Trinity Lutheran School, Jenera, celebrates 75 years with the 2023-2024 school year. The school was started in Jenera in the fall of 1948 in the church's basement. The first teacher was Mr. Wayne Wiechmann, assisted by Pastor Walter Voss. There were eight grades and kindergarten.
In 1952, a school building consisting of three classrooms and a library was built on Allen Street and in 1968, two additional rooms were added to the south of the original building. In 1984, two more classrooms, a kitchen and a multi-purpose room were added to the west.
Pre-school is now offered along with K-8. The present teaching staff consists of Jessica Krueger, Connie Krueger, Karena Falck, Heather Kretz, Joshua vonStein, Sam Evans, Principal Jeff Falck and Pastor Matt Nowak. Classes for the new school year begin September 5.
A special opening service for the anniversary year was held on Sunday, August 19 with the installation of Sam Evans as 7-8th grade teacher. He grew up in South Lyon, Michigan, and attended school at St. Paul’s in Livonia, Michigan. His high school education was at Huron Valley Lutheran High School (now Hope Christian Academy) in Westland, Michigan. He attended Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, graduating in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Minor in Social Studies. Evans taught 4th-8th grades at Petra Lutheran School in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota before accepting the call to Trinity this summer.
A celebration 75th anniversary service will be held at the end of the school year on May 19, 2024, when all past and present students, teachers, pastors, parents and friends will be especially invited back. An anniversary history/cookbook is being made.
More information on the school can be found at tlsjenera.org or by calling 419-326-4685.
