Meet Our Ringers

Ringer Bios

Tracey Bowers, 2003

 I started ringing bells almost 30 years ago in 5th grade. I really started to enjoy the art of ringing handbells when I joined the Alleluia Ringers at Concordia University, WI. As a charter member of MHE, I am glad to be able to keep my passion of ringing active.  I am also honored to be leading this wonderful group of ringers as the President.  I am a staff accountant at a private company in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. I enjoy scrapbooking, reading or riding bike in my spare time. I also enjoy spending time traveling or even just relaxing around the house with my husband, Brad, and our dog, Shelby.

Linda Carlson, 2003

I have been ringing bells on and off for about 30 years. I live in Wauwatosa with my husband, Mark, and four children ages 14-20, two of which are students at UW-Madison and one is a student at UW-Oshkosh. My son plays in the UW Marching Band which is special since my husband & I met in the band many years ago! In addition to my job as "mom", my husband and I own 4 Sport Clips Haircuts located in Germantown, Pewaukee, Brookfield and West Allis. Our family has also enjoyed hosting AFS Exchange Students. We currently have our 6th, a lovely gal from Norway, living with us until July 2016. Being a charter member of MHE, I thoroughly enjoy this outlet for my love of music!

Kaethe Grabenhofer, 2003

I am a charter member of MHE and started my handbell journey in high school. I instantly became hooked and continued ringing in the Alleluia Ringers at Concordia University, Mequon.  Scrapbooking and reading are a few of the activities I try to fit in when I am not teaching music or playing organ at First Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in historic Cedarburg.  If you’d like to try Lyft, download the app, and enter this code Kaethe1 for a free ride under $25.  I also serve as president for the Milwaukee Orff Chapter.

Jamie Haack, 2016

I started playing handbells back in 6th grade at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School in West Allis. I began in the children's choir and briefly played in the high school choir before permanently moving to the adult choir, where I still am today. Ten years and still going strong (which is actually quite a long time considering I am only 23). When I'm not ringing my heart out, I work at Cardinal Health in West Allis as a Nuclear Pharmacy Technician and am also working toward my BS in Computer Science at UW-Milwaukee. I am honored to have the privilege of ringing with MHE and am ecstatic to see what's to come!

Suzanne Hibbard, 2003

I have been involved in handbells for over twenty years as a ringer, director, teacher, clinician, sales rep and lover of bells. I am a charter member of MHE and the current Director of Music at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Franklin where I play for  services and direct five choirs. I am also an Activity Director at Heritage Place, a senior apartment complex in Brookfield, where I recently started a senior chime choir. I reside in Franklin with my husband Steve, also a musician, and we are blessed with four children. 

Jana Larson, 2011

I began ringing handbells in fourth grade and haven't stopped. After playing and conducting bells as a student at St. Olaf College, I moved to Milwaukee in 2008. I currently work at a bank and am the Handbell Director at Fox Point Lutheran Church.  I am currently finishing up a Masters of Church Music at Concordia in, what else? Handbells! In my spare time, I enjoy exploring all the city has to offer, cheering on the Brewers, and hanging out with my dog, Luther.

Jason Lewerenz, 2012

I started ringing handbells at Concordia University for the Alleluia Ringers under the direction of Dr. Behnke. I was a part of the Alleluia ringers for five years and have played bells in Germany among other foreign lands. Playing bells keeps me busy until baseball season arrives.

Joshua Moeller, 2012

I was born ready to ring and began playing with my home church, Trinity Lutheran in Roselle, Illinois. I continued to play for the Alleluia Ringers during my time at Concordia University and graduated in December of 2012 with a degree in Lutheran education. I received and accepted my first call to teach at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with School in Delavan. I love baseball and have visited every MLB stadium.

Kristine Morano, 2006

I started playing handbells in 1994 with the handbell choir at St. John's Lutheran Church in Port Washington. While attending Concordia University for music education, I was a five-year member of the Alleluia Ringers. I now live in Fredonia and enjoy spending time with my husband, Tom, and daughter, Mikayla.

Amy Mrosko, 2014

I fell in love with handbells during my time with the Alleluia Ringers as a student at CUW and have since enjoyed directing choirs at different churches.  I'm thrilled to be back in the Milwaukee area and to have the chance to ring with such a fabulous choir!  My time stays filled homeschooling five fabulous kids.

Stacey Nordmeyer, 2015

I have loved handbells for as long as I can remember and am thrilled to be a part of MHE! I learned to ring in 5th grade, rang all through high school, and toured with my choir both my junior and senior years. After that, I began solo ringing and working with the chime choir at my church. Now, I direct the bell choir at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Brookfield, where I’m also active in the music ministry, and I’m the Church Choral Editor for Hal Leonard Corporation. I’m married to Kevin, mom to Ryan, and in my spare time I enjoy traveling, reading, hiking, geo-caching and counted cross-stitch. 

Carl Reyes, 2011

I am the Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Stephen Church, Oak Creek, where I direct vocal and handbell programs. A former music teacher, I have taught all ages in schools and community parks and recreation programs.  A transplant from Michigan after having performed with 'Classical Bells' of Detroit for ten years, I've enjoyed ringing with MHE and as a solo handbell performer for over 30 years. A resident of Bay View, I love gardening at home, church and for MKE Parks and Rec. as well walking my dog, Buster, in  my  neighborhood. In 2013, my nine siblings and I traveled to Malta to discover our roots.

Jennifer Scheler, 2003-2012, 2015

I was first introduced to handbells in elementary school, continued ringing with the Alleluia Ringers at Concordia University, and was a charter member of MHE in 2003. Over the years, I have also been both ringer and director in church handbell choirs. As an agent with American Family Insurance, I have the privilege of protecting and restoring dreams in Wisconsin and neighboring states. I currently live in Pewaukee with my husband, Alex, and we have three grown children, all bell ringers.

Rachel Strand, 2006

I joined MHE shortly after graduating from Concordia University of Wisconsin where I rang with the Alleluia Ringers for four years. Although  my full-time job is being a stay-at-home Mom to my two children, Silas and Leah, I am also the handbell director at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Mequon. My husband, Carl, and I are caretakers on the farm where we reside.  Besides music, I enjoy photography, gardening, organizing, spending time with family and friends and volunteering my time at church and within the community.

Katie Wierer, 2008

I began playing handbells in grade school and became hooked when I had the privilege of playing with the Alleluia Ringers at CUW. After playing with the Madison Area Concert Handbells while away at school, I returned home to Milwaukee and began working at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin as a pharmacist. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Jay, and children, Ellie, Josie and Theo, reading and playing with our two pet rabbits.

Heide Young,2014

I have been playing handbells as long as I can remember—since sometime in elementary school.  I’ve played and directed church handbell choirs in Michigan (where I grew up), St. Louis and also in California at Concordia University, Irvine.  I’m currently a music teacher at Grace Lutheran School in Menomonee Falls.  My husband Michael and I have three kids, and when I’m not playing handbells or flute, I enjoy hiking, shopping and dog agility.

Former Ringers

* Founding Member
^ Current Member

2003-2004

Karla Bessert *
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Lauren Delancy *
Jarrod (JR) Fenner *
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Iris Jastram *
Shelley Lund *
Michael Moeder *
Jennifer Scheler *^
Karen Stabelfeldt *
Kimberly Williams *

2004-2005

Karla Bessert *
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Lauren Delancy *
Patrick Delancy
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Iris Jastram *
Shelley Lund *
Jennifer Scheler *^
Karen Stabelfeldt *
Melodee Vogt
Kimberly Williams *

2005-2006

Allison Bessert
Karla Bessert *
Tracey Bowers *^
Karen Canapa
Linda Carlson *^
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Corey Janssen
Penny Kindraka 
Shelley Lund *
Jennifer Scheler *^
Karen Stabelfeldt *
Melodee Vogt

2006-2007

Karla Bessert *
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Corey Janssen
Erin Junger
Penny Kindraka 
Shelley Lund *
Kristine Morano ^
Jennifer Scheler *^ 
Rachel Strand ^
Melodee Vogt

2007-2008

Karla Bessert *
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Corey Janssen
Erin Junger
Penny Kindraka 
Shelley Lund *
Kristine Morano ^
Jennifer Scheler *^
Rachel Strand ^
Melodee Vogt

2008-2009

Beth Bawden
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Michael Grosnick
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Corey Janssen
Erin Junger
Penny Kindraka 
Shelley Lund *
Kristine Morano ^
Jennifer Scheler *^ 
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^

2009-2010

Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Michael Grosnick
Shannon Grosnick
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Corey Janssen
Penny Kindraka 
Shelley Lund *
Kristine Morano ^
Jennifer Scheler *^
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^

2010-2011

Ken Blake
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Laura Ellwein
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Michael Grosnick
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Penny Kindraka 
Shelley Lund *
Joshua Moeller ^
Kristine Morano ^
Jennifer Scheler *^
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^

2011-2012

Ken Blake
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Penny Kindraka 
Jana Larson ^
Kristine Morano ^
Carl Reyes ^
Anne Reynolds 
Jennifer Scheler *^
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^

2012-2014

Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Penny Kindraka
Jana Larson ^
Jason Lewerenz ^
Joshua Moeller ^
Kelli Moeller 
Kristine Morano ^
Carl Reyes ^
Anne Reynolds
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^
Gwen Wiethorn

2014-2016

Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson*^
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Joshua Kramer
Jana Larson ^
Jason Lewerenz ^
Jennifer Scheler *^
Joshua Moeller ^
Kristine Morano ^
Amy Mrosko ^
Stacey Nordmeyer ^
Carl Reyes ^
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^
Heide Young ^

2016-2018

Tracey Bowers *
Linda Carlson*
Kaethe Grabenhofer *
Jamie Haack
Suzanne Hibbard *
Jana Larson
Jason Lewerenz
Jennifer Scheler *
Joshua Moeller
Kristine Morano
Amy Mrosko
Stacey Nordmeyer
Carl Reyes
Rachel Strand
Katie Wierer
Heide Young