Meet Our Team

Connie Karstens, MS

Founder & President

For 30 years, Connie and her husband, Doug, have worked on their 180-acre sustainable livestock farm where sheep and other livestock are grazed. In 1996,

they opened a specialty on-farm USDA processing facility and retail store called the Lamb Shoppe. Connie offers private wellness consultations incorporating whole foods nutrition, herbs, stress management techniques, and other natural remedies to support and build overall health and re-balance the body.

Doug Rathke

Shepherd & Sheep Shearer

Doug is the shepherd and sheep shearer of the livestock at the Lamb Shoppe Farm. Doug has been shearing sheep for 35 years and shears with both machine and hand blades. Although he mostly shears farm flocks in the Midwestern United States, he also has had a variety of shearing experience throughout the US and abroad.

Clara Rathke,CHES, CHNC

Managing Director

Clara Rathke became interested in holistic health at a young age due to her own personal health struggles. Clara is a Certified Health Education Specialist since 2017. She is also certified in Holistic Nutrition Consulting from American College

of Healthcare Sciences and is currently working on her master's in Herbal Medicine. In 2017, she joined the family business full-time. As a health educator, Clara coordinates educational classes & events for the public. Clara strives to expand the Lamb Shoppe & Wellness Center to help empower health and wellness in the community. 

Shelly Heinen, PT

Shoppe Assistant, Tai Chi Instructor & Physical Therapist

Shelly joined the Lamb Shoppe Team in March 2018.  She has worked in healthcare for over 15 years and is continuously learning about health and healing.  Shelly also enjoys spending her time gardening, practicing yoga, and almost anything that involves being in the water and sunshine. At the Lamb Shoppe & Wellness Center, Shelly teaches Tai Chi classes & sees patients for acute and chronic pain, pre and post-surgical rehabilitation, balance impairments, dizziness/vertigo, incontinence issues, fibromyalgia, headaches, TMJ issues, injuries, women's health, lymphedema and much more. 

Cindy Anderson

Shoppe Assistant

Cindy joined the Lamb Shoppe Team in September 2019. She has a business degree and has worked in a variety of areas including mortgage banking, marketing/event planning, retail, and education. She is a wife and a mom to three adult boys. Cindy enjoys spending time with her family and friends whether it be entertaining at home, at the lake, or traveling to fun destinations. Other hobbies are cooking, baking, trying new recipes, golfing, scuba diving, and decorating her home for all the seasons/holidays. 

Angie Glieden

Shoppe Assistant

Angie joined the Lamb Shoppe team in October 2020. She is a wife and a mom of three kids. Angie enjoys homeschooling her kids and is the author of a children's book about their St. Bernard and other pets, called "Chicory Finn And The Places He's been." She also helps run her husband's Construction Business, Glieden Building and Remodeling, and her daughter's Home Bakery, SG's Sweet Treats. Angie loves animals, and all things natural, herbal, and non traditional. 

Patty Thorwardson

Gardener & Grounds Keeper

Patty joined the Lamb Shoppe team in May 2020. She helps keep up our beautiful Herbal Garden and greenhouse tidy, so we can offer fresh produce in the Shoppe grown right here on our farm.