Dene As interviewed by Lynae

Prior to joining Ascension Lutheran Church as charter members, Dene and her husband, Charlie, and five of their children, Catherine, Christopher, Jennifer, Paul and Andrew, were members at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Scott City, Kansas. (A sixth child, Steve, was born later.) The family was new to Wichita because Charlie had recently accepted a job with USD 259. They had located on the west side, but were attending Immanuel Lutheran Church near downtown. The family decided to be charter members because of the close proximity of a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to their home on Wilbur Lane.

Dene’s fondest memory of the beginnings of Ascension is “contending with all those folding chairs.” (Folding chairs were used for seating when the congregation worshipped weekly in the PAC. Those folding chairs are still in use today!) When asked how she managed her large family during church, she noted that “Charlie had good discipline and the boys slept!”
The biggest change in Ascension since 1960, according to Dene, is the Tyler sanctuary addition. It was dedicated in 1978 when John Pool was pastor.

Dene said that the biggest change in Wichita these past 50 years is the westward movement of homes and businesses. She said that she remembers Vacation Bible School being held at Eberly Farms, which at that time was out in the country and not part of the city.
Over the many years of membership, Dene has been active with the LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League). Charlie, now deceased, was appointed by Pastor Kerekes as the first Sunday School Superintendent. Charlie was also actively involved for years with Scout Pack 706, which the church still sponsors today.

When asked to tell a story of faith and mission, Dene shared that all six children received the blessing of a Sunday School education, mid-week education, confirmation instruction and weekly church services. Today five of her children are scattered throughout the United States and one son is in South Africa as a missionary.