Meet Our Staff

Rod Quanbeck, Executive Director
Rod Quanbeck came to serve as our Executive Director in the Summer of 2007. He hails from eastern North Dakota, where he attended Bible Camp every chance possible as a youth. During his college years he was a camp counselor, and then he served as the Director of Ministries 19 years at Park River Bible Camp. His education includes a Bachelor's degree from Moorhead State University, two years of Bible School, and a sabbatical period studying at Luther Seminary. He also studied with the American Camp Association to become a Certified Camp Director. Rod and his wife, Cryss, are the proud parents of two young girls. They live at camp and enjoy being a part of the camp community. Rod considers it a privilege to lead a ministry partnering with congregations and families committed to lifting up Jesus Christ in a way that will draw others to faith, worship, repentance, renewal and service in Christ.

Jim and Allison Sunde, Ingham Director
Jim and Allison have served Ingham Lake Bible Camp since the Fall of 1997; Jim as the Ingham Director and Allison as the assistant. Their love for outdoor ministry was kindled when their family was young, managing Camp Patmos in northern Minnesota for 11 years. They have three daughters who grew up surrounded by camping ministry, and two grandchildren who add joy to their lives.  Together they work to direct and develop Ingham as a place to draw campers unto a walk of Faith in our Lord Jesus.  To contact them at Ingham call 712-867-4170 or email ingham@rvtc.net.

Deanna Fritsch, Housekeeping
Deanna is in charge of Housekeeping here at camp. After working at camp from 1998-2000, she came back on full time in February of 2005. Originally from Spencer, Iowa, Deanna is married to Dave and has three sons: Noah, Jakob, and Isaac. Also rounding out the family are their pets: one dog, two cats, and Roger the snake. While Deanna is not so fond of the snake, she does enjoy walking everyday with her dog, Ashley, and also likes taking her boys to the beach in the summer. Her favorite Bible verse comes from Psalm 9:1, “I will praise you, O Lord, with all of my heart.” Deanna enjoys working at camp because of the people and the flexibility.

Dennie Fry, Director of Maintenance

Bio coming soon!

Kevin Hale, Director of Food Ministry

Bio coming soon.

Pastor Lee Laaveg, Development and Relations

Bio coming soon!

Steve "Mitsu" Bishey, Art Services
Steve first started working at camp the summer of 1983, when he was a counselor. He earned an art degree with illustration emphasis and a drama minor from Weaver State in Utah. After the summer of 1985, Steve came on staff full time at the camp and has served in various capacities since then. He’s worked in the kitchen, done maintenance, housekeeping, and currently does large-scale banner work, photography, and is the in-house computer technician. His life verse is Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” In his spare time, Steve enjoys Beta testing for video games, experimenting with food (he’s an amateur chef!), and playing percussion in the worship band. He maintains that “The main thing is to keep the main thing [Jesus] the main thing.” Contact Mitsu at okoboji@okoboji.org.

Betty Parrish, Office Ministry
Betty's job here at camp is “decorative and office ministry.” She began working at Okoboji in January 1982. At that time, only five people were on staff, so they were called on to do anything and everything, but Betty now specializes in office work and decorating for special camp events. She and her husband Fran have two daughters and three granddaughters; Betty loves being a grandma! A former hairdresser, Betty also loves antiques, decorating, spending time with friends, and singing in the choir at First Lutheran Church in Milford, where she is an active member. Her favorite Bible passage is Psalm 51, which emphasizes daily renewal in the Lord. Betty loves working at camp because of the people in ministry—the growth that happens in a group of believers of all ages.

Jane Wiest, Retreat Coordinator
Jane has worked at camp since the spring of 2002 and currently serves as the Retreat Coordinator here at Okoboji. A former teacher originally from Sioux City, Iowa, Jane has attended Cottey College, Oklahoma State, and the University of Texas, and has degrees in Family Relations & Child Development and Special Education, as well as a master’s in Special Ed. Jane and her husband Charlie, an attorney, have two children, Katie and Michael. Jane enjoys remodeling, gardening, scrapbooking, tennis, pottery, knitting, and walking. She cites John 15 as her favorite Bible passage and likes working at camp because it’s a place where you can make a difference. Contact Jane at retreat@okoboji.org.

Dan Antoine, Director of Programs
Dan hails from Luverne, Minnesota. He worked summers at camp while attending Augustana College, and after graduating with a degree in Elementary & Middle School Education, joined the full-time staff the fall of 2005. He and his wife, Allison, also on staff here, have been married since August 26, 2006. They also stay fit chasing around their 1 1/2 year-old daughter! A big fan of pizza, Dan is adept at playing the guitar, writing music, drawing on an etch-a-sketch, and doing word games & puzzles. Psalm 40:1-3 is his favorite Bible passage because it reminds him how much God has done for him. Dan’s favorite thing about working at camp is helping people understand that this whole “faith” thing, this “God” thing is so much more than a twice-a-week activity—it is living truly. It is worth living and dying for. It means everything.

Allison Antoine, Day Camp Coordinator
After working as a counselor the summer of 2006, Allison joined the year-round staff the fall of 2006. She serves as the Day Camp Coordinator here at the camp, writing curriculum, coordinating with churches, and overseeing the summer Day Camps. Allison hails from the St. Cloud, Minnesota, area. She attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, from which she graduated with degrees in French & Modern Foreign Languages and Secondary Education. On August 26, 2006, she was married to Dan Antoine, “the greatest husband in the world,” who is also on staff here. Allison’s favorite Bible verse is 2 Corinthians 3:17 because “the power of Christ has set me free,” she says. Allison loves music (she plays piano and drums), being in nature, languages, traveling, and being a mommy to their daughter.