SFLS Board of Directors
JoAnn Hirsch, Chair
Faith Lutheran Church
Mrs. Hirsch began working in healthcare as a registered nurse in 1978. She is currently employed as the compliance officer and risk manager at Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital.
Dr. Dean Gesch, Vice Chair
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Dr. Gesch has a Ph.D. in Geospatial Science and Engineering from South Dakota State University. He is employed with the U.S. Geological Survey as a research scientist and, since 1992, has worked at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls. His two children graduated from SFLS in the early 2000s, and Dr. Gesch served on the SFLS board in the 1990s. He has also served in numerous leadership positions at his church and on the board of directors for the Sioux Empire Baseball Association.
Abby Breems, Vice-Chair
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Mrs. Breems graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in history and minors in sociology and business administration. She currently works as a customer success manager in the sales department at SONIFI Solutions, where she has been employed for the past 10 years.
Sarah Swingdorf, Secretary
Memorial Lutheran Church
BIO COMING SOON!
Tim Wagner, Treasurer
Resurrection Lutheran Church
Mr. Wagner has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. He has been employed by Sodexo for the past 37 years, during which he has served as a food service director, senior finance manager, contract management trainer, and most recently in contract management risk mitigation. He and his family moved to Sioux Falls in the Fall of 2019.
Dr. Mark List
Faith Lutheran Church
Dr. List graduated from Augustana College in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and went to medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, graduating with his M.D. in 2011. He finished his family medicine residency at the Sioux Falls Family Medicine Residency program in 2014.
Since then, he has been employed as a family physician at the Avera Medical Group at 69th and Cliff. He also serves as the Medical Information Officer for Avera Health. He has also served on Avera’s Mission Advisory Council and sits on the state of South Dakota Medicaid Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics committee.
His three children currently attend SFLS and he has coached middle school volleyball for the past three seasons. His wife also has volunteered and worked at the school, including coaching girls basketball for the past four years.
Yvette Lafrentz
Memorial Lutheran Church
Ms. Lafrentz is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, where she earned her B.B.A. in Economics. She went on to earn her M.B.A., while simultaneously earning her J.D., at the University of South Dakota School of Law. She worked in the private sector, practicing in the areas of water law, general business law, and family law. Over time she discovered that she prefers public service, having worked for the State of Montana and the State of South Dakota. She is currently an Assistant US Attorney for the District of South Dakota.
Paula Clemens
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Mrs. Clemens has worked in the banking industry for over 35 years. She has served on the Sioux Falls Lutheran School and Lutheran High School of Sioux Falls boards in the past, and has a son who attended Sioux Falls Lutheran School from preschool through 8th grade.
Matt Nussbaum
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Mr. Nussbaum graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a double major in Political Science and Law Enforcement. He went on to attend the University of South Dakota, where he received a Master of Public Administration degree with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration. He has worked in healthcare operations and analytics a majority of his career. Currently, he works for Sanford Health Technology Solutions managing the project management office. Mr. Nussbaum’s wife attended SFLS preschool through eighth grade. He is active on the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Council and has been the director of the handbell choir for roughly 12 years.
Jan Schmuck
Resurrection Lutheran Church
Mrs. Schmuck worked as a nurse at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls for 25 years. She and her husband, Al, are founding members of Resurrection Lutheran Church, which opened its doors in 1991. Her children also attended Sioux Falls Lutheran School.
Mary Ann Zinnel, Representative
Zion Lutheran Church,
High School Supporting Member
Mrs. Zinnel is a graduate of Wayne State College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She currently serves as an administrative assistant at Avera and previously served as a retail manager for 16 years. She attended a Lutheran grade school in Nebraska and has been a long-time supporter of SFLS. She also serves on our Endowment Committee and has been involved with various volunteering activities at her church.