Parish Staff

To view the staff profiles, click on the drop down menu below.

FR. GARY KRAHENBUHL - PASTOR
ST. MARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION & ST. MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS

I have served as Pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Portage and St. Mary Help of Christian Parish in Briggsville since July of 2013. Since I was ordained in 1984, I served in a variety of parishes before serving as Pastor to Our Lady of the Assumption Parish for seventeen years. I grew up in Monroe, WI on a dairy farm, and after receiving an AA degree in Police Science and a BA in Criminal Justice, I entered St. John Seminary in Collegeville, MN.

Good friends, an “in-progress” prayer life, lots of miles biking or running and an occasional Korbel and cigar (family tradition) keep me a happy priest. While preaching and presiding remain my first love of priesthood, I find great reward in leading a parish community to encounter Christ more fully in their lives - both personally and as a community.

Phone: 608-742-6998 ext. 214
​Email: Click Here to Email Me

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DCN. Steve Letourneaux - Deacon

Born 1946 in Brooklyn, New York, the twists and turns of life brought me to Wisconsin in 1972 which has been my home ever since. Between Brooklyn and 1972, my years were in Chicago, and yes, I am an enthusiastic Cubs, Bears and Blackhawks fan! Higher education saw me some years in the seminary. Discerning that wasn’t my call, my vocation became husband, father, and grandfather while building a practice in the financial services industry.

My Diaconate call was also a most interesting journey beginning in 1978 and leading to ordination in 2005. Recalling the twists and turns in life, our story as to my wife, Claire, and I arriving in Portage in 2016, living in Saddle Ridge, is worthy of conversation over a brew or two!

We are most happy here, our faith served very well in our sister parishes of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception and St. Mary Help of Christians. My home diocese is Green Bay, but I have been granted faculties to serve also in our Madison diocese. As a “senior status” Deacon (Church-speak for “retired”), it is a delight to serve our parishioners with Fr. Gary, our school, and our 2-parish staff in any way needed.

I am the kind of guy that enjoys almost anything, but my greatest joys come from outside - nature - be that hiking, walking, biking, golfing, pontooning, traveling, the simple immersion of a sunrise or sunset, the breath of fresh air.

​As a Deacon, when I see that twinkle in the eye, or the “aha” moment on a face as Jesus touches one in a special way - THAT is what most reminds me of the prophet Jeremiah’s words when our God said:

“You are my people and I am your God”!

Email: Click Here to Email Me

Sr. Anita Henning, CSA - Pastoral Minister & Director of Faith Formation 
St. Mary Help of Christians - Briggsville

I have been the Pastoral Minister at St. Mary Help of Christians since July 2018. My previous ministry experiences have been varied. I have a BA in elementary education and an MA in educational administration. For many years I taught or was principal in Catholic schools in Fond du Lac & Milwaukee WI, Harlem, NY, and Canton, MS. I loved working with children and parents so it was a natural fit to follow those ministries as Director of Faith Formation at St. Mary’s in Portage. In between these ministries I served my community, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, on the Leadership Team.

Although I was born in Kentucky, most of my growing up years were spent in Beloit. I’m the oldest of nine children, an aunt to 28 nieces and nephews and 32+ grand nieces and nephews!

Other interests I have are spending time with family and friends, reading, working on family history, walking, and bird watching.

I appreciate the people of this parish, the sense of family, and a real ownership of their parish. I am looking forward to many years of sharing faith with them.

Phone: 608-981-2282
Email: Click Here to Email Me

Kris Radtke -  Director of Parish Operations
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception - Portage

I have worked in the Catholic Church since 1995, and have had a variety of roles within the church.
Before I was hired as the Parish Secretary and Coordinator of Religious Education in Pardeeville, I volunteered as a catechist for 2 nd grade. After serving as the Business Administrator in Pardeeville and Columbus, I joined the staff at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception as the Director of Parish Operations in September 2022. I grew up in Baraboo, WI and attended church at St. Joseph Parish.
After marrying my husband Bob and starting our family, I worked and went to college. I received a BS in Business Administration from Edgewood College.
I enjoy spending time with my family, working in my garden and working out at the gym. I enjoy
meeting people and learning about them. My faith has been an important part of my life. I look forward to the opportunity to meet each of you as I serve St. Mary Parish.

Phone: 608-742-6998 ext. 211
Email: Click Here to Email Me

Sam Clemmons - Liturgical Ministry
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception - Portage

I joined the parish staff at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception and St. Mary Help of Christians in the summer of 2019 as the Director of Liturgical Music. In the three years since taking on that role, I have grown exponentially in my faith life and have learned a lot about theology and lay-ministry within the Catholic Church. In September of 2022, I took on the new role as the Director of Liturgical and Music Ministries, encompassing much of the work from my previous position as well as the other ministerial positions within the parish. I have been part of the St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception parish community for most of my life. I received all my Sacraments as a member of the parish and continue to volunteer here in several ways.

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in May 2020 with a degree in Music Education, with an emphasis in Choir and Piano. I served as the Director of Choirs for the Columbus School District from June 2020 through June 2022. With my change in duties at the parish, it was also time to make a change in my teaching career. Beginning in August 2022, I took on the role as the new Director of Choirs and General Music at Bartels Middle School in Portage.

I am a lifelong native of Portage and continue to be active throughout the community in several ways. Aside from my service at the church, I am active in the community as a board member for The Boys & Girls Club of West-Central Wisconsin–Portage Area/Columbia County. In addition, I serve on the Board of Directors at the Portage Center for the Arts, where I continue to advocate for the local music community of Portage. I enjoy making music outside of church and school as the Music Director for The Candlelight Ladies (an all-female choral ensemble) and as the Co-Director for the Zona Gale Singers (a non-auditioned community choral ensemble).
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Everything we do in life should be driven by the example of Christ–each of us is a steward of the world and we all serve faithfully through the gifts that have been bestowed upon us. My passion is to give back to the Portage community to ensure that there is a vibrant Catholic community here for many generations to come!

Phone: 608-742-6998 ext. 227
Email: Click Here to Email Me

Christine R. Daly - Bookkeeper
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception - Portage

I joined the parish staff in December of 2013. After working most of my career as an office manager, the transition to parish bookkeeper was inherent. Daily accounting of the church and school finances are the main focus of this position. Working with the dedicated and faithful staff is an added benefit, which I find most rewarding.

I am proud to be a native of Portage, although I grew up just outside Boston, MA. My husband, Bob and I relocated to Portage in 1973. All three of our children, Michael, Melissa and Erin attended St. Mary School. Now married, they have given us the greatest gift of all, grandchildren.

Phone: 608-742-6988 ext. 212
​Email: Click Here to Email Me

​Nancy Davis - ​ Pastoral Care
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception - Portage

I joined the parish staff in 2018 as the receptionist.  My office as the Executive Director of ABC Connections, a volunteer, faith in action program that helped seniors, was upstairs at the Parish Center for 17 years.  It felt odd to be working downstairs as the receptionist after so many years of climbing up the stairs.  After the first day, I knew it was where I was supposed to be for my next phase of service to our parish.   The position grew into Director of Pastoral Ministry.  My duties include Homebound visits, meeting with families and individuals, overseeing the Pastoral Ministry Committee, Homebound Ministers, Bereavement card ministry,  the prayer chain, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Coffee, Tea & Thee, Birthday Calls and Retreats.   I still answer the phone and greet the people who come in to visit or buy scrip. 
 
I’ve worked as a chaplain for DSHC since 1998.  Currently, I work one day a week for Aspirus,
 
For the past 11 years, I’ve operated a Corporate Guardianship Service called G and N Services.  The G stands for God and the N for Nancy.  Together we have accomplished great things.  
 
I’ve lived at Saddle Ridge for the past 14 years. That’s the longest I’ve lived anywhere in my life.  I am blessed to have two sons, 5 granddaughters and two great granddaughters.  They bring me much joy and laughter.  Grandma is a title I wear with pride. 
 
My personal mission statement is to live with an attitude of gratitude and an awareness to give and receive the blessings of each day and to provide a safe place to land during the storms of life. 
 
St Mary parish has been a rewarding place to work, grow in grace and service the Lord and His people.   
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Phone: 608-742-6998 ext. 217
Email: Click Here to Email Me

Ann Sirianni - Director of Religious Education / Faith Formation
​St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception - Portage

I’m Ann Sirianni and I am the Director of Faith Formation in our parish. I grew up
in La Crosse, WI and attended St. Pius X parish, which truly planted and watered a
ministry seed in my life. I knew from 8 th grade on that I wanted to work in church
ministry because of the wonderful examples I had in my parents, pastor, youth
minister, and school principal. I graduated from the College of St. Benedict with a
degree in theology and after a couple of years ministering in a parish I went back
to school at Saint John’s University School of Theology/Seminary for a Master’s
degree in Pastoral Ministry. I have served as a youth minister, Director of Faith
Formation, and pastoral associate for the last 35 years. I’ve been married to my
husband Pat for 22 years and am stepmother to his two children from a previous
marriage and “Granny Anny” to four wonderful grandsons.
My ministry here at St. Mary’s includes working with students and their families
including Sacramental prep. Adult Faith Formation is a part of my ministry too and
includes Book Club, Bible Study, and RCIA. I also help with Liturgy of the Word
with Children.

Chris Clark - Parish Services and Communications
​St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception - Portage