I was raised in Webster, South Dakota. After high school I attend Southeast Technical Institute where I received my degree in Early Childhood Development. Since then, I have worked as a lead teacher for Little Blessings Childcare, lead teacher for Watertown Head Start, and as the Director of the Summit school OST/Summer Program. My significant other, Chris, and I are currently in the process of moving to Aberdeen and we are expecting baby #1 in May 2022!
Amanda Black | Youth & Family Coordinator
I grew up in Aberdeen and graduated from Northern State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in writing. My husband, Joe, and I have two wonderful daughters. I enjoy working with all of the members of Good Shepherd. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, running, watching movies and attending my children’s activities.
Deb Larson | Financial Secretary
I was raised on a dairy farm in the Hosmer area. After graduating from South Dakota State University with an education background, I eventually ended up in the Minneapolis area. There I met my husband and together we operated a used car lot. In 2014, my husband passed away and since we did not have any children, I decided to move back to the Aberdeen area to be closer to family.
I have worked at GS for 20 years. Prior to this, I worked as a custodian for Aberdeen Public Schools for 15 years. My wife Renee and I have 1 daughter and 2 sons. I enjoy hunting, motorcycle riding, and anything I can do with my family.
Dr. Christopher Stanichar is an active composer, conductor and educator. He has written works for orchestra, choir, chamber ensembles, art songs, and works for solo piano. Christopher’s musical style is described as accessible and neo-romantic. As a boy, Christopher served as a cantor for his church, and many of his works incorporate these Eastern European influences. His main instrument is piano, which his mother began teaching him at age five, and viola, which he began playing in youth orchestra and college. Christopher attended Central Washington University where he was a student of Robert Panerio, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in music composition in 1991. He finished his doctorate work at Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and studied conducting with Gerhard Samuel, as well as taking many graduate courses in compositional techniques, including orchestration with Samuel Adler. Christopher is the Director of the Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony (South Dakota) and Worthington Area Symphony Orchestra (Minnesota). He is Assistant Professor of Orchestral Studies at Northern State University. He also directs the newly formed Dakota Prairie Youth Orchestra which serves string students in the Aberdeen area. In his free time, Christopher’s other interests include Russian icons, foreign languages, travelling, biking, and pinball. The most important thing to Christopher is family, and his children are active in music.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 