Our Staff and Leadership
Pastor Thomas Kneser has served at Woodlawn since 1990. Before moving to West Allis, Pastor Kneser served congregations in Rice
Lake, WI and Indianapolis, IN. Pastor Kneser is a 1977 graduate of Northwestern College (Watertown, WI) and a 1981 graduate of
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and a Circuit Pastor for 10 congregations on Milwaukee’s southwest side.
Pastor Kneser and his wife, Sharon, have two children, Bethany and Joshua.
Mary Gasper, Church/School Secretary,
has been the Lamb of God Lutheran School secretary since 2002. In 2008,
she also became the secretary for Woodlawn Lutheran Church. Mary is
married and has three children.
Nancy Perez,
Organist, has been a member of Woodlawn since
2000 and has accompanied the choir since 2001. She is married to
Victor and studies classical piano at the Wisconsin Conservatory of
Music as a continuing student. Nancy also teaches piano out of her
home. Al Schumacher, Brass Choir Director Lynette Blievernicht, Contemporary Choir Director,
graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in 1977. Her first call was to
Zion Lutheran in Columbus, Wisconsin, where she taught grades 1-4 in
different combinations for her years of service there, as well as
coaching various athletic teams. In 1981 Ms. Blievernicht accepted the
call to teach at Woodlawn Lutheran School in West Allis, Wisconsin. She
taught grades 3-4, assisted in some athletic coaching and directing of
the school musicals. Since the merger of Woodlawn and Jordan Ms.
Blievernicht has taught various grade combinations of 3rd. and 4th, 2nd.
and 3rd, and 1st. and 2nd. Jay Schwall, School Principal, graduated from Dr. Martin
Luther College in 1975. He was assigned to teach grades 5&6 at Woodlawn
Lutheran School in West Allis, WI. In addition to his teaching
responsibilities, he served as athletic director, coach, Sunday School
director and Teen Group organizer. In 1983, Mr. Schwall took over the
responsibilities of serving as Principal. Since the merger of Jordan and
Woodlawn, Mr. Schwall has taught various subject in grades 5-8, in
addition to serving as principal. Mr. Schwall is married and has six
children.
Pastor Reuel Schulz served two congregations From 1959 until 1962, simultaneously in eastern Washington State. Now semi-retired, Pastor
Schulz still regularly preaches and serves the members of Woodlawn, Pastor Schulz is a 1955 graduate of
Northwestern College (Watertown, WI) and a 1959 graduate of
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
Always an advocate for higher education, in 1990, Pastor Schulz received
his Sacred Theology Masters degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in
Mequon, WI. In his semi-retirement, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Charlotte.
Pastor Schulz has four children and several grandchildren.
Pastor Benjamin
Wessel is a 1994 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and a 2002 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI. His main duties at Woodlawn involve the various programs for Youth and Evangelism. He also
serves on the board of the Milwaukee Chapter of WELS Lutherans for Life. In August 2008, Pastor Wessel married Lynn. 
Sharon Klinger,
Teacher, Choir Director, Hand bell Director, graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm Minnesota. In August 1972 she married Manfred and they have two children: Chris and Carl.
In 1981 Woodlawn needed an overflow teacher for grade 2 so Mrs. Klinger taught part time for that year.
In a few years the call became full time and Mrs. Klinger has taught 2nd-8th grade as needed. She currently teaches 3rd & 4th grades, 5-8 Music and hand bells.