LWML Nebraska North's Lisa (Fullner) Stirtz '84 fondly recalls time at Concordia Nebraska
Seward, NE (06/11/2025) — Lisa (Fullner) Stirtz '84 found her way to Concordia University, Nebraska through a friend. She was registered to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney, but her friend convinced her to attend Concordia to pursue a Lutheran Teaching Diploma and degree in special education. Stirtz has a bachelor's degree in special education and elementary education from the university.
"Concordia helped me grow my faith through my religion classes and chapel. Chapel was the best thing every day! I also attended church at St. John and enjoyed small group Bible studies," she said. "My professors there took interest in me and were concerned about me and wanted what was best for me. Judy Pruess was my favorite and is still a special lady in my life."
She met her husband, Craig Stirtz '83, during her time at the university, and the two have many life-long, special friends from their time on campus, she said.
"My Concordia experience prepared me to work with people of all types and taught me how to show love to many people," she said. "Concordia showed me lots of love and how to share this. It prepared me with many faith classes, faith-filled friends and professors. I had the best experience ever anyone could have."
Following graduation, she taught at a two-room schoolhouse in Winner, South Dakota, taught in a public school in Rising City and Bellwood, Nebraska, did home daycare for many years, taught preschool at King of Kings in Omaha and then became director of Wee Lambs Preschool in Gretna, Nebraska, for 20 years and retired from that adventure in 2022. She now serves as volunteer coordinator and marketing coordinator at Carol Joy Holling Camp in Ashland, Nebraska.
"At the present time, I work at a camp where children come in the summer to learn about Jesus and make new friends. I am now working with people who want to volunteer their time to help serve the camp. I also help with marketing and produce mailings for the camp," she explained. "I love my job right now. I love to help with volunteers and see the joy when they want to help other people. My job is at a camp outside Ashland, and it is a beautiful place to work."
Over the years, she has also had various involvements with LWML (Lutheran Women in Mission).
"I have been in Nebraska North LWML most of the time since graduation. I have been the vice president of Gospel outreach, which works with missions. I was the Nebraska North LWML President for four years," she said. "I am on the endowment committee for Nebraska north and on the national committee for the 2025 annual convention. I am one of the five coordinators for the convention. I am the guest services coordinator which involves registration, childcare, transportation and food services."
Her husband Craig works for the university as a gift planner counselor in the university's advancement office. He has served the university since 2017. They have been married for 41 years and have three children, two of whom are university alumni: Tyler, Jordan '13 and Kari '18. They have seven grandchildren.
"Concordia is a very special place to me and my husband and always will be," she said. "We have many great memories, are making them today and pray someday our grandchildren will go there too. I am very proud of Concordia. What a beautiful place!"
About Concordia University, Nebraska
Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.
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Lisa and Craig Stirtz
Concordia University, Nebraska
Amy Crawford, 402-643-7387, newsdesk@cune.eduShare this Story
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