Meet: Karla Olmanson
Karla Olmanson teaches a half day of 5th and 6th grade classes, plus music, for grades 1-6 at Immanuel Lutheran School in Mankato, Minnesota.
She has been teaching there since 1985. A graduate of ILC in 1969, Karla first taught for three years in Red Wing, Minn. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran School. In the summer of 1972 she married Leif Olmanson, also a teacher. The couple lived in Jamestown, N.Dak. where Karla helped out with music at Our Savior’s Lutheran School, taught piano, and began raising a family. They also lived in Austin, Minn. from 1976-1980 while Leif taught at St. Paul’s Lutheran School.
The couple has four children: Alan, a computer programmer at Firepond; Eric, a student at Minnesota State-Mankato; Jason, a student at the U. of Minnesota; and Sarah, a high school junior at Immanuel Lutheran in Mankato.
After moving to Mankato, Karla went on to earn a BS degree in education from ILC in 1991, and from Mankato State in 1994.
Karla’s favorite subject to teach is music. She considers the most rewarding part of teaching the discussion generated by Bible History lessons. Outside of the classroom she enjoys gardening, reading, singing in choir, playing the organ, and other musical interests.