OUR STAFF
Kroonblawd
Rev. Robert Burmeister
Vacancy Pastor
I am the oldest of six children and was raised on a farm near Waconia, MN. I started my education at Trinity Lutheran School in Waconia and continued at Lutheran High School in Mayer. Then I went on to Concordia College in St. Paul, Concordia Senior College in Ft. Wayne, IN, and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1973.After seminary we started out at Campbell and Nashua, MN, churches and filled vacancies in the North and South District.
I also spent more than twenty years as a chaplain in the Army Reserve, including active-duty deployments in Iraq and Kuwait and in Panama with the U.S. Army South, retiring in 2008. I received the Army Commendation Medal and Bronze Star Medal while serving in Iraq.
My family includes my talented and lovely wife, Sharon, and our six children. I enjoy tennis, golf, photography, hiking the trails in our area, cross-country skiing, flower gardening, and Sharon and I enjoy family activities with the children and grandchildren.
In closing, the pastor's prayer of Martin Luther resonates very much with me: “Lord, You know how unworthy I am to fill so great and important an office. Were it not for Your counsel, I would have utterly failed long ago. Therefore, I call upon You for guidance. Gladly will I give my heart and voice to this work. I want to teach the people. I want always to seek and study Your Word, and eagerly to meditate upon it. Use me as Your instrument. Lord, do not forsake me. If I were alone, I would ruin everything. Amen.”
I attended St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Edina, Minneapolis Lutheran High School in Bloomington, and Concordia University in Portland Oregon. I taught 5-8th grade students at two Lutheran school and also coached basketball, volleyball, and cheerleading. For 17 years before becoming principal at Trinity Lone Oak, I was a teacher, assistant director, and director of a preschool. My husband, Terry, and I enjoy spoiling our dog, Newton.
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My favorite Bible verse is: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 I love this verse because it teaches me to always give thanks to God in everything I do. This verse shows me that I should have a God-centered approach to life, where every action and word is done in the name of Jesus with a thankful heart. It reminds me that everything I have comes through Jesus Christ.
What brings me the greatest joy in working in a Christian setting is doing outreach projects that teach the kids how to share God’s love with others. To watch kids, realize what a difference they can make in another person’s life is truly amazing.
It’s rewarding to share the Gospel every day in my vocation. I get to meet interesting folks who are seeking to know Christ and follow His will for their lives. My husband and I are grateful our four children could attend TLO School, benefitting greatly from the Christian instruction in their school day. We feel blessed to have TLO as our church home.
In addition to playing organ for services, I enjoy accompanying church and school music groups, and coordinating the Young Investors program at school. I also enjoy teaching piano lessons, and am blessed by staying active in Bible study. My husband, Layne, and I have two sons who are graduates of TLO School.
Amber
Poppe
Administrative Assistant
Amber joined the Trinity Lone Oak School family August 2024. She loves working in such a supportive and welcoming environment that cares about the people they serve. She's enjoying getting to know the staff, parents, and students, and is very thankful for God's guidance leading her here.
My greatest joy in working in a Christian setting is leading uplifting worship services. The sound of joyous singing while I’m playing gives me a great sense of accomplishment. I have over 40 years experience and am excited to play at Trinity Lone Oak.