Who We Are

Holy Family Ranch is an independent nonprofit led by the laity dedicated to creating the context where encounters with Jesus are likely. Holy Family Ranch will provide an authentically Catholic place for strong Catholic ministries to thrive in their outreach to youth and families.

Holy Family Ranch is organized as a 501(c)(3) under federal law and contributions made to this apostolate are tax deductible.

Strategic Planning

Holy Family Ranch has entered purchase agreements for 150 acres of land near Scribner, Nebraska, which sits about 45 minutes from Omaha and many other rural communities. We are engaging in an initial capital campaign to build facilities that can be used by summer camp organizations, youth groups, and other ministries with whom we have built strong partnerships within our community. We have a team of missionary disciples who are going throughout the Archdiocese of Omaha to spread the word about Holy Family Ranch.

We are looking for financial supporters and people to join our many committees who are helping to develop this project. While this is a big undertaking, we have been astounded by the talent and generosity of the community in our Archdiocese. If you are interested in becoming a financial partner or donating your talent, please reach out!

Board Members

Dan Leuck

Dan currently lives in Omaha with his lovely wife, Terri, and youngest daughter. He has been self-employed doing home repair and remodeling since 1999. Prior to this, he was a salesman for nine years, a welder for five and photographed weddings, family portraits & graduation pictures for roughly 20 years. Dan has served on parish councils, been involved with Boy Scouts as well as Trail Life. He has been associated with the Knight of Columbus for many years and is a past Grand Knight for Council #13956. He has gone on the March for Life as a chaperone with St. Peter Parish and is involved with Camp Virtus et Veritas, a Catholic camp ministry.

His hope is for youths to experience the love of God, grow in their faith, and share that faith with their friends and family.

Terri Leuck

Terri currently lives in Omaha with her amazing husband, Dan, and their youngest daughter. She has homeschooled all their kids for different lengths of time and occasionally helps Dan out with his home repair and remodeling business. She loves learning, being creative, helping others, deepening her faith life, and enjoying the outdoors. She has been on the March for Life as a chaperone with St. Peter Catholic Church a few times, Steubenville Conference and has been involved with Camp Virtus et Veritas, a Catholic camp ministry, since its inception.

Terri believes prayer is our most powerful weapon and that we are all called to become saints. Her hope is to help as many people as she can on their journey to sainthood.

Father Walter Nolte

Born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Father Walter Nolte has been in living in the Omaha area since 1997. In 1998, he began seminary studies for the Archdiocese of Omaha and was ordained a priest on June 7, 2003.

Fr. Nolte has served at various parishes, both rural and urban, in the Archdiocese. He was the Parochial Vicar at
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish (2003 – 2006) and at Sacred Heart in Norfolk (2006 – 2009). He served as Pastor for St. Ludger Parish in Creighton, Nebraska, and St. Ignatius Parish in Brunswick, Nebraska (2009 – 2012). He was pastor of St. Bernard Parish in Omaha (2012 – 2017) and, currently, he is pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Fremont.

Since completing the Institute for Priestly Formation training program in spiritual direction in 2007, Fr. Nolte has provided spiritual direction for priests, deacons, religious, laity, and seminarians throughout the Archdiocese of Omaha. In May of 2022, he completed a two-year online program with Encounter Ministries out of Brighton, MI.

Fr. Nolte has a passion for proclaiming the gospel message to people of all ages. He believes that each of us need to encounter Jesus in the world around us before we can tell others about the One who loves us so profoundly. He is always open to praying with someone at any given moment.

Alex Engelkamp

Alex Engelkamp is a lawyer for First National Bank of Omaha specializing in contracts, privacy and security, and employment law. Previously in his legal career, Alex worked for Home Instead, Inc. and Kutak Rock. He also enjoys advising early-stage startups and small businesses on the side. He is a cradle Catholic with a devotion to the Benedictine and Franciscan ways of living. Alex is passionate about bringing people together. He leads small groups and enjoys volunteering on the boards of directors for non-profit organizations including a national organization, Catholic Beer Club, and the local chapter of Young Catholic Professionals. Alex is excited to build up a place of spiritual oasis for persons in need of respite from our fast-paced world. Alex attends St. Philip Neri-Blessed Sacrament Church in Omaha with his wife and five children.

Pete Wheelhouse

Pete is a Business Architect at PNC Bank, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA (working full time remote from Omaha). He has a BA in History with a Minor in Spanish from the University of South Dakota (USD). He also holds an MBA from USD. He is passionate about ensuring the youth of tomorrow are centered, well grounded, and have the opportunity to grow into strong, spiritual adults. He spends much of his free time supporting various charities, watching his sons play sports or music, and tending to several different collections (everything from vinyl records to Bourbon)!

Deacon Bart Zavaletta

Deacon Bart was born and raised in South Texas but has called Omaha his home ever since 2010. He and his wife, Erin, are blessed with 5 children. They are members of St. Vincent de Paul parish in Omaha. He teaches Theology at Skutt Catholic high school. He is a passionate teacher who works to re-evangelize and form the youth. He loves the gift of his marriage and family. He believes his consecration to St. Joseph, the patron of husbands, fathers and families, is what inspires him to develop lasting bonds with his wife and children. He also finds the meaning of his life and vocation revealed and fulfilled while assisting and interceding at the Altar of Sacrifice.

Stacie Roberts

Stacie Roberts is the Director of Finance for St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and Bergan Catholic School in Fremont. She lives in Scribner, NE with her husband Joe. Joe and Stacie have 6 kids and 2 grandkids that keep them very busy. Their 2 youngest children, attend Bergan Catholic School in Fremont. Stacie is very involved in the school and their activities. She also serves as the Cheer and Dance Coach at Bergan and can be found in the stands watching all of the school’s activities. Stacie is very excited to be a part of Holy Family Ranch. This will be an amazing opportunity for our children and families to become closer to God and have a place where they can get away from it all, to reflect, and just sit with God. Stacie, and Joe and their 2 children attend St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Scribner, NE.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Holy Family Ranch?

Holy Family Ranch will be a Catholic camp in the Omaha Archdiocese with a mission to provide a place for youth and families to encounter Jesus.

Why do we need Holy Family Ranch?

Because many people have not experienced the love of Jesus. 52% of people who were raised Catholic have fallen away from the faith, and among those who fell away, 63% of them said that they no longer considered themselves Catholic by the age of 17. There are ministries in our community that are addressing these problems, but they cannot expand because they need a place like Holy Family Ranch.

Who will Holy Family Ranch serve?

Ministry partners who run summer camps, family festivals, high schools, youth groups, religious education programs, and many other kinds of Catholic ministries. The facilities will also be available periodically for families to rent and spend time with their family in a faith-filled environment.

Where is Holy Family Ranch?

Holy Family Ranch will be built in Scribner, NE. The campus is 15 minutes from Fremont, and is within an hour drive of places like Omaha, Westpoint, Madison, Norfolk, Tekamah, and Blair. We have signed agreements to purchase 150 acres of land, but we have not yet closed on it. Before we can purchase the land outright, we need to raise $900,000. To do this, we are asking generous people like you to consider sponsoring the purchase of at least one acre of land for $6,000 per acre. This is called our Path to 150 campaign.

What kind of facilities will be available at Holy Family Ranch?

Holy Family Ranch will be built in phases. The first phase will include basic infrastructure, some simple outdoor structures for storm safety and a shower house. This will allow ministries to host outdoor events and other adventurous overnight experiences. The second phase will include additional activities, cabins, a dining hall, and a chapel. The third phase will include RV spots and additional beautification and sanctification of the campus.

Who is running Holy Family Ranch? Is there a Board of Directors?

Holy Family Ranch is run completely by volunteers and major decisions are made by the Board of Directors. For more information about the team, check out our website. If you are interested in learning more about Holy Family Ranch, subscribe to our newsletter here! Want to get involved? Email aengelkamp@holyfamilyranch.org.

How can I support HFR?

We need time, talent, and treasure. If you would like to give financially, please either send a check to PO Box 12499, Omaha, NE 68112 or by visiting our website. Holy Family Ranch is registered as a 501(c)(3) and donations to this ministry are tax deductible.