I feel it an honor to be on council. My Christian faith is the core of who I am and being on council is one way to step out in faith to see how I can be of service to my church family.

Throughout the years at Zion I have been involved in various types of youth ministry and I also sing in the choir.

Even though I am keeping up my license I have not been working as a Registered Nurse for many years. My previous RN jobs were at the University of Minnesota Hospital and at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth.

I love spending time with family and friends. Dan and I have 3 children: Leah, who is married to William, Karl , who is married to Lauren, and Claire.

Our family joined Zion in the fall of 1989. We actually joined Zion the same day as Pastor Todd and Kris Mattson. When we first met Todd and Kris they told us that my husband Dan’s Dad helped inspire Todd to go into the ministry. Pastor Palmquist was the pastor at the church that Todd would attend while visiting relatives and he loved Pastor Palmquist’s sermons. What a fun connection that was!!

Zion Story: My grandmother Esther Backe was one of Zion's first members which led my parents Randy & Carol Backe to Zion. My dad and I were both baptized, confirmed, and married at Zion. My husband Sean and I returned to Zion in 1999 when we moved back to Cloquet after 10 years in the Twin Cities. Our children Brady, Sydney and Keagan were all baptized and confirmed at Zion.

Experiences: I am a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. I have worked at Fond du Lac Human Services Division since 2002 and
coordinate the diabetes program.

In my free time I enjoy scrapbooking our family memories, traveling, playing cards, hiking, searching for heart rocks, agates, and seashells.

My Zion Story: My name is Becky Bills and I was baptized and raised at Zion.  As a youth, I was involved in youth group, New Wine and was even a youth representative on the council while in high school.  My husband Bob is a registered nurse at one of the Duluth Hospitals.  I have 3 children (7yo, 9yo and 11yo) who enjoy the youth activities at Zion and as a family we often attend SNAZ-E. I hope to bring a families perspective and needs to the council. 

Career: I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and have worked at Medica Health Plans for the last 15 years.  In my roll as a senior manager at Medica, I work with programs serving and supporting low income seniors and persons with disabilities in Minnesota which is very important to me.

Hobbies/Interests: In my free time, I like to spend time with my family, watch the kids play soccer, do crafts and find interesting shows on Netflix.

Zion story:  Mary joined Zion three years ago and is involved in the Hunger and Justice Committee and book club.  She is impressed by Zion's outreach to the community and commitment to serving those who are struggling to make ends meet.  There is a lot of love in this congregation.

Experiences:  Mary has a MA in Library Science and served as Cloquet Public Library director for over 30 years.  She retired six years ago and volunteers with several non-profits in the area.  

Mary and her dog, Junior, keep fit and busy hiking in the many beautiful state parks in Northeastern Minnesota.  She also is a lifelong genealogist and enjoys helping others find their family roots.