer Lendt
Spouse: Timothy Lendt
Where we live: Courtland – we live on Hwy 14 just east of MVL about seven minutes!
Family:
We have three children. Philip is a Junior at MVL and Ahna is a freshman. All our
children attended Trinity Lutheran in Nicollet where our youngest Laven is a 6 th grader.
Are you or your spouse an MVL Alumni?
No, I became a WELS member in 2003, and Tim went to school in Sanborn (Red Rock Central). All of Tim’s cousins on his dads’ side are MVL graduates. Tim and I met at Beacon Campus Ministry at Minnesota State University Mankato in college.
Why did you choose to send your kids to MVL?
I teach in the toddler room at Jesus Loves Me Learning Center sharing God’s word with little children every day. Our faith has always been at the forefront of our family. We want Jesus to be first in our children’s lives, and MVL has been a blessing to help us along the way.
Why do I choose to serve on the MVL Booster Club committee?
I wanted to be part of MVL Booster Club to help support MVL in a more intimate way. My children are all athletes, and in
multiple activities. This along with our close location to MVL made being a Concession Stand Coordinator a great fit.
Misty Utendorfer – Events Coordinator
Name: Misty Utendorfer
Spouse: Paul
Where we live: Gaylord
Family:
Children: Megan – MVL sophomore and Natalie Is a 7th Grader at Immanuel Lutheran
Are you or your spouse an MVL Alumni?
We are not.
Why did you choose to send your kids to MVL?
We chose MVL because we want our girls to have the best opportunities to continue to grow in their faith and have a Christ centered education, that will bless them throughout life.
Why do I choose to serve on the MVL Booster Club committee?
I chose to be on the MVL Booster Club committee because we are called to share our time, talents and gifts. I love to be involved and support such activities that the Booster Club offers. No better way than to be present in His presence and giving back.
Di Lyngholm – Events Coordinator
Name: Di Lyngholm
Spouse: Derick
Where we live: Eagle Lake
Family:
A son and a daughter. Christian is a sophomore at MVL and plays co-op Soccer. Elyse is an 8th grader at Cornerstone Lutheran School in Mankato.
Are you or your spouse an MVL Alumni?
Neither of us are MVL alumni. We are both from the suburbs of the twin cities. I was a public school kid, but Derick went to St. Croix Lutheran and then Bethany Lutheran college where he is now a Comms professor and men’s soccer coach.
Why did you choose to send your kids to MVL?
My son knew early on while at Mt. Olive, and hearing about MVL through visits to Mt. Olive, that that’s where he wanted to attend. Derick enjoyed his time at St. Croix and is a professor and men’s head soccer coach at Bethany Lutheran College. Early on, we’ve wanted to give our kids the option to attend MVL.
Why do I choose to serve on the MVL Booster Club committee?
I have a full-time career as VP of Product and Growth at a NYC based software company, have some passion product side hustles, as well as serving as an ongoing United Way committee member for Community Impact and several fundraising events.
The Booster Club gives me a way to get more involved in my kids’ programs beyond being a chauffeur and cheerleader while lending my skills to the school.
Dave Biedenbender – Faculty Representative
