Meet the Staff
Gene A Talley
Pastor Gene has been with Atonement since September 12, 2022. As senior pastor he serves as our primary preacher and worship leader, works closely with the Congregation Council to provide leadership and vision for the congregation, and oversees the amazing staff listed on this page.
Pastor Gene is also an executive coach, holding an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential through the International Coaching Federation (ICF). He serves the larger church as an ELCA Coach Trainer and Mentor Coach, and has served congregations and individuals within the ELCA as a Stewardship Coach and Vitality Coach.
In his free time Pastor Gene enjoys reading, especially Star Wars novels. He mostly plays guitar for his own enjoyment/amusement, but you might hear him play around Atonement from time to time. He aspires some day to be a decent wood carver. He wishes he had more time to spend outside, hiking and camping.
Pastor Gene and his wife Sarah live in New Berlin, along with one to three of their children (two spend most of their time at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN – Um Ya Ya!).
“I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
Deacon Doug Krekling
Doug is Atonement’s new Interim Minister, having started on
June 3, 2024. It’s wonderful to be here in this part-time role to help share with you in the good news of Christ working in community and through the ministries of your church family!
Family: My best friend and wife, Lisa and I, have been married for 36 years. We have one beautiful, loving, caring daughter Hilary who resides in the area. Lisa and I have been business partners for twenty-five years owning and operating multiple Cousins Subs franchise locations in the Milwaukee metro area. We sold our last location in November, 2018. Lisa is now employed by Landmark Credit and our daughter is Vice-President of Operations at Cousins Subs.
Ministry Background: I completed seminary studies in 2014, called into full-time ministry in 2015, commissioned Associate In Ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in 2016, and in 2018, ordained Deacon of Minister of Word & Service. I have been working in ministry in a variety of capacities: Director of Christian Life at Galilee in Pewaukee, Bridge/Interim Minister at Our Saviors in Oconomowoc, member of the Synod Candidacy Committee, member of Donor Development team for Outreach for Hope and now with you, as Transition Minister. Yeah!
I’m looking forward to learning more about the ways the power of the Holy Spirit is working personally in your own life and in community at Atonement.
†Blessing and †Peace as we together, continue to grow in the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Steve Joyal
Steve Joyal is Atonement’s Coordinator for Traditional Music, Organist and Choirs Director. Steve is married to Lis (flutist extraordinaire) and they have 4 adult children. He earned a bachelor of Music Education-Voice and Piano from the University of WI-Eau Claire and a Masters of Music-Choral Conducting from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Steve has served congregations as Director of Music and Organist for over 40 years.
He currently is the Music Director and Conductor of Milwaukee Liederkranz and Conductor of the Racine Dairy Statesmen. Steve has taught for almost 35 years in public and private schools including West Allis, Wauwatosa and Milwaukee.
Sarah Talley
Sarah Talley is Atonement's Contemporary Worship Leader. She is married to Gene, one of Atonement's pastors, and has the same kids he does. She loves creating music with others and finding new ways for worship music to help people connect with God.
When she's not at Atonement, Sarah teaches elementary music, reads a lot, and enjoys being outdoors.
Deacon Marian Wasierski
Marian Wasierski is Atonement’s Caregiving Communications Coordinator. Marian was rostered as an Associate In Ministry in the Greater Milwaukee Synod on November 9, 2004. Later the National Church changed the name to Deacon. Marian served as Chaplain, both in hospice and the community at large, at Luther Manor Life Plan community and retired September 3, 2023. Marian served as an Outreach Minister at an earlier call and for a time as a gero-psych nurse in a hospital.
In 2014 Marian became an oblate of St. Benedict at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, WI. Marian is an active member of Hephatha Lutheran Church in Milwaukee since 2017. Marian survived a hit and run reckless driving incident on September 4, 2022. She has since joined Enough is Enough ~ A Tribute to Erin, a local non-profit working to end reckless driving in Wisconsin.
Marian has been married for 42 years to Chaplain Ron Ballew. Together, they enjoy a family which includes three adult children, Emily, Joshua and Micah; their spouses George, Emily and Kate; and five grandchildren, Perez, Bowie and Fiona, Sloane and Ezra. .
Marian enjoys reading, exercising, watching movies, catching coffee time out with friends, and attending Bible study and spending time at the Monastery.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46: 10
Breanna Kuehn
Breanna Kuehn is Atonement’s Communications Coordinator.
My name is Breanna Kuehn and I am very excited to be working with Atonement. I was born and raised in Minnesota. I moved to Milwaukee to attend Marquette University.
My senior year I met my husband, Josh, who is from Burlington. We have been married for 15 years, and have a 3.5 year old son, Sawyer, a 9 year old daughter, Evelynn; and I have two grown step-children, who are 23 and 21. We love to travel as a family, hang out at the lake, ski and snowmobile.
Fun fact about me: When I was in 7th grade, my parents homeschooled me and my little sister and we traveled around the United States; staying at campgrounds and living out of a camper. I have been to every state except Alaska, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Hawaii.
Anne Farebrother
Anne Farebrother is Atonement’s Coordinator for Children & Family Ministry. Anne works closely with families and volunteers to create dynamic Christian learning opportunities for our school age children. Anne coordinates Kids BLAST (Sunday School), directs the Sunday school Christmas Program, and leads Stepping Stone classes for Prayer Bear Class, Second Grade Bible Workshop and First Communion classes. She is also the instructor for Little Steps Together which encourages preschool-age families to grow together in faith and go deeper in their relationship with God. Together, they enjoy learning about our Heavenly Father with bible stories, songs, games and crafts.
Anne and her husband, Tim enjoys attending concerts and spending time with their two adult daughters, Emily and Katelyn. In her free time, Anne likes to read, craft, go for walks, and sing in the worship team.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth (3 John 1:4)
Kara Mendez
Kara Mendez is Atonement’s Office Administrator, Program Assistant for Children Youth & Family Ministry and the Nursery Supervisor. Kara and her family have been members of Atonement since 2004 and has been serving in some capacity ever since including Nursery Coordinator, Early Childhood Team and teaching Adult Bible Study. Kara has served as the Program Assistant for Children, Youth and Family Ministries since 2014 and started Office Administration in 2020.
Kara has a heart for children's ministry and enjoys the privilege of serving the Atonement families and working alongside Atonement’s wonderful staff. She has been married to her husband Troy for over 20 years and they have three children Isabella, Alivia and Austin. Their family has lived in Muskego for over 20 years and are very involved with their community and local schools. Kara enjoys reading, walks, spending time with her family camping, doing yard work and swimming in their pool.
Bob Pugh
Bob Pugh is Atonement’s Custodian. Bob is married to his wife Sharon of 44 years. He has 2 grown children and 1 grandson. He is a lifelong resident of Waukesha, graduated from Waukesha High School, attended, UW River Falls and UW Whitewater, majoring in English.
He worked in Sales & Marketing as a Manufacturer’s Rep for food and beverage companies throughout the Great Lakes and Midwest Area.
He is happy to be the Custodian at Atonement Lutheran!