Our Staff

Sierra was born and raised in Alaska and joined the United States Army right out of high school. She was stationed in Germany and deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II. She graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Management and Masters in Business Administration. Sierra was founder and co-owner of AZ Wilco L.L.C., a residential remodeling company for 4 years, before selling the company. In 2011,Sierra moved to Wisconsin and began working for Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care from 2012 to 2017 as a licensed Funeral Director. Her family relocated and she began work at the Milwaukee Regional Veterans Affairs Benefits Administration. In 2020 her family relocated to Lubbock, Texas, where she was hired as Texas Tech University Director for Veteran and Military Programs Department. After moving back to Wisconsin in 2022, she was drawn back to Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care because the company values and ethics align with hers. Sierra takes pride in Gunderson's devotion to serving the community and the company's high ethical standards. Sierra enjoys weightlifting, gardening, and spending time wiith her husband, three children, 2 dogs, and guinea pig.

A Wisconsin transplant, Rachel came to Madison by way of Chicago where she attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science. She immediately fell in love with the area and has delighted in making Madison her home. Originally from Colorado, Rachel received her degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she studied Sociology and Psychology. She is an avid runner, loves anything outdoors, and enjoys exploring everything Wisconsin has to offer. Rachel is thrilled to be a part of the Gunderson team and is dedicated to serving her community with honor, dignity and compassion.  

Skyler grew up in Stoughton, Wisconsin and graduated from Stoughton High School in 2015. He participated in sports, was a member of the Norwegian Dancers, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout during school. Following high school he attended the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. Here he found a passion for human and animal physiology and anatomy. Skyler attended Mortuary School at Des Moines Area Community College. He graduated from school and attained his funeral director license in 2020. Skyler is following in the footsteps of his great-grandparents, grandpa, and uncle. He is very proud of being a 4^th generation funeral director at Gunderson. Skyler enjoys skiing, golfing, scuba diving and hiking in the wilderness. He also loves raising alpacas on the family ranch and spending time with his family, friends, and dogs.

Dan was raised in the Sauk Prairie area and currently resides in Waunakee with his family. He has been a licensed funeral director since 1982 and a member of the Gunderson Funeral Homes since 1990. Experienced in serving all faiths and beliefs, Dan has assisted numerous families during a sensitive period in their lifetime.  He feels that trying to help people through the most challenging moment of their lives with the loss of a loved one and being able to make that difficult situation memorable and positive are what compel him to be a compassionate funeral director.

When he isn’t working, Dan enjoys spending time with his family being outdoors, going to sporting events and attending local area happenings.

Stephanie is formerly of North Freedom, Wisconsin. She graduated from Baraboo High School in 1990 Stephanie continued her education at the UW-Baraboo/Sauk County campus, focusing her career on being a registered nurse.  Her career took a different direction after she experienced the loss of a close family member. The positive experience at a terrible time was made possible through her hometown funeral director. Stephanie went on to graduate from Milwaukee Area Technical College with an associate degree in mortuary science, and began working at Gunderson Funeral Home in 1998. Stephanie currently resides in DeForest with her husband, David, and their children, Jordan and Taylor.

On the beautiful, Wisconsin winter days, you can find Stephanie downhill skiing. When all the wonderful snow has melted away, Stephanie enjoys biking and hiking in the state parks.

Kris grew up in the Town of Middleton, where she and her husband continue to live today.  She graduated from Middleton High School and went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree from UW–Madison.  When the opportunity presented itself with Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care, she was excited to join a team that has a great reputation of helping families with quality service.  When she's not working she loves visiting her grandbaby, going to the lake, cheering on the Badgers, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Brian was born in Chicago but moved to Minnesota as a child. He spent most of his youth and graduated from high school in White Bear Lake, MN. Brian obtained a business degree from Herzing University. He has worked in various human resource and management positions for 15 years and is excited to utilize his skill set at Gunderson’s because it is a well-known company with an esteemed reputation, and he is proud to be a member of such an amazing team. Brian enjoys rock climbing, white water kayaking and mountain biking. He also enjoys wood working and performing automotive fixes.

Alyssa was born and raised in Stoughton, Wisconsin graduation from Stoughton Highschool in 2014. She joined Gunderson’s in May of 2017 as an apprentice and now works as a Licensed Funeral Director. She is very thankful to be apart of the Gunderson team. Alyssa is proud of her Norwegian Heritage and being a “Stoughton-ite”, especially participating in Stoughton’s Syttende Mai festivities. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, concerts, and spending time with her family and friends.

Christina Herrera was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  In 2013, she graduated from MATC-Milwaukee in funeral services.  Before relocating to the Madison area, she served her apprenticeship and worked as a funeral director in the Milwaukee area.  Christina enjoys travel, movies, listening to podcasts, and spending time with family, friends, and her border collie, Moosh and two cats, Toodles and Zooty.

Craig was born and raised on the northwest side of Chicago. He graduated from Gordon Technical High School and Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Craig joins Gunderson Funeral Home with over 26 years of experience in the Chicago area. He enjoys fishing for muskie, woodworking, running and spending time with his wife and three sons.

Dale was born and raised on a farm near Deerfield, Wisconsin. He is a graduate of Madison East High School, UW-Whitewater and Milwaukee Mortuary School. Dale served his apprenticeship with Gunderson Funeral Home in 1959 and became a licensed funeral director in 1964. For over 20 years, Dale co-owned funeral homes in Stoughton, McFarland and Deerfield, Wisconsin.  He has been with Gunderson Funeral Home since 2001.

Dale is married to the former Marian Christenson of Stoughton.  He and Marian enjoy all sports, but especially Wisconsin football and basketball.

Danielle grew up in Michigan and is number 9 of 10 siblings. After high school, she moved to Arizona and received a bachelor of science degree in business management from the University of Phoenix. Danielle moved to Madison from Mexico City, Mexico after raising her 3 children.   She is bilingual and received her associate’s degree in Mortuary Science at MATC, Milwaukee. Her passions include cooking, family night dinners, and traveling with family and friends. Danielle is also active in volunteering, horseshoe leagues, outdoor activities and an American Legion Auxiliary Member in McFarland.

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Jim was born and raised in West Milwaukee and graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1999. He is a 2017 graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. While attending Worsham College he was given the opportunity to become part of the Gunderson Funeral Home family. Jim served his funeral service apprenticeship in Brookfield, WI where he worked for three years.  He and his wife Beth have been married since 2010, and they have two mini dachshunds, Dixie and Bentley. Jim enjoys fishing, going for long rides, exploring new areas, spending time with family and he loves the outdoors.

Jim graduated from Madison LaFollette High School in 1981. He later attended and graduated from Madison Area Technical College with a degree in mortuary science. Jim joined Gunderson Funeral home as an apprentice, and has now been a licensed funeral director since 1986. Jim and his family have resided in McFarland since 1988.

Having grown up in a Lutheran Minister’s family, John lived in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.  A graduate of Portage Sr. High, Dana College and Worsham College of Mortuary Science,  John has been a Funeral Director in Madison since 2005.  In his first career, John worked for over 20 years  in community based services for persons with disabilities both in Nebraska and Wisconsin.  John and Lois are active in their church’s music ministry and are active volunteers with The Road Home in Madison. They enjoy Door County, kayaking in the UP with close friends, Devil’s Lake, and all things Wisconsin.  Having raised twin sons, they now live with Molly the Jack Russell.

Kasey grew up in and graduated from Necedah High School in 2004.  She is a 2015 graduate of Des Moines Area Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science. Kasey and her husband Ryan have three children, daughters Amara and Adylyn and son Kohen, who keep them very busy.  Kasey enjoys spending time with family, especially outdoors; going on picnics, trips to the zoo, and going to the beach. Every day is an adventure. She takes pride in listening to people and being able to help them through the toughest time in their life as well as help people plan ahead.  Kasey is honored to guide families and be there for them every step of the way.

Lon was born and raised in Milwaukee where he graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran High School.  After graduation he attended Milwaukee Area Technical College for Mortuary Science and has been working as a funeral director for over 20 years.  He joined Gunderson Funeral Home because it is known as a great family-owned funeral home with a strong reputation in Dane County.  In his free time, he likes reading books, running, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Michelle was born and raised on the eastside of Madison.  She graduated from Madison East High School in 1988 and went on to attend UW-Richland, majoring in sports medicine.  After her freshman year in college, Michelle’s grandfather passed away and this changed her career path.  She graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College in 1993 with her degree in mortuary science.  Michelle worked for a couple of different funeral homes before settling in at Gunderson’s in February, 1996. 

Michelle enjoys working out, playing volleyball, watching men’s college basketball and volunteering.  She is active at her church, St. Bernard Catholic Church, Madison and is currently the president of the women’s group.

Mike is originally from Antigo, Wisconsin, graduating from Antigo High School in 1981. He has worked in funeral service since 1983. Mike graduated from the funeral service program at Milwaukee Area Technical College in 1985 and has been part of the Gunderson Funeral Home since 1987, serving in a leadership role for most of his career.

Mike and his wife, Cindy, raised their three daughters in McFarland before moving to Sun Prairie in 2021. Mike was very involved in the McFarland community, having served on the McFarland Education Foundation Board of Directors, the McFarland Optimists Club, the McFarland Basketball Boosters Board of Directors and Christ the King Catholic Church. In addition, Mike was also very active in Stoughton; having served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, including two terms as president, the Stoughton Area Community Foundation Board of Directors and Skaalen Retirement Services Board of Directors. More recently, Mike serves as a volunteer for Team Rubicon and on the UW Basketball Boosters Board of Directors.

In his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, being on the lake, tennis, pickleball, golf, and Badgers football and basketball.

Pete was born and raised in Kenosha, WI, and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1989.  After graduation he attended the UW-Madison and the UW-Parkside before attending and graduating from Milwaukee Area Technical College-West Allis with his Associate Degree in Mortuary Science.  Pete has been a licensed funeral director since 1993, working in Kenosha prior to joining the Gunderson Funeral Home in July of 2019.  Pete and his wife Michelle have been married since 1996 and have two children, daughter Sydney and son Andrew, as well as their pet Sheltie, Piper, and cat, Vader.  In his free time Pete enjoys making wine, brewing beer, and spending time with family and friends.

Steven was born and raised on the northside of Chicago, IL.  He graduated from Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in 2001, and Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2021.  Steven started his funeral career with Krause Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Milwaukee, as well as Cumberland Chapels in Chicago while attending Worsham.  He made the decision to work at Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care because of the great vibe and atmosphere and is excited to continue his commitment to serving the families and community of Madison.  Steven loves travelling and appreciates a good beer and great food.  He’s a triathlete, a wrestler, a baseball player and loves spending time with his family.  Go Bears! Go Cubs!

Tad was raised in Brodhead and currently still resides there. His grandfather was a funeral director and owner of his own establishment for around 60 years. Tad knew since a young age that it was his dream to be a funeral director and be able to help families in a time of need. Tad went to UW-Stout to get his general study credits. He then started his career by serving his apprenticeship in Menomonie with Rhiel Funeral Homes. After completing his apprenticeship, Tad attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science, where he graduated from. He enjoys hunting, fishing and playing slow pitch softball in his free time. If Tad is not at work, you can bet that he is somewhere outside embracing all that nature has to offer. 

Amy was born and raised in the Madison area, she graduated from McFarland High School and went onto obtain her bachelor’s degree from UW Whitewater and her master's degree from Edgewood College.  She has spent 20 years in the field of education in various positions including classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal.  After the recent loss of close family members, she was so appreciative of the exceptional care provided to her family by Gunderson Funeral Home that she decided she wanted to be able to provide care to others going through a similar situation.  She is currently enrolled in Mortuary Science program at Des Moines Area Community College.  During her free time she enjoys reading and spending time with her family, friends as well as her Goldendoodle, Penny and her Maine Coon cat, Sheldon. 

After working for Gunderson Funeral Home for over 10 years, Betty thought that it was her time to retire. She soon realized how much she missed greeting the public and helping families in difficult times and returned working part time at the Gunderson West location.

Bill McInnes was raised in Kenora, Ontario, Canada, otherwise known as “God's country” and the “fishing capitol of the world”.  In December 1991, Bill’s wife, Chris moved to Madison to start her career as a nurse at UW Hospital while Bill stayed in Winnipeg until their kids finished their school year in June 1992.  He spent 15 years in the Bioscience industry in the Madison area and retired from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.  Bill enjoys playing bagpipes and has served many families over the years,  helping them say "so long" to family members and friends.

Bill and Chris  have 3 married children,  two in the area and four super-grandchildren at various stages of being spoiled.  Bill is proud to be a member of the Gunderson team of compassionate professionals.

Bob grew up in Wauwatosa and moved to Middleton in 1997.  He retired in 2014 after more than 30 years in the financial service industry.  Bob missed the personal contact with clients and so jumped at the chance to be of service at Gunderson Funeral Homes.  He has been married to Becky for 41 years and has raised two sons. He also has two grandsons to be proud of.

When Bob is not helping families at Gundersons, he enjoys spending time with family, watching University of Wisconsin and Green Bay sports, and working on genealogy.

Carrie was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.  Prior to working for Gunderson Funeral Home she worked for National Guardian Life Insurance Company in preneeds, which created an interest in funeral service.  In her free time she ejoys crafting and making hand-painted signs and artwork.

Chad Walhood was born and raised in Central Wisconsin. He traveled extensively throughout his life, and through his travels, discovered Wisconsin was one of the best places to live, work and play.  Chad graduated from UW–Stevens Point where he met his wife, Megan.  He has always enjoyed helping people, and Gunderson Funeral Home has given him the opportunity to do this.  Chad is an outdoor enthusiast and world traveler.  He enjoys spending time with his friends and family.

Christine was born in Havre, MT, and raised in Plentywood, MT. She attended college in Idaho and then moved to Wisconsin.  Christine worked for years at their family-owned Dairy Queen in Plentywood.  Most recently she was employed with the Madison Metropolitan School District.  She looks forward to helping families in their greatest time of need at Gunderson Funeral Home.

Christine loves working in her yard, hanging out with their dog in the 3-season porch, watching classic movies from Hollywood’s golden age and learning to paint with Bob Ross.

Bob Byrne farmed all his life, until 2002.  He is now retired from farming and currently takes care of the lawn work and flowers at Gunderson Funeral Home.  He also enjoys traveling.

Dan Eckstein was born in Dodgeville and raised in Mineral Point. He moved to Mount Horeb in 1970 and attended Mount Horeb High School. Dan worked for UW Provisions Company in Middleton for 17 years; was a city letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 26 years; and worked part-time for the Mount Horeb Area School District’s food service for 20 years. Dan was hired as a funeral service associate by Diego Camacho Jr. with Ellestad Camacho Funeral Home and has continued serving families since joining Gunderson. He is also currently employed with ACC Management Group as a maintenance tech. In his free time, Dan enjoys watching all Wisconsin sports, fishing and boating.

Darlene was born and raised in Madison, and is a graduate of Monona Grove High School, Class of 1964. She enjoys watching sports, and she loves getting together with her family and friends. After many years of contact with the Gunderson staff, she decided to join the team as a Service Associate. Darlene is excited to support and care for her community as a friendly face and comforting presence.

Dave was raised on a dairy farm six miles north of Blanchardville.  He graduated from Blanchardville High School and Madison Business College.  Dave worked on the dairy farm until 1962, and the United Parcel Service for 33 years and three months until his retirement.  Upon retirement, he worked part-time for Camacho Funeral Home which was later purchased by Gunderson Camacho Funeral & Cremation Care.  Dave has been a season ticket holder for Badgers football for 45 years, and Badgers basketball for 42 years.  He also enjoys watching the Brewers and Packers, and golfing.  Dave has sung for 517 funerals and 160 weddings in his life.  He also has enjoyed singing in men’s quartets for 35 years.

Don is a lifelong resident of Middleton. After working in the concrete business for 45 years, he retired in 1997. Don joined Gunderson Funeral Home in 2005, and says that he enjoys working with people and helping families in any way that he can.

Debbie was born and raised in Monroe, WI.  She moved to Madison in 2000 and spent the majority of her career in the building business.  After losing her father to cancer in 1999, Debbie realized what comfort it was to have HospiceCare walk her and her family through the end stages of his life.  It was  shortly thereafter that she became an inpatient Hospice volunteer.  It was through her volunteering that lead her to a position with Gunderson Funeral Home.  Debbie is proud to be part of a team who is dedicated to compassionately serving families during one of the most difficult times of their lives.  Each day her life is touched by someone else’s sadness.  Debbie enjoys music, nature, watching the Badgers and Packers, volunteering at local VFW’s and traveling and spending time with her friends. 

DeDe passed away on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, after a valiant fight with cancer. She not only defied the odds, but did it with grace, positivity, and a willingness to beat cancer that inspired us all. Her dedication to Gunderson's, her warm smile, and cheerful attitude is missed by all of us who had the priviledge of working with her.

Dennis Pine was born in Madison and grew up in Black Earth.  He graduated from Wisconsin Heights High School.  After high school he worked various jobs including Patrons Mercantile Coop feed mill, Marshall Erdman & Associates, Black Earth Electric Utility and the Black Earth Fire Department where he had 19 years of service, with the last few years as Fire Chief.  During this time, he became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).  Dennis also had a lifelong dream come true when he was able to attend the Police Academy.  He continued working at the Utilities while working part-time as a police officer for three different departments; Village of Cross Plains, Village of Black Earth and Village of Mazomanie.  Eventually Dennis became a full-time police officer for the Village of Black Earth and was promoted to Police Chief of Black Earth.  He finished his career as a Police Chief for the Village of Shorewood Hills in Madison and retired in 2017. Upon retirement he became a service associate for Camacho Funeral Home in Mount Horeb, which is now Gunderson Camacho Funeral and Cremation Care.  In his spare time, Dennis enjoys camping, electrical work, woodworking, fishing and spending time with his family and friends.

Diane was born and raised in Milwaukee. She moved to Madison with her family over 35 years ago. Diane lives with her husband, Tim, and their pampered pup, Kinder. Diane has worked as a Professional Organizer for many years and is the proud parent of two grown kids and their partners. Diane also has 3 grand dogs. She treasures the time spent with her family and friends.

Diane serves as a Stephen Minister in her church community and is also active in their Holy COW food cart ministry. She enjoys volunteering for Underdog Pet Rescue of WI. Other favorite activities include reading, yoga, walking, crocheting, and writing.

Diane believes strongly in caring for our earth, and for each other, with loving kindness. She feels grateful and honored to provide care for families during some of their darkest days.

Ed is thrilled to have found a new purpose in life serving his community at Gunderson Funeral Home! He was born in Madison and raised in Middleton, the city he still calls home. After graduating from Middleton High School and taking short courses at UW-Madison, Ed enjoyed 46 years in the telecommunications industry, handling all aspects – from technical work to sales and management. He is a detailed handyman and an outdoorsman, enjoying fishing trips, camping, golfing, pickleball, yardwork and paddleboarding. He loves taking day trips in his Mustang convertible and spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Eileen was born in the Madison area, but has grown up in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin and is currently a high school student at Mount Horeb High School. Gunderson is the first funeral home that Eileen has worked for. Getting to support the community during their most difficult times is what drew them to funeral service. Eileen's hobbies include reading as a part of a book club and music. Their passions include chemistry and other forms of science.

Gary was born in Princeton, MN., and raised on a dairy farm. He graduated from Princeton High School, Moody Bible Institute, St. Cloud State University and North Park University. Gary served as a pastor for 45 years. He moved to Lodi in 2019 and began working for Gunderson Funeral Home in 2020. Gary enjoys camping, reading, golfing and HO scale model railroading.

Ginny was born and raised in Milwaukee, but has lived in Madison for most of her adult life. She is a graduate of the U.W. School of Social Work, and enjoyed a career as a Dane County social worker before retiring in 2015.

After retirement, Ginny started working part time in the obituary department of Capital Newspapers, which led her to her current position with Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Service. She enjoys being part of the Gunderson team, and especially likes assisting families in writing and editing obituaries.

Ginny enjoys getting regular exercise, watching Spongebob Squarepants, and collecting a variety of Spongebob memorabilia.  She volunteers at the Allied Area food pantry once or twice a month, and enjoys traveling when the opportunity arises.

Greg has been with Gunderson Funeral Home since 1990. After working in the retail management field for his entire career, Greg says that he was happy to use his customer services skills in such an rewarding way. “Meeting and assisting the many wonderful families has been a privilege and I look forward to continuing to be there in their time of need.”

Hannah raised in Blanchardville, Wisconsin and graduated from UW Madison with a bachelors in English Literature in 2021. Her passion for funeral service and desire to work for a family-owned funeral home. brought her to Gunderson’s. In Hannah’s spare time, she enjoys playing simulation games as a PC gamer. She also likes thrifting and has been playing piano since kindergarten.

In memoriam, Herb served Gunderson Funeral Homes as one of their first funeral director associates for 25 years. He was the face of Gunderson Oregon Funeral Home during that time, compassionately serving the community at visitations and funerals. In addition, Herb was a “Jack of All Trades” helping Gunderson’s as a cremation specialist, mechanic, plumber and anything else they needed. Herb was also known for his musical talent, playing the accordion and serving as an organist for Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church for 63 years.

Jack is originally from Richland Center, WI and moved to Madison to attend UW–Madison after graduating from high school in 1968. He has remained in Madison and enjoys living on the near west side with his wife, Pat and their dog, Keeley. They have two children that live outside the state. After obtaining a degree in nursing and business, Jack has enjoyed his diverse career opportunities from being an RN, working for over 20 years with three different associations and being a small business owner.

He has participated in several additional avocations including EMS and officiating high school and college sports for over thirty years. His other pleasures in life evolve around Badger sports, traveling, biking, working with wood and anytime spent at the cabin with family, friends and the family dog.

Jack joined the Gunderson staff in 2014 and has found his career at Gunderson’s his most fulfilling. Being a part of an outstanding staff and assisting families through a difficult process is very rewarding.

Jim, a lifelong Madisonian, resides in Fitchburg with his wife, Suzanne.  They have an adult daughter that also lives in the area.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, Jim has owned and operated three different businesses in the consumer products industry.  In his retirement he continues to participate in various sporting activities, in addition to being a fan of all major sports.

Jim takes great pride in being a part of the Gunderson team; a group of caring professionals dedicated to addressing the needs of families in difficult times.

Janelle grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from Oregon High School.  She continued her education graduating from MATC with an associate degree in Dietetics and from the UW-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Psychology.  Before joining Gunderson, Janelle worked for 24 years at the Edgerton Care Center serving the residents as a Dietetic Technician Registered.  Janelle is married and resides in Stoughton with her family and many beloved fur babies. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Jeff Sholts was born in Stoughton and raised with five siblings in Oregon, where he graduated from Oregon High School. He attended MATC and special training at St. Louis University for Death Investigation. Jeff retired from the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office as Chief of Investigations after 18 years of service to Dane, Rock, Brown, Door and Oconto Counties. He enjoys working at Gunderson’s and helping people when they are most in need. During his free time, Jeff enjoys camping.  

Jill was born in Syracuse, New York and raised in Minnetonka, Minnesota. She graduated from Orono High School in Orono, MN and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Jill most recently worked as the director of the Middleton Senior Center from 1986 to 2017. She has also been a long-serving volunteer at the Henry Vilas Zoo and plays the ukulele in several local music groups. Jill is happy to be helping families through their critical family transition, providing comfort and understanding.

Jill grew up in Verona where she graduated from Verona Area High School, and then went on to attend Edgewood College. Prior to joining the Gunderson Funeral Home team, Jill was employed at the Wisconsin State Journal in the obituary department where she spent years helping families in their time of need. While there and working closely with the staff at Gunderson, Jill grew a deep respect for the excellent service they provided to families in their care. She joined the Gunderson team in 2020. Her love of Mount Horeb area brought her to their Mount Horeb location.

Jill’s greatest love is her family, including her husband and two sons. They reside in Barneveld. One of her favorite activities is spending time outdoors, especially in her vegetable garden, hiking the trails locally and out West, and taking photos of the beautiful natural world. Cooking a new recipe, reading a good book and eating all of the dark chocolate in sight are also some of her favorite hobbies

Jim grew up in Monona Wisconsin.  He was an auto mechanic for 32 years and then worked at Highland Memory Gardens for 8 years prior to joining Gunderson.  His work as a mechanic built in him a very strong work ethic and a positive mental attitude.  Jim and his wife, Leanne love to take their boat out onto the Flambeau River and let the world go by.  He enjoys the outdoors; hunting and fishing, and watching his grandkids do anything.  

Joann Manteufel grew up in Barneveld and is proud to say she still lives there.  She retired in July of 2018 after a 35-year banking career.  She knew she would miss the people, so she reached out to Gunderson’s.  Joann absolutely loves being a Funeral Service Associate with Gunderson’s.  She also loves helping at her church and really enjoys traveling with her husband, David.  

Joe is originally from Watertown , Wisconsin . He attended St. Lawrence Seminary, Watertown High School and earned a graphic arts degree from Madison College . Before joining Gunderson Funeral Home, he worked 49 years at Webcrafters Printing Company as an IT manager.

Before moving to Madison , Joe and his wife, Joan, lived in McFarland where they raised four children.  Joe is a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in McFarland were he served on the finance and 50th anniversary committees, was a member of the Men’s Club, taught religious education and volunteered at Luke House. He was on the board of directors of the Madison Jaycees, was the charter president of the McFarland Jaycees, and was the past presidents of the McFarland Music Boosters and the Blackhawk Home Owners Association.  He delivered meals for Meals on Wheels for many years and served as a volunteer for United Way.

In his free time Joe enjoys spending time with his 10 grandchildren, watching their sporting events, music performances and drama productions.  He is an avid Badger basketball fan, a Packer fan and a Brewers fan.

Joe feels very fortunate to work with a team of dedicated caring individuals committed to helping families at a very difficult time in their lives.

John was born and raised in Blair, Wisconsin.  He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of LaCrosse and his master’s degree at Luther Theological Seminary.  His most recent position was working as the hospital chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital, where is worked for 10 years before retiring.  He is a Badger fan and enjoys reading.

John was raised on a dairy farm in Iowa County, between Arena and Barneveld. He graduated from River Valley High in Spring Green and attended UW-Madison for the dairy farm short course. After graduating, John returned to his childhood farm. He and his wife, Jackie, purchased the farm from his parents and still reside there today. John proudly worked as a dairy farmer from 1974-2009 and has been working as a crop adjuster and shepherd for over a decade. He’s looking forward to serving families during these difficult times and supporting his community as a Service Associate.

Joy Gunderson was born and raised in Madison.  She currently resides in Stoughton with her husband Jeff and their two boys, Zander and Skyler.  As a hair designer, Joy owned and operated her own business for over 20 years, mainly within Monona.  She takes pride in her job and receives a real sense of satisfaction; whether it's working on her own clients, or those at the Gunderson Funeral Home.

Kalli was born and raised in Columbus, WI. She graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a B.A. in Anthropology and Religious Studies. She’s proud to serve the community with dedication and empathy.

Karen was born and raised in Madison.  She has been employed at Gunderson Funeral Home since 2011.  Karen is married to Jeff and they enjoy camping, entertaining family and friends, and traveling.  Karen has a daughter, Kait, and two wonderful grandchildren, Chesney & Cypress.  In her spare time, she loves to bake and be with her family and friends.  She is an avid fan of the Badgers, Packers and Brewers.

Since the age of 16, Karen has worked in the service industry, wearing many hats over the years.  She had always wanted to work in the funeral industry, drawn to it by personal loss and grief.  Karen strives to serve and help families through their difficult time by assisting them in having a loving and memorable experience.

“I find my position very rewarding.  It is an honor to be a part of the Gunderson Funeral Home family”.

Kayla grew up in McFarland, where she graduated from McFarland High School in 2006, and then went on to attend Edgewood College. Prior to joining Gunderson Funeral Home, she worked as a swing manager at a McDonald’s Restaurant for 17 years where she developed her impeccable customer service skills. In addition to working at McDonald’s, she was also a senior relationship banker/consumer lender at McFarland State Bank n/k/a One Community for 7 ½ years. Kayla is also an individual Scentsy consultant and truly loves the products she sells.

Kayla’s number one priority is spending time with her loved ones, especially her two-year-old daughter. She currently resides in McFarland with her husband and daughter. They have two massive mutt-ley rescue dogs (Atlas & Tony) that weigh 100+ pounds each. They also welcomed a kitten into their chaotic household earlier this year, which their daughter decided to name ‘Hippo.’ Kayla has an eye for creativity and design and in her spare time, enjoys flower arranging, making ribbon wreaths, and has a passion for decorating and organizing (and cleaning). She loves the snow and winter season and is looking forward to colder weather.

Karen was born and raised in Mount Horeb and is a graduate of Mount Horeb High School. She has previously worked as an AP/AR, worked in collections and payroll and as a bartender and volleyball referee. Karen was ready to move to a different industry with a team environment and as a bonus she ended up working closer to home. In her free time, Karen enjoys sports, attending live music concerts and camping.

Ken is from LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He is a 1960 graduate of La Crosse Central High School. Ken served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1961 to 1963. He graduated from Madison Business College in 1966. Ken enjoys fishing, card playing, and is a fan of the Packers and the Badgers. He is a member of McFarland Lutheran Church. Ken and his wife, Jane have three children and six grandchildren.

Ken has served as the vital statistics coordinator at Gunderson Funeral Home since 1998. He says, “It is a honor to work with great staff that share the same feelings in serving families, to work together towards a common goal.”

Ken Esser was born in Mt. Horeb and raised in the Mt. Horeb and Cross Plains area.  He farmed and worked in the agriculture service equipment industry.  After retirement, Ken worked for Camacho Funeral Home in Mount Horeb for 10+ years which is now Gunderson Camacho Funeral and Cremation Care.  Ken enjoys playing cards, music, woodworking and traveling.

Kyle was raised in the Madison and Columbus areas and graduated from East High School.  He has a couple years of experience in maintenance work and over 10 years of experience in the culinary field.  He joined the Gunderson team so he could build his career working with great people.  In his free time, he likes spending time with family and pursuing his hobbies including cooking, video games and photography. 

Laz was born and raised on the westside of Rockford Illinois, where he graduated from Rockford East High School.  He worked for a year as a funeral assistant and decided to join Gunderson to prusue a full-time career in the funeral industry.  Laz enjoys playing chess, taking photographs of his travels and spending time with his dog.

Lisa was born in Minnesota and currently lives in Marshall with her husband, Ben and son, Grayson. She has been employed with Gunderson Funeral Home since 2014. Previous to being hired at Gunderson, Lisa worked at UW Hospital for 5 ½ years. She is thrilled to be able to work in a position where she is able to utilize her skills and knowledge, as well as remain in an environment where care and compassion is a big part of the job. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys cooking, working out and spending time with her friends and family.

Machaela Huber was born in Ellsworth, Maine and mainly grew up in Delaware, where she graduated from high school in 2013.  She then went on to receive her associates degree in Human Services from Delaware Tech.  After graduation she decided it was time for a change and left the East Coast to experience new adventures. Machaela was accepted to attend Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Illinois and graduated in 2017. While attending school she realized she wanted to stay in the Midwest and accepted the opportunity to work at Gunderson to advance in the funeral profession. Machaela is honored to work with such a great organization and is happy to now call Madison “home”.  In her spare time, she enjoys traveling the states, spending time with friends, meeting new people, watching ice hockey, and experiencing all Wisconsin has to offer with her dog and boyfriend, Dan. Machaela is very thankful for her parents and strives every day to make them both proud.

Melissa grew up in rural Montello, but has called the Madison area home for over 30 years. At a very early age, Melissa had a passion for helping people. She strives to serve and assist families in having memorable experiences. Melissa was very involved in the Mount Horeb area community serving as Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce for nearly 15 years. She now has the honor of helping families in the community make important decisions about their final arrangements in advance.

Melissa loves everything Wisconsin, its culture, its history and especially its hard-working, humble, love-thy-neighbor people. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as playing with her two dogs, Cash and Junebug.

Michelle was born in Laramie, Wyoming, where her family resided for seven years.  She then moved to Wisconsin for a few years and later to Green Bay where she graduated from Green Bay Preble High School.  After moving back to the area, she taught 6th grade in McFarland at Indian Mound Middle School for 30 years before retiring in 2019.  In her retirement she enjoys swimming, walking, and spending her time with her grandchildren and Belgian Horses.

Michelle is excited to bring several years of accounting experience to the Gunderson team. She attended Randolph High School and graduated from Moraine Park Technical College with an Associate Degree in Accounting. Following her graduation, Michelle worked at the Fall River Foundry in Fall River, WI. Her specialty was accounts receivable, but she did a little bit of everything – from payroll to invoicing. After seven years with Fall River Foundry, Michelle became a stay-at-home mom and found joy in spending time with her three kids, watching them play sports and going bowling and golfing with her friends. With her kids all in school full-time, she’s excited to rejoin the workforce.

Nicole Perrin has been with the Gunderson Funeral Home since 1998. She is originally from Wauwatosa. Nicole graduated from Edgewood College with her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. In her free time, Nicole enjoys reading, crafts and spending time with family & friends.

Oriana was born and raised in Middleton. She graduated from Middleton High School in 2017. Oriana began her undergraduate education at Madison College, graduating in 2020 with an associate in arts. She is now finishing up her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from UW-Madison. Oriana has an interest in the funeral business while using her degree to help her community. She enjoys running, reading, cooking and spending time with her family and close friends.

Patty started working for Gunderson Funeral Home in March of 2012 after retiring from the Veterans Administration Hospital with almost 35 years of service. She works as a family service assistant and adminstrative assistant to the funeral director.

Patty is a life-long resident of Lodi and has two children, Becky and Garret. She loves spending time with her family, especially her grandson, Ty. Patty can be seen everyday in Lodi being walked by her two German Shepherds, Chubbs and Dixie.

Rick Fry was born in Boscobel and raised in Madison, graduating from Madison East High School.  He worked as a Union Cement Mason for over 20 years, and worked for the family business, Fry Concrete Construction and Maintenance for the past eight.  He joined our Facility Maintenance Department in 2018.  Rick enjoys fishing with his wife and grandkids, and building and racing stock cars with his two sons.

Dick moved to Madison after graduating high school in 1965. He and his wife, Jan, have been married for over 40 years. Together they have a daughter, Michelle, and a granddaughter, Samantha.

Dick has been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1997. He has served two terms as grand knight of Council 9082. Dick has also served as faithful navigator for Bishop O’Connor 4th Degree Assembly 1200, and recently served three years as District Deputy for the five Madison Knights of Columbus Councils. He is a past president of the Board of Directors for the ATTIC Correctional Facility on Madison’s east side and is a former big brother with Big Brother Big Sisters of Dane County. Dick is a current member of Saint Bernard Catholic Church and is active in numerous parish ministries and events.

Dick finds his work at Gunderson Funeral Home very rewarding. He says that he has found several similarities to his former career, allowing him to continue to offer help, compassion and comfort to individuals and families during a difficult time.

Samantha is a 2009 graduate from Madison East Highschool. After high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in social work. Samantha is a great addition to the Gunderson team with her entertaining stories, smiling face, and the willingness to help anyone. She is proud to be the third generation of her family working for Gunderson’s. She enjoys volunteering at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, going to Badger men’s basketball games, thrifting, attempting to crochet, and comforting families during one of the most difficult time of their life.

Sara was born and raised in Stoughton.  For more than 30 years, her career was in education.  Ready for a change, she was fortunate to be hired in a position where she can continue to interact with and help families. In her spare time, her favorite hobbies are babysitting her grandson, Sylas, knitting, reading and golfing.  Sara currently lives in Deerfield with her husband, Dennis. She has three grown children; son, Luke Natvig, his wife Amanda and their children, Sylas Natvig and Joe and Kendal Coleman of Stoughton; son, Peter Natvig of Stoughton; and daughter, Carly Milne and her husband, Grant of Seattle, Washington.

Scott was born in Cleves, Ohio, moved to the Youngstown, Ohio area, before moving to Vincennes in southern Indiana.  His father was a Presbyterian minister, so the family moved around several times as he became the pastor of new congregations.  Scott graduated from Vincennes University (1980), Indiana State University (1982) and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (1985).   He is a Presbyterian minister, serving the Oakland-Cambridge Presbyterian Church in Cambridge.  He has also served congregations in Monroe, Marshfield and Madison. Prior to moving to Wisconsin, he served congregations in Illinois and Indiana.  

In addition to his pastoral ministry, he is a permanent “substitute” teacher, teaching at both McFarland Indian Mound Middle School and McFarland High School.  The students and staff in McFarland shorten his last name to Mr. M-W and call him “M-Dubs”.  Scott and his wife, Staci, who is the pastor at the Lakeview and Glenwood Moravian Congregations in Madison make their home in McFarland.  They have one child, Sam, who is a sophomore at Lawrence University and a dog named, Shadow.    

As a pastor, he has officiated at several funerals at Gunderson.  Scott has appreciated the compassionate care the staff at Gunderson have offered to the families of his congregational members who have died.  The idea of working for Gunderson as a Funeral Service Associate came through another retired teacher who was working in a similar role with another funeral home. It feels like an extension of his ministry.  Scott has appreciated the warm welcome and friendliness of the staff as he begins his work with Gunderson.

Scott loves walking and organizing a “Step Challenge” for the staff in the McFarland School District.  He is also an amateur photographer, taking pictures of sunrises and sunsets on his iPhone while walking their dog, Shadow, up Hidden Farm Road in McFarland.  You can visit his Hidden Farm Road Photography page on Facebook.  Scott loves reading, listening to audiobooks, and watching shows like “Stranger Things” or a good movie with his family. 

Shannon was born and raised on Madison’s east side and graduated from Madison East High School. She spent a lot of time in the Northwoods/Minocqua area, as that is where her family was from. Shannon has had over 20 years’ experience in serving both people and animals in the community including multiple customer service roles from receptionist/office assistant to bartending. She also takes care of animals in the comfort of their own homes. Shannon’s desire to be part of a work family that is committed to serving the community with compassion, dignity and respect is what drew her to Gunderson. She likes dancing, doing kundalini yoga, snuggling and playing with animals, spending time with her family and friends and traveling the world with her dad.

Taylor was born in the San Francisco Bay area and raised in Arizona. She was a dance teacher and joined the funeral industry in Ashland, Oregon, in 2021. Taylor recently moved to the Midwest to join the Gunderson team. She enjoys dancing, hiking, thrift shopping and playing with her dog, Archimedes.

Growing-up on Madison's Eastside, Tom worked at his family's Scandinavian market while attending East High School and UW-Madison. A Viet Nam vet, Tom returned to Madison and a banking career lasting 40 years. Long-time members of Bethel Lutheran Church, Tom and his wife Sue live in Middleton where they raised a son and two daughters and now are delighted to have seven grandchildren, all in this area. Tom joined Gunderson Funeral Homes in September of 2011 and has been honored to serve many families, some of which he has known for decades.

Torrie grew up and graduated in Sun Prairie. Through the years, she has served in many different positions, from communications and marketing assistant with Easter Seals, administration assistant at the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, to office manager with the Veterinary Medical Association. It is the experiences helping others that she finds most rewarding. Working for a family owned business provides her the opportunity to give her best to families during a very difficult time in their lives.

Torrie, along with her husband, son, Kristopher, dog, Angus and cat, Kash, have made their home in Stoughton. During her spare time, she enjoys boating, discovering new places while riding on the Harley, taking in a concert or two, reading, and volunteering at animal rescues and animal health and wellness groups.

Tyler was born and raised in Dekalb, Illinois.  He graduated from Illinois State University and began his career in the Home Medical field in Dekalb until he moved to Madison in 2017 where he worked for the University.  After 10 years in the Home Medical field, he decided to pursue funeral service.  His prior experience of helping people lead him to want to support families as they deal with the end of life of their loved ones.  Tyler enjoys cycling, hiking, and spending time with his friends and family during his free time.

William was born in Peoria, Il and reaised in Lodi, where he graduated from high school.  He has spent the last 16 years working in the Information Technology field where he has gained the tools to provide excellent customer service.  He joined Gunderson because of their reputation for excellent customer service, which aligns with her personal values.  In his free time, he enjoys movies, podcasts, Nascar and F1 racing, as well as spending time with the family and doing volunteer work.

Zane Torgrude was in the Financial Services industry for over 30 years as a trainer, Regional V.P. and Financial Planner.  He most currently was a Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor with BMO Harris Financial Advisors and retired March 31, 2016.  

Prior to the Financial Services industry, Zane served for 11 years as a Lutheran pastor and specialized in human services as a speaker, counselor, manager, and fund raiser.

Zane earned his B.A. from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1966 and obtained a Masters in Theology from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN in 1970.  Zane also achieved his Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations from the American College in Bryn Mare, Pennsylvania in 1988. 

Zane is married to Susan and is the proud parent of two daughters and has five grandchildren.  One of his grandsons, Noah, was born with Down Syndrome.  It is because of Noah that Zane, serving as Board President, led a group to bring a GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center to Madison, WI which opened in May 2016.

Zane is now honored to be part of the team at Gunderson Funeral Homes where he assists in providing a culture where families and individuals can celebrate the life of a lost loved one.