Our Staff.

Director

Stephanie Treder has been the director of Little Lions since July 2024. She graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with a double major in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. For the majority of her ministry, she served in California. She was assigned to Reformation in San Diego as the preschool director and teacher. She also served at Apostles in San Jose as a preschool teacher, before and after care coordinator/teacher, and a second grade teacher. Before serving at Little Lions, she served as the director of St. John's Lutheran Child Care in Jefferson, WI. She is married to her husband, Chris, and they have a cat named Mika. She enjoys outdoor adventures like hiking and camping, learning about different cultures by immersing herself in them, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite thing about working at Little Lions is sharing Jesus with the kids and watching their faith grow!

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Molly graduated from Martin Luther College in 2014 with a degree in elementary education. Most of her career has been spent teaching kindergarten and preschool. She loves the wonder and excitement that comes from preschoolers. Molly joined Little Lions as the assistant director in July of 2023. She loves seeing Jesus' little lions grow and change each and every day.

When she's not at Little Lions, she loves hiking with her husband, Ben, and three kids, Emma, Ava, and Silas, going for runs with her one year old lab, Kevin, and reading lots of books! She feels extremely blessed to be part of the Marathon community.

PASTOR

Pastor Hadler has been serving at St. Matthew since June 1999. He received his master’s degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI, graduating in 1990.

PASTOR

Benjamin Phelps ("Pastor Ben") was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and lived in Plymouth, Wisconsin, for most of his childhood and teenage years. He is a 2014 graduate of Martin Luther College and a 2018 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. As a student he gained experience assisting 7 different churches in Wisconsin and North Carolina. Upon completing his seminary studies in, he was assigned as pastor to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kenai, Alaska. In April 2023, he accepted his call to serve as associate pastor at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Marathon, Wisconsin.

Ben and his wife, Molly (formerly Graumann), are blessed with two daughters, Emma and Ava, and a son, Silas. They also share their home with Kevin, a yellow lab.

Ben is currently a doctoral student in the reduced residency program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where he is working towards a Ph.D. in historical theology. He currently serves on the WELS 175th anniversary committee. Pastor Ben is interested especially in 19th-century Lutheranism, and has written several award-winning papers and journal articles on the topic. He is also the founder and host of The Lutheran History Podcast.

ADMINISTRATOR

Tia was born and raised in Marathon. After graduating from Marathon High School in 2010, she continued her education at NTC in the Early Childhood Education Program. While working towards her degree she worked in a school-age program and also a preschool program. After graduating with her associate's in Early Childhood Education, she came back to the Marathon School District where she worked as a Paraprofessional.

Here at Little Lions, her role is the Administrator, she is the one that families and staff will be in contact with regarding paperwork, billing, and many more things! She loves everything about Little Lions, the STAFF, the CHILDREN, and knowing that every day is new and different! She is married to my high school sweetheart. They have been together for 18 years and have 3 beautiful girls!

INFANT LEAD TEACHER

Hello! I’m Ashley, I am from around the Wausau/ Weston area, I am currently the Lead infant room teacher here at Little Lions. My favorite part about Little Lions aside from all the smiling little faces is the friendly staff that I have the pleasure of working with everyday and that I have the privilege of bringing my child with everyday as well!

I am currently enrolled at Northcentral Technical College, where I have been working hard at earning my degree in Early Childhood Education. The reason I chose to go back to school and earn my degree is so that I can help these children grow in their education so that someday they can be whatever it is they want to be!

TODDLER 2 LEAD TEACHER

Amy is from Antigo. She worked at the Antigo radio station and was a local celebrity on air. After that Amy went back to school and was an in-home healthcare provider. Her compassion and care brought her to have the desire to work with children. She has two sons. One is a motorcycle mechanic up north, the other son is in college studying law. Amy now lives in Marathon and loves teaching children and working with them to develop at their highest potential. Little Lions Childcare is wonderful.

TODDLER 3 LEAD TEACHER

Rebecca grew up in Sturgis, Michigan and attended Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, Michigan, to prepare her for Martin Luther College. Rebecca's past teaching experience in college included teaching with the Center for Urban Education in Milwaukee for two summers. Her recent employment was at the Martin Luther College Early Childhood Center as an assistant, after she finished student teaching there. Rebecca's enjoyment of young children led her to attend Martin Luther College, where she majored in early childhood education. On May 14, 2022, Rebecca graduated and received her first divine call from Martin Luther College.

Rebecca was raised by her grandparents, Marvin and Janet Shields. Rebecca looks forward to going on trips with her grandparents on their motorhome or when they drive the motorhome to visit her.

Rebecca has taken many classes and has spent multiple years in the classroom to become a teacher. She is excited to share her knowledge with the children finally. The number one thing she is really excited about is that she gets to share the love of her Savior with the children and their families.

PRESCHOOL LEAD TEACHER

Maria was born and raised in Mosinee, WI. She graduated from Mosinee High School in 2017. Maria lives on the outskirts of Mosinee with her husband and their two dogs. She is currently studying Elementary Education with plans to finish her degree while working at Little Lions. Maria is currently teaching in the Preschool Room and loves working with the students and families! Her favorite part about working at Little Lions is hearing the students learn the word of God and being able to watch them grow. When she is not at Little Lions, Maria enjoys spending time with her husband and their family, being outside, and working in her yard.

School Age Lead Teacher

Chloe was born and raised in Marathon, WI. She graduated from Marathon High School in 2022. She is attending the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, where she will be graduating with a Double major in Elementary and Early Childhood Education.

Becoming a teacher is not something that Chloe ever thought that she ever wanted to pursue a career in, until she volunteered at St.Matthews’ Vacation Bible School and Sunday School, which then guided her down the teaching path!

Some of Chloe’s hobbies include; spending time with friends and family and doing lots of arts and crafts, especially painting!

Her favorite part of working at Little Lions is that she knows everyday is a new adventure and one day is not like the next. She loves making new special connections with each child every single day!

Support Team

Katherine Gruna- Head Cook

Emily Passehl- Infant Teacher

Lisa Wichlacz- Toddler 2 Teacher

Katelyn Taylor- Toddler 2/3 Teacher

Denise Grondin- Preschool 4 Teacher

Lorraine Mulder- Float Assistant

MaryAnn Hall- Float Teacher

Natalie Krause- Float Teacher

Emma Scheiderer- Float Assistant

Shirley Hack- Janitor

Jacqueline Hackel- Janitor

Cayden Sapinski- Support Staff

Suzy Meier- Float Teacher

Kayla Kelly- Float Assistant