Our Staff.

Director

Stephanie Treder has been the director of Little Lions since July 2024. She graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with a double major in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. For the majority of her ministry, she served in California. She was assigned to Reformation in San Diego as the preschool director and teacher. She also served at Apostles in San Jose as a preschool teacher, before and after care coordinator/teacher, and a second grade teacher. Before serving at Little Lions, she served as the director of St. John's Lutheran Child Care in Jefferson, WI. She is married to her husband, Chris, and they have a cat named Mika. She enjoys outdoor adventures like hiking and camping, learning about different cultures by immersing herself in them, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite thing about working at Little Lions is sharing Jesus with the kids and watching their faith grow!

PASTOR

Benjamin Phelps ("Pastor Ben") was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and lived in Plymouth, Wisconsin, for most of his childhood and teenage years. He is a 2014 graduate of Martin Luther College and a 2018 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. As a student he gained experience assisting 7 different churches in Wisconsin and North Carolina. Upon completing his seminary studies in, he was assigned as pastor to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kenai, Alaska. In April 2023, he accepted his call to serve as associate pastor at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Marathon, Wisconsin.

Ben and his wife, Molly (formerly Graumann), are blessed with two daughters, Emma and Ava, and a son, Silas. They also share their home with Kevin, a yellow lab.

Ben is currently a doctoral student in the reduced residency program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where he is working towards a Ph.D. in historical theology. He currently serves on the WELS 175th anniversary committee. Pastor Ben is interested especially in 19th-century Lutheranism, and has written several award-winning papers and journal articles on the topic. He is also the founder and host of The Lutheran History Podcast.

PASTOR

Pastor Hadler has been serving at St. Matthew since June 1999. He received his master’s degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI, graduating in 1990.

Infant 1 Lead Teacher

My name is Mary. I have been teaching in childcare since 2009. I have an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education. My family includes my husband Brandon, our son Michael born Jan. 2023 and our 2 cats, Pepper and Elsa. When I'm not at work snuggling babies, I enjoy family time and relaxing. I also enjoy traveling when possible.

TODDLER 2 LEAD TEACHER

Hi, my name is Sirin. You can pronounce it like Shirin. I’m originally from Turkey and I was living in Madison before I moved up here. My hometown in Turkey is Mersin, right on the Mediterranean Sea. I really have a big passion for traveling, learning languages and cultures. I’ve been to 13 countries so far, and I would love to add more in the future. I studied English Language and Teaching at the college and have been working with kids since 2021. I love any jobs including kids since I blossom when they’re around me. What brought me Wausau? Well, simply, love. My fiancé is from Wausau and I am planning to live the rest of my life here now! 

TODDLER 3 LEAD TEACHER

Rebecca grew up in Sturgis, Michigan and attended Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, Michigan, to prepare her for Martin Luther College. Rebecca's past teaching experience in college included teaching with the Center for Urban Education in Milwaukee for two summers. Her recent employment was at the Martin Luther College Early Childhood Center as an assistant, after she finished student teaching there. Rebecca's enjoyment of young children led her to attend Martin Luther College, where she majored in early childhood education. On May 14, 2022, Rebecca graduated and received her first divine call from Martin Luther College.

Rebecca was raised by her grandparents, Marvin and Janet Shields. Rebecca looks forward to going on trips with her grandparents on their motorhome or when they drive the motorhome to visit her.

Rebecca has taken many classes and has spent multiple years in the classroom to become a teacher. She is excited to share her knowledge with the children finally. The number one thing she is really excited about is that she gets to share the love of her Savior with the children and their families.

Preschool 4 Lead Teacher

My name is Denise Grondin and I am currently going to NTC for Early Childhood Education. I started here at Little Lions in September 2023 as an assistant teacher. I became the lead in Preschool 4, September of 2024. And loving every minute of it…. Yes, even the moments that are not so fun! 

I live with my husband and two dogs, Miss Nova, the husky and Miss Willow, the dachshund., here in Marathon. I have five children, four step children and one of my own. Their names are Michelle, Tristian, Matthew, Michelle, and Jean-Lucien (Yes, there are two Michelles). Also, I have six grandchildren, Wyatt, Tucker, Easton, Johanna, Maci, and Arlo. They are the apple of my eye!!!

In my free time, I enjoy painting rocks and hiding them throughout the Wausau area to let others find them. I love going camping with my husband and Arlo. As well as hiking with my fur babies.

Preschool 5 Lead Teacher

Hello! My name is Jessie Hunt. I graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Martin Luther College. I have spent the last 7 years in a preschool classroom, the most recent as preschool director and teacher at a school in Omaha, Nebraska. This will mark my 8th year in the classroom! This summer, my husband Nathan, and I moved back to Wisconsin after several years away. We both grew up in Wisconsin and are excited to be back closer to our own families. We moved here with our dog Timber who we enjoy walking around the neighborhood. When I am not at school, I spend most of my time outdoors, gardening, hiking, biking and exploring. I also love to read and bake. 

I am so excited to have the opportunity to teach all of your children!  I love watching them grow and mature and most importantly tell them about Jesus. It is amazing how much they get to know the Bible through all of our activities and I am so privileged to get to share those Bible stories with them. 

Ajinae Defoe- Infant 1 Teacher

Kollin Reynolds - Infant 1 Teacher

Lisa Wichlacz- Toddler 2 Teacher

Amaya Plautz- Toddler 2 Teacher

Marissa Klein - Toddler 3 Teacher

Katelyn Taylor- Preschool 4 Teacher

Ann Schumitsch- Preschool 4 Teacher

Chloe Sonnentag- Lead School Age Teacher

Lori Fuller- Administrative Assistant

Lorraine Mulder- Head Cook

Shirley Hack- Janitor

Jacqueline Hackel- Janitor