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.”
Christine Pierce
Christine is a local who was born and raised just a few miles from the island in Haugen Wisconsin. She started her journey with Stout’s Island Lodge as a dishwasher when she was just a teenager. She continued to work for the island while going to school at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Once she graduated she took on the full-time role as our Event Coordinator. She left the island for a few years to grow her family, but is now back as our Event Coordinator as she has found that this is what she loves doing! When asked what the best part about this job was she said, "it is the relationship that I build with each couple in helping to make their wedding day everything that they’ve dreamed of."
Denise DeGidio
Denise has a long history with Stout’s Island Lodge and has been working in the Hospitality industry for nearly 35 years. In 1998, Denise spent four years living and managing at Stout’s Island, even braving winters with her husband as caretakers of the lodge in the off season. She has worked all areas of the industry and is currently teaching Hospitality Foundations, a program at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Rice Lake. Denise is looking forward to returning to a management role on the Island of Happy Days and to continue sharing her love for Stout’s with the guests of this magical island that she once called home.
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’.”