My name is Mark Quade and I am a bus driver. I currently drive School District of Holmen students on Bus #175. You will also find students from St. Patrick’s and St. Paul’s in Onalaska riding my bus. Prior to driving bus for the past 5 years, I was in television news for 18 years and also worked as Stewardship Specialist with ELCA for 7 years.

I am married and have two adult sons. I enjoy playing racquetball, feeding birds and singing. I once worked for as a singing waiter at the Lodge in Stowe, Vermont.

My name is John Ceponis and I have been a van driver for the School District of Holmen for the past 4 years and currently drive Van J.

I have been married for 40 years and have 2 children and 4 grandchildren.

Prior to driving van, I was in the printing industry for 38 years.

I enjoy playing golf.

My name is Jim LaSarge and I currently drive Bus #33 and have worked in the School District of Holmen for the past 14 years and also drove bus for La Crosse for 14 years. I love driving bus and meeting new students and parents. Taking extra bus trips allows me to also meet teachers and coaches.

I am married and have 2 children and a pet named Lucy. I enjoy camping, fishing, hunting and old cars.

Prior to driving bus, I worked at Gateway Foods in La Crosse for 35 years.

“Love to work with students and parents and love the 4K students.”

‘ My name is Debbie Giesler and I have been a secretary for the School District of Holmen for 31 years. Prior to coming to the TMT I worked at Evergreen as a 10 month secretary.

I have been married for 44 years have 2 daughters, 2 grandchildren and 1 grand dogs.

Before coming to the school district I worked as a Medical Assistant in La Crosse and Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

My hobbies include camping, doing cross-stitch, knitting and quilting.

My name is Tom Johnson and I have been a bus driver for the School District of Holmen for 5 years and currently drive Bus #132. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked at Fleming Foods for 25 years and retired from D-Lux Screen Printing after 7 years.

I am married and have two children and one grandchild.

When not at work I enjoy playing golf, fishing and watching sports.

“No matter what you do, always do it the best you possibly can.”

My name is Steve Russell and I have been a bus driver for the School District of Holmen for 15 years and currently drive Bus #116. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked for 28 years as a heavy equipment mechanic/inspector at Ft. McCoy. I was in the Army for 3 years and 28 years in the Army Reserves.

I have been married for 44 years with two children and one grandchild.

When not at work I enjoy Nascar, fishing woodworking and foreign traveling.

“Learn something new each day.”

My name is Tammy Lee and I have been a bus driver for the School District of Holmen for 15 years and currently drive Bus #141.

I have a black toy poodle named “Baxter”.

When not at work I enjoy going to rummage sales and hanging out with my grandkids.

“Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”

“If you can’t say anything nice….don’t say anything at all.”

My name is Warren Zielke and I have been a bus driver for the School District of Holmen for 8 years and currently drive Bus #155. Prior to coming to Holmen I was a police officer in La Crosse for 30 years.

I have been married for 50 years and have 4 children (all graduates of Holmen) and 8 grandchildren (6 of them attend Holmen schools).

When not at work I enjoy fishing, camping, watching my grandchildren play sports, plays, singing and dancing.

My name is Carol Fieselman and I have been a bus driver for the School District of Holmen for 4 years and currently drive Bus #53. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked as a teacher in South Dakota and then worked for Fed-Ex for 27 years.

My pets consist of horses and Huskies.

When not at work I like to travel, hobby ranch, kayak, camp, bike, snowshoe and Cross Country ski. I also enjoy doing Bible study and fellowship.

“Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.”

My name is Dan Garrett and I have been a bus driver for the School District of Holmen for three and a half years and currently drive Bus #87. Prior to coming to Holmen I was a stay at home dad for 10 years.

I am married to my wife Jolene and have three boys – Deej, Riley and Ronan. We also have two dogs.

When not at work I enjoy hiking, camping, mountain biking and sports with the kids.

My name is Wayne Killian and I have been a bus driver for the School District of Holmen for 10 years and currently drive Bus #154. Prior to coming to Holmen I owned my own siding business for 35 years.

I have been married for 47 years and have two children and six grandchildren. I currently have no pets but have had Golden Retrievers for 34 years.

When not at work I enjoy playing golf a lot, but some physical issues have moved me more to fishing.

“Where ever you go, there you are.” “Once you leave you have been there.”

My name is John Husie and I have been a bus mechanic for the School District of Holmen for 18 years. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked as a mechanic in La Crosse, WI for 24 years and also taught an automotive night class for one year.

I am married and we have a small dog named DJ

When not at work I enjoy fishing, hiking and playing the guitar.

My favorite Bible scripture is John 3:16

My name is Dave Benz and I have been a bus driver for the School District of Holmen for four years and currently drive Bus #98. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked in retail sales for Kellogg’s.

I am married and have two daughters and two grandchildren.

When not at work I enjoy puttering around on the golf course and participating in family activities.

“Life is too short. Enjoy every moment.”

My name is Ken Williams and I have been a bus driver for the School District of Holmen for the past six years and currently drive Bus #188. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked in sales.

When not at work I enjoy fishing and camping.

My name is Lawrence “Vinny” Valdez and I have been a bus driver for the School District of Holmen for the past two years and currently drive Bus #177. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked for 30 years with Ciatti’s Italian Restaurant.

When not at work I enjoy hunting and family time.

I have three Yorkshire Terriers: Pepe, Snickers and Emme.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle

My name is Kim Booth and I have been a van driver for the School District of Holmen for the past six years. I currently drive Van F. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked in sales and management.

I am married with two daughters and one son. I have two dogs named Lucky and Bandit.

When not at work I enjoy fishing and camping.

“Treat others as you would like them to treat you.”

My name is Connie Johnson and I have been a van driver for the School District of Holmen for the past three years. I currently drive Van K. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked in the travel industry and volunteered at my grandchildren’s school.

I have a 7 ½ year old Yorkie Schnauzer named Ernie.

When not at work I enjoy reading and walking.

My college major was Early Childhood Education. I love kids!

My name is John Popple and I have been a bus driver for the School District of Holmen for the past 18 years. I currently drive Bus #103. Prior to coming to Holmen I was a supervisor in the hardware business as well as the heating and cooling business.

I am married, have one daughter and two cats.

When not at work I enjoy reading, gardening, hiking, and cross country skiing.

My name is James Harder and this is my first year as a bus driver for the School District of Holmen. I currently drive Bus #183. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked for First Student, Slumberland and the La Crosse Tribune.

I have a black cat name Luna.

When not at work I enjoy playing video and board games.

My name is Dan Wemette and this is my second year as a bus driver for the School District of Holmen. I currently drive bus #74. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked for Trane Co. for over 40 years.

I have three children and one dog.

When not at work I enjoy trap shooting.

My name is Joe Slattery and this is my sixth year as a bus driver for the School District of Holmen. I currently drive bus #163. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked as a manufacturing extension agent.

I am married to my wife Carol and have two children and four grandchildren along with two black cats.

When not at work I enjoy reading and traveling.

My favorite saying is “What could go wrong? What could possibly go wrong?”

My name is Damian Bork and this is my ninth year as a bus driver for the School District of Holmen. I currently drive bus #131. Prior to coming to Holmen I worked at Sacia Orchards and Brickl Bros. Along with driving bus, I currently work for Lawn Care Specialists and Drugan’s Golf Course.

I am married to my wife Rhonda and have two daughters. I also have a dog named Sophie.

When not at work I enjoy golfing and gardening.

My favorite saying is “Treat others as you would like to be treated!”

My name is Andrew Lefebre and this is my first year as a bus driver for the School District of Holmen. I currently drive bus #176. I am also a Pastor of 28 years.

I have one dog, 20 chickens, 8 ducks and 1 goat.

When not at work I enjoy woodworking and mission work.

“He is no fool who loses what he cannot keep, to keep what he could never lose.” ~Jim Elliot

My name is Greg Klinkhammer and I have been driving one year for the School District of Holmen. I currently drive Van V (Project LIVE Van). Prior to coming to Holmen, I was a master baker and retired after 50 years. I am a past board member of the Retail Bakers of America.

I am married with five children and five grandchildren.

When not at work I enjoy sports, fishing and board games.

I enjoy driving the LIVE van and getting to know the young people I drive.

My name is Cheryl Makay and although I started working at the School District of Holmen as a substitute janitor five years ago, I am just wrapping up my first year of school bus driving. I currently drive bus #4. Prior to my first year of driving, I held positions in various industries from working in telecommunications to owning and operating my own business as well as being a stay at home mom.

I am married with one daughter, one son and one granddaughter. I currently have a border collie/heeler rescue pup with a bizarre personality.

When not at work, I enjoy reading, working on my genealogy, taking classes, canoeing, and bicycling. When my husband retires, we plan on some serious traveling.

“Be thankful for what you have, as well as for what you don’t have.”

My name is Tim Burkhalter and this will be my first year as a regular bus driver. I currently drive bus # 53. Prior to my first year of driving, I was a sub bus driver for one year. For the past 15 years, I have owned my own Graphic Design business.

I have been married to my wife Kim for 25 year and have four children that attend school in the Holmen School District.

When not at work, I love being in the outdoors, backpacking and hiking, mountain biking, running, fishing and camping.