Judy and Jim Garske established this scholarship in 2025 as a way to show their thankfulness to God for all the blessings they have received.
Judy has been a lifelong member of St. John in Rock Springs, Wisconsin. She is a charter member of the church’s altar guild and the church library committee. Jim became a St. John member when he married Judy in 1958. He has served several terms as church treasurer and was a founder of the St. John Endowment Fund.
After 50 years in banking, most recently as an internal auditor and an Accredited ACH Professional (AAP), Judy retired to travel with Jim. They have logged countless miles in their RVs. Those miles aren’t surprising, since Jim is a retired over-the-road truck driver, having traveled most of the lower 48 states. Jim also enjoys photography and collecting Minneapolis-Moline tractors. Their 40-acre hobby farm gives him plenty of driving room now that he isn’t in a semi anymore.
“We are overjoyed to support future workers in God’s kingdom and to be an example of Christian giving,” the couple states. “We do hope to make a difference.”
They recognize the challenges facing WELS and the need to support kingdom workers and their training. The Garskes hope that their scholarship will make a difference in the lives of future pastors and teachers.
Scholarship recipients are pre-seminary or education students who demonstrate financial need.
