Staff
Mr. Chris Holman
Principal
Lower Grades Teacher
Chris was born in Rapid City, SD in 1979 and grew up in Citrus Heights, CA. He graduated from Bellas Vista High School in 1998 and from Martin Luther College in 2003. He was assigned to Martin Luther School (former name of Crown of Life School) to teach grades 1-4. In 2012, Chris began teaching K-4. In the summer of 2013, he became principal. With the completion of our new school building, Chris as been re-called to serve as our principal and lower grades teacher.
Chris is married to his wife, Cristina, and they have been blessed with three beautiful daughters, Ella, Addyson, and Camryn.
When not at school, Chris loves sports. Whether watching, playing, or coaching, he loves them all! He also loves to play golf (when the weather permits).
Pastor Dan Westendorf
Dan was born in Milwaukee, WI in 1985. He grew up on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI where his dad taught as a professor. Dan graduated from Luther Preparatory School in 2003, from Martin Luther College in 2007, and from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2011.
Dan served as dorm supervisor and instructor at Martin Luther College from 2011-2013. In May 2013 he received a divine call to serve the people at Crown of Life Lutheran Church and School.
In June 2013 Dan married his wife, Kadie (Drake) Westendorf. They have three children, Levi, Lydia, and Lucas.
Mr. Joshua Thiesfeldt
Upper Grades Teacher
Athletic Director
Current Events
Josh was born in Menomonee Falls, WI in 1999 and grew up in Fond du Lac, WI for the majority of his life. He is the youngest of 4 children in his family with 3 older sisters. He graduated from Winnebago Lutheran Academy in 2017 and then went to Martin Luther College and graduated in 2021. He was then assigned to Crown of Life Lutheran to teach grades 5-8 and participate in our synod’s principal training program.
Josh married his wife Taylor, whom he met in college, in the Summer of 2021 after graduating from Martin Luther College.
In his free time, Josh loves to be integrating himself into any type of sport whether it be watching or playing them. If not sports, spending time outside hiking, fishing, or traveling is something he is also quite passionate about.
Mrs. Taylor Thiesfeldt
Preschool Director/Teacher
Music
Taylor was born in Milwaukee, WI and is the oldest of four siblings. She was raised in Minnesota for the majority of her life. She attended Luther Preparatory School and Minnesota Valley Lutheran for high school. She graduated from Minnesota Valley Lutheran in 2017. She continued her education at Martin Luther College and graduated with an early childhood major in May 2021. Taylor was assigned to teach preschool at Crown of Life and participate in our synod’s preschool director apprenticeship program.
Taylor married Joshua in July of 2021.
Taylor enjoys playing the piano, music, and being outdoors. She enjoys doing activities such as hiking, biking, or just having fun with friends.
Mrs. Kadie Westendorf
Preschool Director
Secretary
Phy Ed and Spanish
Kadie was born and raised in Adrian, Michigan. She attended Madison High School in Adrian and Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. Kadie graduated from MLC in 2012 with a degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Physical Education. Kadie was assigned to serve as the 1st & 2nd grade teacher for 1 year at Zion Lutheran School in Monroe, MI. After completing her year at Zion, she married Dan Westendorf and moved to Warren, MI where Dan was assigned to be the Pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church. In 2014 Crown of Life extended Kadie a call to serve as Preschool Teacher and Director. Kadie served in that position until 2020.
During the 2020-2021 school year Kadie served as the 3rd and 4th grade teacher at Divine Grace Lutheran School in Lake Orion, MI while Crown of Life built a new school! Kadie currently serves Crown of Life as the Preschool Director and Middle Grades Teacher.
Kadie and Dan are blessed with 3 children; Levi, Lydia, and Lucas. In her free time Kadie enjoys watching sports (Lions, Red Wings, Tigers, Spartans and USWNT soccer), camping, and running with their dog Griffon.
Mrs. Linda DeRuiter
Art
Linda was the original preschool teacher at Crown of Life (formerly Martin Luther School) back in 1977! She served faithfully for 30+ years until 2011.
In retirement she still has a heart for children and a continued love for art. She teaches art class on Friday afternoons to all grades. You can find the students artwork displayed in the halls throughout the year.
Mrs. Lynne Cameron
Church/School Secretary
Preschool Helper