Meet the Team
Stephanie Laitala–Rupp
“What our guests talk about most is that this is the first time in their life they have relaxed. They are not checking their phones to see who emailed them or texted them–they leave it in their room. They don’t think about it. They think about who they are with.”
David Stillwell
Nothing thrills me like being in nature. What new experience will I have? What will I see that I never have before? Stout’s Island Lodge epitomized that mystery and wonderment when my family first visited here and paddle boarded for the first time and while kayaking, watched a bald eagle swoop out of the sky and grab a fish out of Red Cedar Lake (true story)! There is so much history here, so many amazing stories that I have heard from the many folks who have been coming to the island for their entire lives–I hope that you have the opportunity to visit and if you do, please take a moment and say hello and tell me what sort of wonderment the island offers you.
Helen Zorbist
Helen has over 25 years of restaurant hospitality experience and is a recent addition to our staff. “I am so excited to be a part of the Stout’s Island Family. It’s truly a beautiful and relaxing place. I enjoy meeting our guests and learning where the are from and the story that brings them to the Island of Happy Days. My favorite part of the Island is the beautiful garden with the lake as a back drop. It’s breathtaking!”
Kristy Lucas
A local herself, Kristy brings 20 years of direct knowledge to our team. She keeps coming back because she finds herself at true happiness when she can provide our guests with an experience that they won’t be able to forget. “As a manager, I love being able to interact with the guests that visit us and the staff that make working and staying at Stout’s Island Lodge an unforgettable experience.”
Brenda Poppe
“Being a part of the experiences our guests have on the Island makes every day more joyful than the last. I can’t wait to start each season–by January each year I am itching to get back to the Island.”
Kelly McRaith
“I have been creating/planting the gardens for over 20 years on Beautiful Red Cedar Lake. The lodge and grounds are truly a unique experience for all of our guests that visit Stout’s Island Lodge. My job is a Labor of Love–it gives me great pleasure to hear and see guests enjoying their stay at our beloved ‘ Island of Happy Days’.”