William “Bill” Deskin
Pastor
Pastor Bill Deskin was born in Davenport Iowa and then moved to Des Moines area when he was three. He lived most of his life in the Johnston area. After graduating from High school Bill served four years in the U.S. Navy. Bill worked a couple of jobs before answering the call into ministry. His first job was as a security and fire alarm installer and repair technician traveling a three-state area. He then went to work for the cable industry in Des Moines for 33 years retiring in December of 2012. Bill was called by God into the ministry several years ago and went to school to become a second career pastor. Bill’s first appointment was with Immanuel UMC in Des Moines Iowa as the Associate Pastor whose main focus was congregational care.
Building relationship with God and caring for others has always been a focus for Bill. Since coming to Emmanuel in January 2013 Bill’s goal has been to help Emmanuel and the Granger community to build a loving and caring relationship with God and each other. Bill feels it is through our talents and gifts from God that we the church are able to reach out to the community to share the love of Jesus Christ. Bill appreciates the church’s willingness to be part of an ecumenical movement through sharing the love of God that brings joy to the heart.
Bill has a wonderful family of which he is extremely proud of and blessed by. Bill and his lovely wife were married for almost 41 years before she passed away. Together they raised two daughters. Their oldest daughter Dianna, works for Holmes Murphy Insurance and is a talented musician vocally and plays the flute. Dianna is very active in the church and shares her love for God in many ways. Dianna has many creative and caring talents and she shares through her quilting and photography. Their youngest daughter Bethany is an Elementary Music Teacher in Des Moines at Stowe Elementary School. She is also talented in music vocally and plays the French horn. Bethany is married to Ryan Schmitt and together they have three very handsome young sons: Bennett, Jude and Everett. Bethany and Ryan are both very musical and share their gifts with the church. Bethany also shares her gift and love of photography.
Music is, and always has been, a very important part of the Deskin household.
Kelsey Bodensteiner
Administrative Assistant
(515) 999-2215
Hi! My name is Kelsey Bodensteiner. I am from Woodward and I graduated from Woodward-Granger High School. I have an associates degree from DMACC in Criminal Justice. I enjoy reading, baking and getting together with friends. I am very excited to be working here and I appreciate all of the help I have received!
Barb Chambers
Organist
Barb enjoys a unique history with the EUMC as she was both baptized and married at EUMC. Barb has been married for over 50 years and has been blessed with four daughters and twelve grandchildren. Barb and her husband Ross lived in three different states before returning to Iowa in 1981. During this time, Barb had the pleasure of serving as youth choir director and chancel choir director. Upon returning to Iowa, Barb has served EUMC in several roles including Sunday School Music Programs, Chancel Choir Director (17 years), and worship accompanist.
Council of Ministries
Leadership Council
A One Board leadership council that discusses all the workings of the church both within our church and outreach to the community. This group covers everything that was previously discussed by Ad Council. The Council of Ministries one board approach was voted and agreed upon by the congregation and began meeting in March 2020.
Meets each month after morning service (check the calendar). These folks are the people to contact with any questions or concerns.
Jeanne Amis
(2025)
Jeanne Amis was born and raised in Kansas. She has been an Iowa resident since 1987 and joined Emmanuel United Methodist Church in 1997. Jeanne enjoys various activities in the church including singing, participating in Bell Choir, and the Bible studies as well as the church chat group.
Jeanne and her husband, Jeff Vincent, have 5 children and 10 grandchildren between them. Jeanne and Jeff enjoy spending time with family as well as various activities including camping, traveling, and playing pickle ball.
What Jeanne likes most about Emmanuel is the feeling of community – of being cared for and loved. She also likes how EUMC strives to be a better church and meet the needs of the community.
Jana Browns
(2026)
Hello! My family and I moved to Granger in 2017. I grew up in Tingley, a small town in southwest Iowa. I later moved to Des Moines to attend college at AIB. During my spare time I like to play competitive volleyball or pickleball. I love coffee, puzzles, walking, reading, gardening, and learning new things! We also enjoy cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. I’m glad to be part of a growing church and community.
Sarah Canova
(2025)
Sarah resides in Dallas Center with her husband Tanner, son, Cooper Vincent, and 2 dogs Mojo and Blossom. When not working at the Iowa State University Creamery, she enjoys helping on her parent’s family farm, gardening, and walking her dogs.
Ross Chambers
(2026)
I was born in Waterloo, IA, raised in the Air Force until I was 10 years old, returned to Waterloo after my father died in a plane crash and graduated from West High School. I spent two years at Wartburg College playing basketball and not studying. Graduated from Gates Business College in Waterloo with an accounting degree and spent my career in sales – primarily on-farm agricultural equipment. We moved to Granger in 1981 after living in four different states. I am presently semi-retired and drive a van delivering parts for Arnold Motor Supply.
I met the love of my life, Barbara, in 1966 while she was attending UNI. We were married in this church in 1967 and have four daughters, 12 grand kids, and one great granddaughter. My primary hobby is following the grandchildren in their various extracurricular school activities. I have been a member of this church since moving to Granger and have served in a number of administrative positions numerous times.
Merle Hall
(2025)
Our family moved to Granger in the fall of 1982, and we started attending Emmanuel sometime shortly after they sawed the roof off of the old church and just as the then-current pastor was leaving. I’ve done a wide variety of things – designed graphics, written articles, attended Annual Conference, Ad Council president a time or two, Men’s Club president a time or two, helped trim trees and numerous other things I’m sure I’ve forgotten.
Marsha grew up in Abilene, Texas, and we have been married forty-six years. We have three sons: Austin, a bread baker in NYC; Evan, a data programming consultant in Minneapolis; and Aaron, also a bread baker, in Mount Vernon, Iowa.
Valerie Kuehl
(2025)
I was born and raised in Granger, Iowa. I work as a Global Director, Client Success for TELUS International which allows me to travel across the world and meet a lot of interesting people and get to know different cultures.
I currently reside on an acreage outside of Woodward with my husband, Robert whom I have been married to for 33 years. We have two great kids- Austin, who works for the family business and has coached varsity Football for Woodward-Granger for ~10 years. Our daughter, Miranda is the Operations Director for Global Wellness Clinic in Madrid.
I have been a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church since I was very young. The thing that resonates most with me about EUMC, is there is always a since of belonging, love and kindness.
Wesley Maddock
(2025)
Wesley moved to Granger in 2017 from Arkansas with his wife Maddison and two daughters Adeline and Isabelle. He is active in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and works as a Mechanic for the U.S. Postal Service When not working he enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, bowling, and watching football.
Doralyn Moorehead
Co-chair (2024)
I have lived in Granger and have attended Emmanuel United Methodist church all my life. My husband Jerry and I have 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren. I really enjoy the stories of the elderly of our church; they have so much to share. When I am not playing Pickleball, I am walking, bell choir, babysitting my grandchildren or bible study class. God, Family and the Green Bay Packers and in that order!!!!
Jil Proctor
(2026)
I’m Jil, I am currently the treasurer for the church. I have been involved at EUMC for over 30 years. I enjoy working outside in the yard, spending time with my grandkids and knitting prayer shawls.
Mike Wessels
Co-chair (2024)
I was Born in Holland Michigan 01-06-1945 to Merle E Wessels and Kathryn
McCreery. My father was a Seminary Student at Hope College at that time.
EDUCATION
K-8 one room rural schoolhouse.
9-12 Sigourney High, Sigourney, Ia.
Central College 3 semesters
Have attended several training sessions associated with operation of various mechanical equipment to keep IOSH safety training current. Have had certified CPR training.
Was a licenced plumber/pipe fitter in 4 states plus Iowa.
MARRIED
Married Cheryl A Finch on 01 29 1966.
Three Daughters:
Charlyn (Jeff) Mason, Nevada, Ia.
Renae( Dan ) Tool, Reasnor, Ia.
Amy (Brian) Evans, Granger Ia.
nine Grandchildren, five Great Grandchildren
WORK HISTORY:
Early portion of my life was spent on a farm that raised cattle, hogs and sheep for marketing purposes. All the crops we grew were used to feed our livestock to market. We butchered our own meat beef, pork and chickens. One year we had almost 500 roosters to eat. Also raised 100-plus laying birds each year. Oh yes, we milked 5 to 8 cows by hand year around. (Strange, when I left the farm they sold the milk cows and installed gas heating. No more wood cutting for wood to heat with.)
Our potato patch produced 400-500 lbs., sweet corn freezing would produce 60 to 100 quarts per season. We had a large garden that also produced several quarts of tomatoes, peas, beans and carrots, plus many daily fresh vegetables. Also had large strawberry patch, rhubarb and various fruit trees.
Definitely some of the best days of my life. Hard work, but set the hook for the rest of my life.
HOBBIES:
Have always enjoyed gardening, playing Golf And enjoyed going to many activities that our Grand children were envolved in. Recently, we attended a couple of hockey games that our oldest Great Grand Daughter was playing in. God has been very good to me.
Cheryl and I have been a member of Granger Emmanual for 50-plus years. During that time I have served on several committees, Mens club president and, currently, co-chair of Council of Ministries.
Ten years ago, with the prodding of Frank Duroy, Gary Peggs, George Storm,Terrie Storm, Pastor Julie and others, I attended an event called Walk to Emmaus. On the third evening, GOD won. My life has changed for ever!
YES, GOD HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME
Michael Luke Wessels