Pastors & Staff

Our Pastor

Serving our parish’s three congregations

Pastor Terrill Sorensen

Pastor

Pastor Terrill Sorensen grew up on a farm near Hooker, SD. If you haven’t heard of Hooker you’re not the only one. There are only two people left there. He farmed for a few years before returning to school, graduating from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD with degrees in Greek and Religion. He graduated from Luther Seminary in 1988.

He is married to Pastor Sara Sorensen who is serving St. John’s Lutheran Hecla, SD and Trinity Lutheran, Houghton, SD. They have two adult daughters, Katie in Michigan and Elizabeth and her husband Aaron who live Colorado.

Before coming to the Britton Parish in 2003 he and Sara served the Lutheran Parish in and around Bristol, SD.

He enjoys fishing, gardening, old farm machinery, spending time with family and friends, and hearing the stories of members of the congregation over coffee.

Our staff

Gail O'Brien

Administrative Assistant

Gail O’Brien grew up in Fargo, ND. She graduated from MSUM with a degree in Economics. She married Bob O’Brien and moved to his farm in NE Marshall County, SD. They have three adult children and 11 grandchildren. She has worked for the Britton Lutheran parish for the past ten years as the Administrative assistant – fancy words for Church Secretary. She also teaches piano lessons and plays organ for Pleasant Valley Lutheran church. She truly enjoys working with and supporting Pastor Terrill Sorensen. She loves the country, the lake and outdoor activities. In her spare time she loves to walk, hike, bike, work out, garden, read, travel, water-ski and spend time with all her grandkids.

Lona Batie

Choir Director & Organist

Lona Batie was born and raised in Wahpeton, ND, where she was the fifth in a family of seven children. Her father was an electrician for Otter Tail Power by day and lead trombone for a local band group at night. Her mom often followed him in his weekend dates. It wasn't long before mom collected milk bottles to finance Lona's piano lessons. Lona caught on rapidly and soon she was playing for church choirs, school choirs, contest soloists and en-sembles, etc. Upon graduation she enrolled at Moorhead (MN) State College University where she continued to accompany for music students on a daily basis and university faculty at occa-sions. At MSU she took up the organ and became very busy with weddings and funerals. She graduated with a B.S. major in Music Education and minor in piano. Lona has been teaching music in school since her college graduation along with teaching private piano for most of those years, except when her three children, Sara, Ann and Jeff were in elementary school. Lona continues to give lessons. Lona has been committed to her church. She plays organ and piano for her church as well as directing the adult choir. As music is a fair and glorious gift of God, she will continue to return the gift He gave her.

Laurie Wegleitner

Custodian

Laurie Wegleitner has been a member of First Lutheran Church all her life. She has been married for 37 years to her wonderful husband Herman. They have three children, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and five precious grandchildren. When she is not at the church cleaning, she enjoys reading and coloring pictures. The thing she likes most about being the church custodian is the flexibility and how the church looks each Sunday. Thank you for letting me a part of the church staff.

Kari Feldhaus

Youth Director

Kari and her husband Matt raise cattle on their ranch northeast of Britton. They have 3 grown children. They are members of Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church, one of the 3 congregations in this parish. Kari is a Sunday School teacher, 4-H Leader, and online educator who loves her family, ranch life, the outdoors, music, and photography, and really enjoys working with kids in JAWS and the confirmation program.

Our Board