ELDERS - CLASS OF 2022
CAROL BLOEMER
Carol Bloemer began attending Westminster as a child and is nearing 60 years as a member. She has been a Sunday school teacher, volunteered from VBS, and currently serves with Sue Cull as Church Archivist. She is married to Bill Bloemer, Emeritus Dean and Professor of chemistry at UIS, and mother to Elizabeth Marcy, and grandmother to Mia. Carol is retired from Sangamon State University/UIS. She received her B.A. from Sangamon State in literature. She volunteers with District 186, a past member of Rochester Public Library District Board, and currently serves on the Friends of Brookens Library at UIS.
Carol Bloemer began attending Westminster as a child and is nearing 60 years as a member. She has been a Sunday school teacher, volunteered from VBS, and currently serves with Sue Cull as Church Archivist. She is married to Bill Bloemer, Emeritus Dean and Professor of chemistry at UIS, and mother to Elizabeth Marcy, and grandmother to Mia. Carol is retired from Sangamon State University/UIS. She received her B.A. from Sangamon State in literature. She volunteers with District 186, a past member of Rochester Public Library District Board, and currently serves on the Friends of Brookens Library at UIS.
DR. KATIE CARLSON-EASTVOLD
Katie was born in the upper Peninsula of Michigan and grew up in Washington State. She majored in English at Whitworth University (PCUSA) and completed her PhD. In Nineteenth Century British Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill. Before marrying Jonathan in 2018, she was an Assistant Professor of English at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. Now she is writing full time, and hopes to send her completed book to her literary agent before delivering her first baby in February 2020. She is stepmom to Charlie, Kristianna, Kate, and Juliana Eastvold, and enjoys photography, travel and her litter-trained house rabbits.
Katie was born in the upper Peninsula of Michigan and grew up in Washington State. She majored in English at Whitworth University (PCUSA) and completed her PhD. In Nineteenth Century British Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill. Before marrying Jonathan in 2018, she was an Assistant Professor of English at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. Now she is writing full time, and hopes to send her completed book to her literary agent before delivering her first baby in February 2020. She is stepmom to Charlie, Kristianna, Kate, and Juliana Eastvold, and enjoys photography, travel and her litter-trained house rabbits.
ADAM EKSTEDT
Adam Ekstedt is a Radioactive Material License Reviewer and Inspector for the IEMA Division of Nuclear Safety. He received his B.A. in Chemistry from Northern Illinois University. Adam has been married to his wife, Chelsea, for six years, and they have two boys, August and Roscoe. When he is not chasing August on his bike or debating with Roscoe which pair of socks to wear, Adam enjoys playing his guitar, relaxing with family, reading, and catching up on his tv shows when the boys are asleep.
Adam Ekstedt is a Radioactive Material License Reviewer and Inspector for the IEMA Division of Nuclear Safety. He received his B.A. in Chemistry from Northern Illinois University. Adam has been married to his wife, Chelsea, for six years, and they have two boys, August and Roscoe. When he is not chasing August on his bike or debating with Roscoe which pair of socks to wear, Adam enjoys playing his guitar, relaxing with family, reading, and catching up on his tv shows when the boys are asleep.
JUDY RIDINGER
Judy is a retired professional nurse and parish nurse of 10 years with Westminster. Judy received her B.A. from University of Charleston, A.D in nursing from Lincoln land Community College, and M.A. in nursing from University of Illinois Chicago. Judy has served previously as a Deacon and Elder at Westminster.
JOHN STAFFORD
John Stafford is retired from the FBI and Caterpillar. He grew up in Jacksonville, graduated from Illinois College and Southern Illinois University School of Law. It is in his good fortune to be married to Lucy (Preckwinkle) and together they share adult daughters, Marissa and Jill. John and Lucy enjoy their horses – Sangria, Maverick, Bristol, and Two Buck Chuck; K-9 companions – Gunnar and Liz; and a demanding barn cat named Calli.
John Stafford is retired from the FBI and Caterpillar. He grew up in Jacksonville, graduated from Illinois College and Southern Illinois University School of Law. It is in his good fortune to be married to Lucy (Preckwinkle) and together they share adult daughters, Marissa and Jill. John and Lucy enjoy their horses – Sangria, Maverick, Bristol, and Two Buck Chuck; K-9 companions – Gunnar and Liz; and a demanding barn cat named Calli.
CAROLYN SWANSON
Carolyn Swanson retired as a French teacher from Springfield High School. She earned her B.A. from North Central College and an M.A. in Educational Administration from U.I.S. She is married to Brad Swanson, who is the retired General Manager of WUIS. They have two married children, Meridith and Greg and three granddaughters, Kate, Lily and Caroline. Carolyn is an active volunteer in the community and has served on several boards. She enjoys traveling, stitching, cooking and reading. She is currently the president of a book club that was founded in 1910. Carolyn has served as a deacon at WPC and is a advocate for the Bridges Program.
Carolyn Swanson retired as a French teacher from Springfield High School. She earned her B.A. from North Central College and an M.A. in Educational Administration from U.I.S. She is married to Brad Swanson, who is the retired General Manager of WUIS. They have two married children, Meridith and Greg and three granddaughters, Kate, Lily and Caroline. Carolyn is an active volunteer in the community and has served on several boards. She enjoys traveling, stitching, cooking and reading. She is currently the president of a book club that was founded in 1910. Carolyn has served as a deacon at WPC and is a advocate for the Bridges Program.
PETE VANGIESON
Pete VanGieson is a retired claims adjuster. He received his B.A. from Ball State University. Pete is married to Jeanne, and they have 2 adult children, Kelsey (Jeremy) Baier and Shelby VanGieson. He served one-year on the Board of Directors of Helping Hands and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.
Pete VanGieson is a retired claims adjuster. He received his B.A. from Ball State University. Pete is married to Jeanne, and they have 2 adult children, Kelsey (Jeremy) Baier and Shelby VanGieson. He served one-year on the Board of Directors of Helping Hands and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.
BILL WARD
Bill Ward is a retired copy editor, feature writer, and section editor from the Herald & Review in Decatur for 39 years. He received his B.A. from Northern Illinois University. Bill is currently a caregiver for his friend, Bob Richardson. His passions in life are music, art and history, his church, and God. Bill served on the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee for Rev. Choi.
Bill Ward is a retired copy editor, feature writer, and section editor from the Herald & Review in Decatur for 39 years. He received his B.A. from Northern Illinois University. Bill is currently a caregiver for his friend, Bob Richardson. His passions in life are music, art and history, his church, and God. Bill served on the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee for Rev. Choi.