ABOUT

Our origins

We’ve been a Minnesota non-profit corporation and public charity since the year 2000, helping create and assist organizations until they mature and can function as non-profits on their own. We turn vision into action. An idea emerges in the mind of an individual. If we’re approached and the concept blends with our mission and values we will do all we can to help launch and implement the idea.

How does Olmsted Outreach work?

Our board invites, evaluates and approves applications. Once accepted, your program is expected to have a mission statement and an advisory committee that meets regularly to pray, plan, provide direction and help implement your program’s mission. Programs raise their own funds, so you’ll also need a treasurer. Olmsted Outreach does not engage in program fund raising. We’re the legal recipient of tax deductible donations to member programs. A business checking account will be established for you. Our President and Treasurer will be signatories. Donations to your program will be placed in your account for your use. We require regular reporting of income and expenses. We provide payroll, consultation, accounting, general liability insurance and required governmental reporting. The Olmsted Outreach Board of Directors does not involve itself with day-to-day operations.

What do we offer your organization?

Our 501(c)(3) designation permits tax deductible receipting for donations benefitting your program. Our non-profit status enables us to receive certain donations and to apply for certain grants on behalf of member programs. We carry general liability insurance on all programs. We file the required federal government reports, including form 990. We contract for payroll services if needed. We provide monthly accounting of income and expenses. We are registered with the United Way and GiveMN, enabling contributors to designate gifts to individual member programs.

Board of Directors

Mary Marienau, CRNA, PhD - President

Mary was born in Iowa and has lived in Rochester since 1976. For much of her adult life she has been a student and, for many of her student years, a full-time working mom. She graduated from Allen Memorial School of Nursing (RN), University of Northern Iowa (BA), Mayo Clinic Nurse Anesthesia Program (CRNA), Winona State University (MS) and finally the University of MN (PhD). She became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in 1979 and for the past 22 years has been Program Director for what is now called the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program. Mary has been a member of Autumn Ridge Church for almost 40 years. She has served on a variety of church committees, professional and service boards.

Aaron Wager - Vice President

Aaron grew up on a farm in Dawson, MN and is a graduate of Crossroads College (formerly known as Minnesota Bible College) here in Rochester. He pursed a Master of Divinity Degree from Lincoln Christian Seminar in Lincoln, Il. Aaron has been a pastor since 1991, serving churches in Indiana and Minnesota. He has lived in Rochester for over 25 years, and is the founding Pastor of Bear Creek Christian Church, who recently purchased the Crossroads College Campus to be used for affordable housing, a non-profit center, and a permanent home for the church. Aaron has been married to Kerry (Stolhanske) Wager for 26 years and they have four children ranging from 15 to 24 years old. He loves collecting books, playing softball, and watching Minnesota sports teams (which means he is sad and frustrated most of the time).

John Scales - Secretary

John Scales is originally from North Carolina. He and Mary were married six months after college graduation and have been married for 47 years. They relocated to Rochester from upstate New York in 1992 and became members of First Baptist (Autumn Ridge) Church, and have been fortunate enough to serve on various boards and committees. They have two adult sons, both married, and two grandsons. John retired from IBM in 2013 after 43 years, working in various locations and holding a progression of positions, as a software engineer and as a manager.

Steve England - Treasurer

Steve England was born in Minnesota and has lived in Rochester since 1997. Steve holds a BA degree from the University of Minnesota and a MA degree from Bethel Seminary. He married Leanne in 2000 and they have 2 children at home. Steve was involved in the founding of Olmsted Outreach and is now serving as the treasurer. Steve served on staff for a number of years at Autumn Ridge Church and now owns his own bookkeeping practice. Steve and his family are still active at Autumn Ridge Church.

Dave Swanson

Dave Swanson was born in Chicago, raised in Michigan and, after high school, educated in Minnesota (Bethel College) and Colorado (University of Colorado). He married Joan in 1963. They have three adult children, two grandsons and one step-grandson. Dave joined Mayo Clinic in 1971 where he held positions in administration and publishing, retiring in 2001. Through the years Dave has been active in civic and church-related groups, committees, boards and choirs and is a member of Autumn Ridge Church.

Jennifer Burden, PhD

Jennifer received a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies and master's degrees in both Marriage and Family Therapy and Community Psychology from Michigan State University. As a counselor-educator she has championed healthy human functioning by working in the positions of: marriage and family therapy; parenting; adolescent chronic illness management; substance abuse prevention (researcher, program developer and educator) and college psychology instructor. As a member of the Olmsted Outreach board, Jennifer is excited about the opportunity to empower people to start programs that serve communities in ways that enhance lives.

Dan Carlson

Dan Carlson grew up in Rochester where he met and married Hope. They have two adult children and three grandsons. He is a veteran Sunday School teacher and kids club leader, with 30 years of experience. Dan is historian at Autumn Ridge Church and author of “My Father’s House: A History of Autumn Ridge Church (1857-2009).” He holds degrees from Macalester College and Winona State University. Although retired as a special education teacher, Dan keeps active as a choir member and Kiwanis volunteer, focusing on programs that help kids.

Kathy Latcham

Although active on professional boards at a state and national level, this is Kathy Latcham’s first experience with an organization like Olmsted Outreach. Raised in an Army family, she has called many states home through the years. In 1964 she landed in Rochester to continue her education at Methodist Kahler School of Nursing, later gratuated from the Mayo Clinic Nurse Anesthesia program and then went on to complete batchelor and masters degrees at Winona State University. She retired from Mayo Clinic in 2001 but continued there as a supplemental for more than ten years. Kathy and her husband, John, have been married for 36 years and have five children and nine grandchildren. They are members of Autumn Ridge Church.

Ron Schaap

Ron Schaap was born in Iowa and raised in Worthington, Minnesota. After high school he attended Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, graduating in 1970. He also studied at Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He married Diane in 1970. They have three daughters and seven grandchildren. For fifteen years, Ron was involved in campus ministry and held staff positions in three churches in the Midwest. In 1985 he joined his father in the family business, Schaap Sanitation Incorporated, in Worthington. He sold the business in 2000. In addition to Olmsted Outreach, Ron serves on the Dordt College and First State Bank boards. He attends Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester, where he's a member of the Benevolence Committee, the choir and a regular participant on mission trips to Kosovo and Kenya.

Deneene Graham

Deneene holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and graduated with a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Hamline University. She previously worked as a Community Impact Specialist at a nonprofit organization, where her work focused on providing grant funding and support for children and youth programs in Olmsted County. Deneene also serves as Board Member on a number of nonprofit Boards in the area. She and her family have lived in Rochester for eleven years and have been members of Autumn Ridge Church for ten years.

Alan Wright, MD

Alan was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a BS degree in Chemistry from Wheaton College followed by a MD from Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois. In 1977, he moved to Rochester, MN and completed a residency in Internal Medicine and subspecialty training in Infectious Diseases at Mayo Clinic. After completing his training in 1982, he joined the Mayo Clinic Staff in the Division of Infectious Diseases. While working at Mayo, he participated in a number of departmental, infection control and institutional committees as well as teaching in the Mayo Medical School. After 38 years at Mayo, he retired in 2020. Alan and his wife, Elann, attend Autumn Ridge Church where they serve together in both volunteer capacities and through Elann’s employment at Autumn Ridge Church.

Donovan Burden - Ad Hoc Member
Social Media Consultant

Born and raised in Rochester, Donovan is an experienced photographer, videographer, and graphic designer. As the Social Media Specialist for Autumn Ridge Church, he takes pride in using his skills to communicate and engage with many different people. He currently attends Mayo High School while taking post-secondary courses at Rochester Community & Technical College. Donovan will be attending Hamline University in the fall of 2022, where he plans to study Digital Media Production. Donovan is excited to be able to use his skills and abilities to support the communities Olmsted Outreach supports.

Personal Email: dburde42@gmail.com
Work Email: burden.donovan@autumnridgechurch.org
Cell Phone: (507) 513-4455 

Olmsted Outreach
P.O. Box 882
Rochester, MN, 55903-0882