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, Ph.D., CRNA - President
Mary was born in Iowa and has lived in Rochester since 1976. She was a student and a full-time mom for most of her working yesrs. She graduated from Allan Memorial Hospital School of Nursing as an RN, University of Northern Iowa with her bachelors degree, Mayo Clinic's Nurse Anesthesia Program as a CRNA, Winona State University with her masters degree and finally the University of Minnesota with her PhD. She became a certified registered nurse anesthetist CRNA in 1979, and for the last 23+ years of her career was Program Director for what is now called Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program. After 43 1/2 years at Mayo Clinic in the anesthesia profession, she retired in 2020. Mary has been a member of Autumn Ridge Church for 40+ years. She has served on a variety of church and professional committees.
Aaron Wager, MDiv - Vice President
Aaron grew up on a farm in Dawson, Minnesota. He is a graduate of CrossRoads College, formally known as Minnesota by the college here in Rochester. He pursued a masters of divinity degree from Lincoln Christian Seminary in Lincoln, Illinois. Aaron has been a pastor since 1981 serving churches in Indiana and Minnesota. He has lived in Rochester for over 30 years and is the founding pastor of the Bear Creek Christian Church, which recently purchased the CrossRoads college campus to be used for affordable housing, a nonprofit center and a permanent home for the church. Aaron has been married to Carrie Stoll Hance key STOLHANSKE Wager since 1992 and they have four adult children, he loves collecting books playing softball and watching Minnesota sport sports teams which means he is sad and frustrated most of the time.
John Scales, B.S. Engineering and Mathematics - Secretary
John Scales is originally from North Carolina. He and his wife were married six months after college graduation. They relocated to Rochester from upstate New York in 1992 and became members of First Baptist Church/Autumn Ridge Church. He has been fortunate enough to serve on various committees. He has two adult sons, both married, and three 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 a management.
Karen Rucker, B.S. - Treasurer
Karen grew up on a farm in Orinoco, Minnesota. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a major in Home Economics Education. However, her career path took a different turn after receiving a call from Mayo Clinic. She then spent the next 37 years working in various roles in the Finance Department and retired from Mayo in December 2022. Karen is a member of Autumn Ridge Church. She volunteers in various ministries there, including leading Precept Bible Study and serving as chair of the annual Devoted Hearts Women's Conference.
Jennifer Burden, Ph.D.
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, M.S. in Education
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, M.S., CRNA
Kathy has been active on church committees and professional boards on a state and national level. This is Kathy's first experience with an organization like Olmsted Outreach. She was 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. She later attended and graduated from Mayo Clinic Nurse Anesthesia Program as a CRNA and then went on to complete a bachelors of science and a masters degree at Winona state university. She retired from Mayo Clinic's anesthesia department in 2001. Although, she continued to then work as a supplemental CRNA for more than 10 years. She is a member of Autumn Ridge Church. Kathy's husband, John, passed in 2021.
Ron Schaap, B.A., A.A. Biblical Studies
Ron Schaap was born in Iowa and raised in Worthington, Minnesota. After high school, he attended Dordt University in Sioux City, Iowa graduating in 1970. He also studied at Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He married Dianne in 1970. They have three daughters and seven grandchildren For 15 years Ron was involved in campus ministry and held positions in three churches in Midwest. In 1985 he joined his father in the family business, Schaap Sanitation Inc. in Worthington. He sold the business in 2000. In addition to Olmstead Outreach Ron served on the Dordt University and the First State Bank Board of Directors. He attends Autumn Ridge, Church, where he is a member of the Benevolence Committee, the choir, and a regular participant on mission trips to Kosovo.
