Jolene is a native of Britton, Michigan and loves the Great Lakes state! Jolene attended grade school at St. Paul's Lutheran in Ann Arbor. Jolene graduated from Lenawee Christian High School in Adrian, Michigan, in 1992. She attended Concordia University, River Forest, IL where she graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Exercise Science/Athletic Training. In 1998, she received her Director of Christian Education certification following a year-long internship at Faith Lutheran Church in DeMotte, Indiana.

Between her internship and call to Glendale, Jolene traveled to Nigeria, West Africa, on a short-term mission trip through LCMS World Missions. Jolene has served as Director of Children and Youth Ministries since April of 1999 at Glendale Lutheran Church. In 2004, she received the Master of Arts in Religion degree through Concordia University, River Forest.