MFDA Bulletin Spring 2019 by Pernsteiner Creative Group, Inc.

SPRING 2019

BULLETIN

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY FOR MINNESOTA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

MAY 20-22, 2019 ROCHESTER CIVIC CENTER â&#x20AC;¢ ROCHESTER, MN FIND THE COMPLETE 2019 MFDA CONVENTION GUIDE ON PAGES 9-15.

Change Service Requested Minnesota Funeral Directors Association 7046 East Fish Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55311

MFDA Bulletin

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Minnesota Funeral Directors Association MFDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Dan Dahl Dahl Funeral Home East Grand Forks, MN dan.dahl@midconetwork.com

Secretary Kelly J. Kelly Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes Kasson, MN kjkell0803@yahoo.com

Treasurer Chris Jacobson Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Home Ada, MN chris.jacobson@tlcofduluth.com

Past President Ashley Czaplewski Hoff Funeral and Cremations Service St. Charles, MN ashley@hofffuneral.com

DISTRICT DIRECTORS Joe Mahn (District 1) Mahn Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Red Wing, MN jmahn62@hotmail.com Tonya D. Borth (District 2) Kolden Funeral Home Le Sueur, MN tonya_04@hotmail.com Marquis Madison (District 3) Totzke Funeral Home Fulda, MN totzke@mchsi.com

POLICY BOARD REPRESENTATIVE Pat Patton, CFSP Patton-Schad Funeral Home Sauk Centre, MN ppatton@pattonschad.com

PAST PRESIDENT REP Norman Larsen, CFSP

Green-Larsen Mortuary International Falls, MN nlarsen@greenlarsen.com

STAFF

Lance Peterson (District 4/5) Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and Cremation Service Willmar, MN lance@petersonbrothers.com

Darlyne Erickson, CAE Executive Director

Scott Benson (District 6 & 7) Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel, Inc. Robbinsdale, MN sbenson@delmore.com

Amy Beckham (Administrative)

Brian Dingmann (District 8) Dingmann Funeral Care Annandale, MN brian@dingmannfuneral.com

Kathy Sheridan (Membership/Convention)

Andrew Yaggie (District 9) Glende-Nilson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Fegus Falls, MN andrew@glendenilson.com

763-416-0124 612-940-8169 (cell) info@mnfuneral.org

amy@mnfuneral.org

Sue Sack (Accounting)

Message From the President................................................ 5 Executive Director’s Report...............................................6-7 Legislative Update................................................................. 8 2019 MFDA Convention Guide................................... 9-15 U of M Mortuary Science Update.................................. 16-17 Book Review: “When Death Becomes Life”....................... 18 MFDA Order Form............................................................... 19 2017 Deaths Data Report...............................................20-21 In Memorium..................................................................22-24 MFDA Career Center........................................................... 26 2019 MFDA Allied Members............................................... 27

2019 Calendar April 24 NFDA Cremation Certification Program Grand Casino, Hinckley May 20-22 MFDA’s 129th Annual Convention Mayo Civic Center, Rochester July 13-16 NFDA Leadership Conference San Diego, CA September TBD Regional Meetings: Districts 4/5, 8, 9, 10, 11 Locations TBD September 24-26 InSight Certified Celebrant Training Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, Plymouth October TBD Regional Meetings: Districts 1, 2, 3, 6/7 Locations TBD October 9-10 MFDA Preneed Insurance Course Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, Plymouth October 27-30 NFDA International Convention & Expo Chicago, IL

sue@mnfuneral.org

kathy@mnfuneral.org

Miki Tufto (Communications/Convention) mtufto@mnfuneral.org

Tim Anderson(District 10) Anderson Funeral Home Twin Valley, MN timanderson@arvig.net David Huso (District 11) Rowe Funeral Home Grand Rapids, MN husodavid@yahoo.com

In This Issue

Who We Are: Minnesota Funeral Director’s Association (MFDA) is the statewide resource dedicated to supporting our member’s growth professionally, ethically, and operationally.

What Is Our Mission: Our mission is to enhance and support funeral service excellence through our programs, legislative representation and service to Minnesotans.

How We Accomplish This:

7046 East Fish Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55311 p: (763) 416-0124 • f: (763) 416-0124 e: info@mnfuneral.org www.mnfuneral.org

• Essential and enduring principles that guide our organization’s behaviors and actions • Advancing the value of funeral service consistent with the changing needs of society • Advocacy on behalf of consumers and members • Visionary leadership trust and confidence in staff and volunteer leadership • Promotion of integrity; honest and ethical behavior within the funeral industry • Collaboration with others in the interest of consumers and members • Recognize the importance of education as a vehicle to enhance both public service and public image

The MFDA Bulletin is published quarterly for MDFA members. Copyright ©2019 MFDA Service Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission of the publisher. Advertising opportunities are available by contacting MFDA to request an ad rate sheet. Please e-mail the ad to info@mnfuneral.org, fax or mail to the fax number or address listed above, along with the desired run time of your ad.

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From the President By Dan Dahl, MFDA President

Please take time to pat yourselves on the back and hug your family and say thanks for letting us do what we do best. As I’m looking out my office window this morning, I think I can speak on behalf of the whole State of Minnesota and North Dakota. ENOUGH SNOW ALREADY. Just waiting for the next round of snow and rain towards the end of the week. Kind of reminds me of the Flood of 1997. Boy do I feel old. I am writing this on the most important day of the year for many of us: National Mortician and Funeral Directors Day (March 11). It gives me a sense of pride knowing that we actually have a day named after us. In looking back, I have noticed there have been many poems and verses written about our profession, but there is one that always sticks out in my mind. It is as follows…

Funeral Directors It’s when we suffer tragic loss, They help us bear the heavy cross. Preserving loved ones in their rest. Within the valley’s shadowed death, They help us stop and catch our breath They offer comfort and relief To cope with sadness, stress and grief. From older folks to juveniles, They walk with us through many trials. And as we share our sad goodbyes, We see compassion in their eyes. With hope and wisdom to impart, They comfort each sad, broken heart. They offer guidance through the day And gently help us find our way. - Larry Howland

Please take time to pat yourselves on the back and hug your family and say thanks for letting us do what we do best. In looking ahead towards the upcoming weeks and months, MFDA has a number of things in the works. First is the NFDA Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC that Chris Jacobson, Kelly Kelly, Darlyne Erickson, and I will be attending the first week in April. This gives us a chance to talk to our legislators on both the Senate and House sides of Capitol Hill, on concerns and topics that NFDA has outlined as potential issues. Next on the list is of course our MFDA Convention in Rochester, MN on May 20-22. It will be held at the Mayo Civic Center located in downtown Rochester. A very impressive venue for our convention. Plenty of space for highlighting the convention exhibitors. There will be an embalming lab seminar, sponsored by Dodge and LifeSource at the Mayo Anatomy Lab on Monday, May 20 that should be very interesting as it will highlight embalming of tissue donation bodies. Attendees will need a separate ticket from Convention

registration to attend the lab seminar as there is limited space available. There will also be plenty of continuing education available throughout Convention for those that need to fill in any of those criteria for license renewal. We continue to keep the lines of communication open with the Minnesota Department of Health and LifeSource with regular scheduled meetings. If you have any feedback you would like us to share with either of these entities, please contact the MFDA office or any of the board members. In closing, I personally would like to thank all of you for the prayers and concerns while going through my bout with prostate cancer. As of two weeks ago, I have been diagnosed as “CANCER FREE”. I will still need to be watched for reoccurrence, but feel that I am cured. God Is Good. Take care of yourselves, and hope to see you in Rochester, MN. Regards, Dan Dahl 2018-19 MFDA President

I am writing this on the most important day of the year for many of us: National Mortician and Funeral Directors Day. It gives me a sense of pride knowing that we actually have a day named after us.

Want to renew your membership online? Visit www.mnfuneral.org and sign-in to your MFDA members-only account. Need your log-in info? Call Miki at 763-416-0124 or email mtufto@mnfuneral.org

www.mnfuneral.org 5

Executive Director’s Report By Darlyne Erickson. CAE

Spring has Sprung! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to renew your membership in MFDA. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to renew your membership in MFDA. We often get questions during the year about “what am I getting for my dues”? Which is a valid question. Throughout the year we send emails, write articles in the quarterly Bulletin and have personal conversations . I’ll address some of the questions here, hang on it may take a while! Dues Comparison – Why are other funeral service organization’s dues less than MFDA’s? Comparing MFDA to NFDA or CANA isn’t a fair assessment given the size of each group. Both of these organizations have national and international members with much higher numbers and I would imagine their financials reflect that. Arrowhead Funeral Directors Association does a great job in educating funeral directors in the northern part of the state twice each year, for a total of 16 hours. MFDA offers a variety of educational opportunities throughout the state multiple times each year and continue to find ways to give back to members. We increase our offerings every year and can only hope that directors would take advantage of the education.

6 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2019

Financially, what do the “books” look like? – MFDA is on firm ground financially with a budget in place for the coming year that shows a positive net income with adequate operating reserves. As you know, we do not have a Master Trust as in years past, so income is limited to dues, education, plus two preferred vendors in Federated Insurance and FDLIC. As a non-profit, MFDA is listed on the GuideStar website where you will find our Form 990. In the near future we will be setting up a members only section on the website where we will post our financials.

•

Defeated online price list disclosure requirement legislation

•

Upcoming challenge of deregulation legislation, with groups seeking to eliminate many duties from licensure requirement

•

Upcoming challenge of over-regulation legislation, with one group seeking to require a licensee to perform cremations

•

Addressing workforce challenges through advisory committees and task forces

Member Services – I can only speak to my time at MFDA since 2012. We have worked hard to gain back the trust of members by being consistent with our vision, which is to continue to advance the value of funeral service consistent with the changing needs of society and do this in a professional; compassionate; dignified and ethical way.

•

Proactive legislation on cremator operator certification of unlicensed individuals

•

Proactive legislation on modernizing reciprocal licensing to help alleviate workforce shortages. This bill is being heard sometime during this week.

Other areas that we have focused on include: Legislative – MFDA contracts with CookGirard and Joe Sellwood, MFDA has… •

Created a strong working relationship with MDH Mort Science, with open lines of communication.

Our lobbyist, Joe Sellwood, has done a tremendous amount of work over the past six to seven years in educating not only himself personally, but the various state representatives who are faced with as many as 2,000 bills each year and expected to know the ins and outs of everything from funeral service to water safety. Joe, Judy Cook, and

Professional. Compassionate. Dignified.

Member Services Legislative Board Governance Communication Outreach Jim Girard have long standing relationships with many state representatives, on both sides of the aisle. Because of their longevity and consistency, they are a trusted organization and people listen to what they have to say. Nationally, members of the MFDA Executive Committee attend NFDA’s Advocacy Summit in Washington D.C. joining funeral directors from around the country speaking to their state representatives and senators on issues that have included increase in veteran’s death benefits (The Brave Act) and regulation of body/tissue transport. I am a participant in the Council of Funeral Association Executives and meet three times a year with my counterparts around the country. Educationally we have expanded opportunities through our annual convention, increased CEU’s through district meetings; insurance courses; online CEU opportunities; Celebrant training. In addition, we collaborate with NFDA on courses such as Arranger training, Crematory Operator Certification and Certified Pre-Planning Consultant. MFDA also takes advantage of NFDA’s Leadership training for board members, Annual Advocacy Summit in Washington D.C. and of course the NFDA convention.

Cemetery For Sale Exceptional opportunity to establish COMBINATION business. Private cemetery (20 acres) located in Hibbing, MN – within city limits on major highway. Approximately 16,000 spaces available. Three individual monuments, ‘Lord’s Prayer’ Book, St. Ruth surrounded by 13’ columns and Resurrection (14’ tall). Masonry building for temporary internments. 48 niche columbarium. Also available: existing new home/office building on 5 acres. Mortuary room plumbed and vented for future mortuary equipment and 2 stall garage. Zoning has been updated to allow operation as a combination funeral home/ cemetery and also crematory. Crematory could possibly be placed in garage.View photos online at www.grandviewmemorialcemetery.com Email tonykoskimedia@gmail.com, or call (206) 369-1538.

Leadership for the future. In 2019 we are holding our fourth Leadership Academy. This is a concentrated effort to create an experience that enables both experienced and emerging leaders to excel now and into the future. Participants will learn leadership concepts and proven technique relevant for their profession, as well as gain important insights into MFDA. Board Governance – Over the past several years we have gained the trust of funeral directors who are willing to step up and serve their individual districts and ultimately the full membership by serving on the Board of Directors. We currently have a full slate of districts directors serving on the board and I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for this group. Communication – Both electronic and print we offer 1) MFDA Membership Directory; 2) Quarterly Bulletin; 3) Broadcast Emails and Updates. As a member you receive all of these communications. We are currently looking into new software that would allow for additional communication electronically. Outreach – MFDA continues to collaborate with organizations that interact with funeral service such as the University of MN Mortuary Science Program, MN Dept of Health Mortuary Science Section, Office of Vital Records, MN Hospice & Palliative Association, LeadingAge Minnesota, Care Providers of MN and MN Coroner’s and Medical Examiners Association. Management of the association is handled through a professional association management group with a staff of five that provides consistency to our members and overall operation of the organization. This business model has proven to be cost effective for the association. Staff includes Miki Tufto, Sue Sack, Amy Beckham, Kathy Sheridan and myself. We all respond to phone calls and emails and if someone doesn’t know an answer, someone else on staff will. We will continue to provide information through electronic communication and the quarterly Bulletins. Thank you for your continued support and I hope this answers your questions. In conclusion, MFDA only succeeds as a professional association if our members succeed. We do all of the above to assist in that venture and look forward to our continued relationship. My staff and I are certainly a part of that all-encompassing puzzle I alluded to in my last Bulletin article. Now, if you have taken time to read through this lengthy article, and text your funeral homes name to 612-940-8169, I’ll pick a few names from the hundreds of responses I get (???) and take someone to lunch or dinner, wherever you are, from International Falls to Luverne! I’m guessing that would be more than one road trip!

www.mnfuneral.org 7

Legislative Update By Joe Sellwood, Cook Girard Associates

The 2019 session is moving at a fast pace throughout the first few months. Legislators are setting records with the number of bills introduced, far surpassing previous years. Though it is becoming clear that even though there has been a “get-along” attitude among legislators in the nation’s only split control legislature, there will be rough waters ahead. Priorities are ranging between the two governing bodies. The House, with some of their issues of focus being paid family leave, MinnesotaCare-for-all, and early education funding, and the Senate focusing on school-linked mental health grants, childcare licensure reform, and reducing fraud in public programs. Already, the courses have been charted in generally different directions. As far as 2019 goes, legislators are intently crafting their budgets, and have expressed, on numerous occasions, that they would like to keep new policy out of it. Unfortunately for MFDA’s reciprocity language, it is new policy and will have to wait until next year. We have had many conversations with legislators who are supportive of the simple change, and look forward to getting this done in 2020.

Additionally, the Institute for Justice, “the nation’s only libertarian, civil liberties, public interest law firm,” introduced two measures that would directly impact the funeral industry. The first, clarifying that caskets and urns can be sold by nonlicensed individuals and the second, would expand the duties of non-licensed individuals, so long as they are a phone call away from the supervising licensee. Expanded duties include arranging, directing, or supervising a funeral, memorial or graveside service. Neither proposal from the Institute for Justice moved forward this year, and MFDA will continue discussions with the group. As we make our way through yet another legislative session, conversations around funeral service have been fruitful and legislators often know and appreciate their local funeral directors. Cook Girard Associates will keep MFDA and its members up-to-date on all issues of impact to the funeral service industry.

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MAY 20-22, 2019 ROCHESTER CIVIC CENTER â&#x20AC;¢ ROCHESTER, MN

2019 MFDA CONVENTION GUIDE + REGISTRATION FORM

Join us!

MAY 20-22, 2019

ROCHESTER CIVIC CENTER • ROCHESTER, MN Join us for education, fun, networking, great speakers, and camaraderie as we focus on being connected through power in numbers!

2019 CONVENTION KEYNOTE SPEAKERS TUESDAY, MAY 21 CHRIS HEETER, THE WILD INSTITUTE 9-9:50 a.m. - Wildly Present: The How To’s of Self-Care and Teamwork in a Wholehearted Industry

MONDAY, MAY 20 MATT BLACK, DODGE; KELLEY ROMANOWSKI, LIFESOURCE; MELINDA DEVRIES, LIFESOURCE 9 a.m.-12 p.m. - Serving Donor Families: Meeting Their Expectations and Supporting Your Challenges, Part A 1:30-4:30 p.m. - Serving Donor Families: Meeting Their Expectations and Supporting Your Challenges, Part B Part A - 3 Body Prep CEUs; Part B - 3 Body Prep CEUs

These sessions are a separate ticketed event for MFDA members at $60 early-bird/$75 on-site and non-members $120 earlybird/$135 on-site per session. Sessions to be held at Mayo Anatomy Lab in downtown Rochester – location details will be sent to registrants. Dodge, in conjunction with LifeSource, will be hosting two half-day lab education sessions the day before convention focusing on embalming and restoration techniques post donation. This will be an amazing opportunity to gather CEU credits as you learn some of the latest techniques to aide in embalming a donor. A special guest speaker and embalmer, Matt Black of Dodge will be joining us. Part A Morning Session: How does someone become a donor? Find out how LifeSource collaborates with the funeral home, what gifts were they able to recover and initial overview for embalming. Part B Afternoon Session: Building on the initial embalming, what are the options and next steps? Final reconstruction of the donor and how LifeSource continues to service the family along with your firm. Sponsored by Dodge and LifeSource

1 General CEU

With hilarious and poignant stories from her sled dog team, and a few recollections from her relationship with a funeral director, Chris Heeter offers insights on the finer points of leadership, teamwork, and caring for everyone on the team...including the musher! Chris Heeter is an award-winning speaker and a recipient of Meetingsnet’s “Editor’s Pick” Top Ten Speakers of 2014 as well as being a finalist for 2 years in a row for Minnesota Meetings and Event’s “Best Teambuilding Facilitator.” These awards fuel Chris’s fire to create a wild revolution in the work- place. As a wilderness guide for 33 years, Chris has led countless teams...both canine and human. Hmm, I wonder which is easier? Featured on The Discovery Channel’s “National Geographic Today,” Chris brings decades of wilderness leadership experience indoors, to offices and off-sites, helping us recognize that there is a path of self-care and great teamwork, even in a field that demands so much heart. Her stories come from her own “wild” life, from helping breed, raise, and train a team of 16 sled dogs, and from the rivers that serve as the backdrop for the many whitewater trips that she has guided.

Sponsored by Metro First Call

2019 MFDA ANNUAL CONVENTION MAY 20-22, 2019 • MAYO CIVIC CENTER, ROCHESTER

REGISTRATION Please fill out the form below OR ONLINE at www.mnfuneral.org/event/2019register REGISTER EARLY AND RECEIVE A $25 DISCOUNT! Complete the registration form below and return it to MFDA postmarked on or before Friday, May 10, 2019 and save! Forms returned May 11 or later should include full registration fee. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name (please print/type): Name on badge: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Firm name: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address (city, state, zip): _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone: ( ) Email: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Registration* Please select the appropriate registration fees below.

Subtotals

❑❑ MFDA Member Funeral Director: $200 ($225 after May 10)

$_______________

❑❑ MFDA Funeral Home Preneed Counselor: $200 ($225 after May 10)

$_______________

❑❑ Guest**: $100 ($125 after May 10) Guest name for badge:_____________________________________ $_______________ ❑❑ U of M Mortuary Science Student: Free ($30 after May 10)

$_______________

❑❑ Non-Member: $650 ($675 after May 10)

$_______________

❑❑ Past Presidents Breakfast (for Past Presidents only): $25

$_______________

Monday, May 20 - Lab Education Sessions held at Mayo Anatomy Lab in Rochester 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Serving Donor Families: Meeting Their Expectations and Supporting Your Challenges, Part A ❑❑ MFDA Member/Mortuary Science Student: $60 ($75 after May 11)

$_______________

❑❑ Non-Member: $120 ($135 after May 11)

$_______________

1:30-4:30 p.m., Serving Donor Families: Meeting Their Expectations and Supporting Your Challenges, Part B ❑❑ MFDA Member/Mortuary Science Student: $60 ($75 after May 11)

$_______________

❑❑ Non-Member: $120 ($135 after May 11)

$_______________

Please indicate if you will attend the Networking Event as well as the number of attendees. ❑❑ Monday, May 20, MFDA Pub Party Networking Night Free # attending_____________________ Total Enclosed $_______________ q MasterCard q VISA q Check (Make payable to MFDA) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Credit card #: Exp: CSV code: Billing zip: / _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name as it appears on card: Signature: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ❑❑ Check here if you require special assistance or have dietary requirements, and attach a statement of your needs. * Registration includes: Daily admission to Convention program sessions, all Exhibit Hall functions including meal functions. ** A Guest is a non funeral director who is a guest of a licensed funeral director. Out of respect for our exhibitors, non-exhibiting suppliers or sponsor members are not allowed to register or attend the Convention.

Send Completed Form: By Fax (with credit card information) to: (763) 416-0124 By Mail (with payment) to: Minnesota Funeral Directors Association 7046 E. Fish Lake Rd Maple Grove, MN 55311

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF MFDA AND THE 129TH ANNUAL CONVENTION AND EXPO!

MAY 20-22, 2019

ROCHESTER CIVIC CENTER • ROCHESTER, MN

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE MONDAY, MAY 20 8:00–9:00 a.m.................Embalming Lab Education Session Part A – Registration Open 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m......Embalming Lab Education Session - Serving Donor Families: Meeting Their Expectations and Supporting Your Challenges, Part A 12:00–1:30 p.m..Embalming Lab Education Session Part B – Registration Open 1:30–4:30 p.m.................Embalming Lab Education Session - Serving Donor Families: Meeting Their Expectations and Supporting Your Challenges, Part B 7:00–11:00 p.m.............. MFDA Welcome Pub Party

TUESDAY, MAY 21 7:00 a.m.......................................Registration Opens 8:00–8:50 a.m...................Past President Breakfast/ OSHA Training 9:00–9:50 a.m.........................Keynote: Chris Heeter 10:00–11:50 a.m........................... Breakout Sessions 12:00–1:35 p.m............... Lunch/Officer Installation/ 50 Year Awards/Service of Remembrance 1:45 p.m.–2:35 p.m...................... Breakout Sessions 2:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m......................Exhibit Hall Open w/Reception & Ticket-To-Win-It

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 8:00 a.m.......................................Registration Opens 8:30–10:30 a.m..............................Exhibit Hall Open w/Breakfast and Bloody Mary Bar, Ticket-To-Win-It Grand Prize Awarded 10:30–11:20 a.m...................Keynote: Dave Heinsch 11:30 a.m.–12:50 p.m..........Lunch/Busines Meeting Radiation Exposure Update/Opioid Update 1:00–2:50 p.m............................... Breakout Sessions 3:00–3:50 p.m..................................... OSHA Training

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS TUESDAY, MAY 21 8:00 - 8:50 a.m.

OSHA Training (1 OSHA CEU/1 Regulations & Ethics CEU) Mark Arnold, Funeral Director

10:00–10:50 a.m.

The Hard Stuff: Talking to families about Suicide, Cremation, and Overdose (1 Professional Practices CEU) Coral Popowitz, LICSW and Jessica Moujouros, Children’s Grief Connection Ever find yourself tongue tied or grasping for the “right” thing to say to a family when they ask you for advice? Based on the three topics that are most commonly asked about during programming at our Hearts of Hope Family Grief Camp, presenters will offer recommendations for discussing often stigmatized topics. We will give you ideas for what to say to kids, how to help adult family members talk to their children, and what not to say.

Obituaries: The Stories of Our Lives (1 Professional Practices CEU) Angela Woosely and Marc A. Markell, University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Program The arrangement conference gives the funeral director the opportunity to distill a person’s life story by writing obituary notices. Obituaries serve a fundamental role in our society, alerting and connecting communities, and reaffirming that our lives have meaning. Obituaries are a frequent writing activity for funeral directors, and you will have the opportunity to write many throughout your career. Learning about obituaries in this way will help you meet the needs of client families. The experience of writing obituaries is designed to help you learn by: 1. Developing your unique voice and style that is adaptable to suit family and community needs. 2. Helping you distill information in a way that is compact, powerful, and true to the decedent’s legacy and family’s wishes.

11:00–11:50 a.m.

Decreasing Customer Loyalty: The Problem Isn’t What You Think (1 Professional Practices CEU) Todd Carlson, Funeral Directors Life In today’s market, funeral professionals can no longer take customer loyalty for granted, and many funeral directors feel like they are losing ground to cremation and other non-traditional sources of competition. Most funeral professionals are blaming the changing funeral consumer for declining loyalty, but the REAL problem is much closer to home. During this eye-opening presentation, participants will learn the true reason for declining customer loyalty and take away actionable steps to rebuild customer loyalty and grow their businesses.

Compassion Toward Self, Nothing is ‘Ish’ About It! Strapping on Mindfulness & Self-Compassion (1 General CEU) Mary T. Schmitz, MSW, LICSW Mindfulness, intentionally bringing awareness to the current moment, has been receiving a lot of attention as of late although it was first integrated into Western Medicine by Jon Kabat Zinn in the early 70’s. Mary T. will share some of the practices she learned from Kabat-Zinn as they are now being integrated into spaces like Google, General Mills, Mayo Clinic, Penny George Institute, the NBA, and the Parliament in the UK. From Classrooms to Board Rooms - we know all people suffer and just as we know all suffer, how one responds to suffering determines their outcomes and their abilities to access learning, leading and connected relationships. Trauma ultimately is a disconnection. Mindfulness affords us a reconnection to self via a present moment awareness to thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. In this session, participants will be introduced to observing and noticing with kindness and compassion. We will practice with humility and hilarity~ so we might just add a few droplets of water to our potentially depleted well. SelfCompassion, a practice to reconnect to Self which opens you to connect with others.

MAY 20-22, 2019

ROCHESTER CIVIC CENTER • ROCHESTER, MN

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS 1:45–2:35 p.m.

The Law of the Funeral: Perspectives and Observations from a Mortuary Law Practitioner (1 Regulations & Ethics CEU) Michael D. Sharkey, Cousineau, Van Bergen, McNee & Malone, P.A. Attorney Sharkey will bring his experiences as a mortuary law practitioner in order to present a dynamic and engaging presentation concerning the legal issues that confront funeral service and cemeteries. Sharkey will discuss best practices that funeral directors can implement at their businesses in order to minimize or prevent litigation. He will discuss tools and strategies for the GPL, interactions with and the managing of difficult families, the nuances of Minn. Stat. 149A, and how to handle an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health. He will also discuss the emerging issue of formaldehyde and pregnancy, along with anecdotes from his mortuary law and expert witness work regarding the most recent legal developments concerning funeral service.

History of Military Honors (1 General CEU) Chris Van Hofwegen, Minnesota Army National Guard

How to GROW and ENGAGE with Families through Social Media (1 Professional Practices CEU) Mitchell McLean and Drew Seale, Funeral Directors Life This is a follow-up to last year’s presentation, “How To Use Social Media Marketing to Reach Today’s Funeral Customer.” As a funeral director, you know that Facebook offers you an excellent opportunity to educate and connect with the families they serve. But how do you build your audience, engage with families, and get the most out of this powerful and cost-effective marketing tool? Join Funeral Directors Life experts, Drew Seale, Director of Sales Operations, and Mitchell McLean, Director of Digital Marketing, who will share practical take-aways, client successes, and behind-the-scenes Facebook marketing and lead generation strategies that really work. Drew and Mitchell have worked with hundreds of funeral homes to help them engage more effectively through social media, and as a result, their clients have generated thousands of preneed leads. With the knowledge and skills gained during this presentation, you will be able to start growing, engaging, and connecting with your audience like a pro, and quickly and easily generate tons of leads for your preneed business!

A brief history on the Military Funeral Honors and the symbolism behind military funerals.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 1:00–1:50 p.m.

Death Registration – Special Situations (1 Regulations 7 Ethics CEU) Maria Schaff and Sally Almond, MN Department of Health in the Office of Vital Records Registering vital events is important to families, individuals, and critical to public health. Death records are the source for state and national mortality statistics, and you play a critical role in collecting data and registering deaths. Because statistical data derived from death certificates can be no more accurate than the information on the record, come to this interactive session where Office of Vital records staff will share tips, expertise and information on registering Minnesota death records including some of the special situations that you may encounter.

2:00–2:50 p.m.

Professional Remediation & Preventing Retraumatization (1 Body Prep CEU) Todd Carlson, Funeral Directors Life How to prevent traumatization or retrauamatization to family members or loved ones when a death by suicide or natural decomposition/delayed discovery requires professional remediation services. We will also cite examples to show the damage to a structure that many don’t know or think about.

Employment Practices & Trends (1 Professional Practices CEU) Ben Cox, Federated Insurance Surrounding employment issues can be daunting. This message is directed toward owners, managers, and human resource personnel, and offers methods to help avoid the pitfalls of employment actions. It specifically reviews necessary documentation, hiring practices, and termination procedures. It also includes additional available resources and tips for avoiding litigation.

3:00–3:50 p.m.

OSHA Training (1 OSHA CEU/1 Regulations & Ethics CEU) Mark Arnold, Funeral Director

2019 CONVENTION EXHIBIT HALL HOURS

Visit the Exhibit Hall to talk with sponsors, allied members and vendors. Tuesday, May 21 • 2:30–6:00 p.m Drink tickets sponsored by Batesville Appetizers sponsored by Funeral Directors Life

Wednesday, May 22 • 8:30 – 10:30 a.m Breakfast served in the exhibit hall, sponsored by Funeral Directors Life. Bloody Mary Bar sponsored by Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes of Rochester. $500 Grand Prize Awarded (must be present to win).

MFDA WELCOME PUB PARTY

WITH LIVE MUSIC BY PEGASUS Sponsored by Weser Vault, MAS Communications, and Willmar Precast Company

Willmar Precast Company

MONDAY, MAY 20 7:00–11 P.M. | DOOLEY’s PUB, 255 1ST AVE. SW, ROCHESTER JUST A COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM OUR CONVENTION HOTELS Join us for our Welcome Pub Party to kick off MFDA’s Convention, sponsored by Wieser Vault, MAS Communications, and Willmar Precast Company! Meet up at Dooley’s Pub, just a couple of blocks from our Convention hotels, for a night of live music by the band Pegasus with front woman and funeral director Kelly Kelly! Appetizers and drink tickets will be available. All Convention attendees and exhibitors are invited to this free event! Pegasus will entertain us with live music from the oldies to present, classic rock, dance, reggae, and country! Their motto is “serious, finger-poppin, partyin’ good boogie done with a five-year-old’s enthusiasm.”

TICKET-TO-WIN-IT

TICKET-2-WIN-IT!

Ticket-To-Win-It is back again! It’s your chance to win cold, hard cash and prizes by visiting booths in the Exhibit Hall. Be sure to be in the Exhibit Hall on Wednesday, May 22 when we draw the grand prize of $500 cash!

MAY 20-22, 2019

ROCHESTER CIVIC CENTER • ROCHESTER, MN

THANK YOU SPONSORS! TITLE SPONSORS SERVICE CORPORATION

CONVENTION HOTELS MFDA has teamed up with two downtown Rochester hotel properties located within a block of Mayo Civic Center (where the Convention will be held). Please make your reservation by Sunday, April 28. Selfparking discounted rate of $8 per day in nearby/ adjoining city ramp in both hotels.

Willmar Precast Company Embalming Lab Seminar Sponsors

Keynote Speaker Sponsor Brown Wilbert Wednesday Keynote/Tuesday AM Continental Breakfast/Convention App Sponsor Metro First Call Tuesday Exhibit Hall Drink Tickets Sponsor Batesville

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Rochester Mayo Clinic Area 150 South Broadway Rochester, MN • 1 King or 2 Double Beds – $159 • 1 King Deluxe Room – $339

Call 507-281-8000 and ask for the MFD group code or visit www.mnfuneral.org/coned for the link to make a reservation online.

Service of Remembrance Sponsors Kelco Supply Company, Messenger, United Heritage Wednesday Bloody Mary Bar Sponsor Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes Lanyard Sponsor NFDA Wed. Afternoon Refreshment Break Sponsor Batesville Phone Charging Station Sponsor Assured Decontamination Service Photo Booth Sponsor Lions Gift of Sight

Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown 225 South Broadway Rochester, MN • 1 King or 2 Queen Beds – $139

Call 507-285-1234 and ask for the MNF group code or visit www.mnfuneral.org/coned for the link to make a reservation online.

U of M Mortuary Science Update By Michael LuBrant, Program Director

March 17, 2019 It’s hard for me to imagine that as I write these lines, Spring Break is just a week away. Although Spring Break is supposed to mark the halfway point of the academic term, somehow it seems that with over two feet of snow on the ground (and more coming this weekend) warmer days might never arrive. How can it be possible that graduation is only two months away? Here’s to hoping we won’t be shoveling snow off the terrace at Coffman Student Union on May 10th. We’ll see… I am excited to share with you a number of exciting things that have been happening here in our program over the past few months. On February 2, student adviser Robyn Meunier gave birth to her second child – a baby girl named Emery – or “Emmy.” We congratulate the Meunier family on their latest addition, and look forward to Robyn’s return to the program in early May, following her maternity leave. In other news, program students Ean Sinn and Belle Ryberg, along with faculty member Giselle Wynia, recently participated in the “Frunge” frozen lake jump event, the goal of which is to raise money for the Children’s Grief Connection “Hearts of Hope” camp. We are thrilled to report that their participation in the Frunge raised $2,682 towards this important endeavor, which provides much needed support to grieving kids and their families. Thank you so much, Ean, Belle, and Giselle, for doing such a great job for a very important cause. As I think many of you know, our program went through a comprehensive self-study process last year in preparation for a three-day site visit by representatives of our accrediting agency, the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). The Site Visit Team report spoke very highly of the work we are doing here at the U to educate the next generation of funeral service

16 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2019

professionals. Significantly, the team noted no concerns with respect to our compliance with accreditation Standards. The next step in the re-accreditation process will be our appearance before the ABFSE “Committee on Accreditation,” (COA) which takes place in early April. At this meeting, I will answer any questions members of the COA might have about our program, and will learn then of their decision regarding our program’s application for Renewal of Accreditation. I will share with you the COA’s decision in April, once it has been finalized. I am also excited to share information about an upcoming news story that will showcase our program, to be aired on The CW Twin Cities (Digital Channel 22/UHF; www.thectwc.com). Back in February I was contacted by a reporter from CWTC to discuss their interest in

doing a story about our program, faculty, and students, and a career in funeral service. After some planning, a media crew from CTWC came on campus and interviewed faculty member Angela Woosley, and students Ean Sinn and Simone Simpson. (Ean even was able to speak a bit about the Children’s Grief Connection!) I had a chance to preview the news story (which runs a little over 11 minutes) and am very pleased with the final result. Angela, Ean, and Simone did a terrific job discussing both our program and the profession of funeral service. I am so proud of this story, and look forward to publishing it on our website after it airs in early March. (Note: At the time of this writing, the story can be viewed here: http://thecwtc. com/news/local/voices-mortuaryscience-uofm)

In an effort to promote our profession to prospective mortuary science students, we now make available to funeral homes “recruiting kits” for placement in their chapels. These kits consist of program and career information brochures that we have placed in an attractive Lucite display rack, branded with the U of M logo. We make these materials available to funeral homes free of charge, and to date have distributed over 200 kits to firms across the state. Since beginning this outreach effort, we have heard from four prospective students who told us they first learned about a career in funeral service by picking up one of our brochures while at a visitation. We all know of the labor shortage in our profession, so I hope many funeral homes will request a kit for each of their chapels. You are welcome to stop by our office anytime to pick one up (or more, as need) – just let us know how many you would like, and we will prepare them for you. Likewise, we will also have kits available for pick-up at our booth at the MFDA convention in May. Some of our local vendors are also helping us by delivering them to funeral homes they call on. Please let us, or your local vendor, know of you interest, and we will be happy to provide these materials to you.

Brown Wilbert

Inc.

Amish Barnwood Casket & Rocker

In closing, we look forward to seeing you at the upcoming MFDA Annual Meeting in Rochester in May. Let’s hope by then all the snow will be gone. And in the meantime, please be sure to “like” us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with recent happenings and events. Here’s to hoping that Spring might consider making an early appearance! Sincerely, Michael LuBrant, Program Director

Venetian with Farm Scene Legacy Order Vaults, Caskets, & Urns Online at Brown-Wilbert.com www.mnfuneral.org 17

Book Review: “When Death Becomes Life: Notes from a Transplant Surgeon.” by Joshua D. Merzich, MD By Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez, LLC

Flat as a dinner plate. That was the surprise on last night’s commute home: a flat tire. An inconvenience, a hassle and an expense, but that’s the beauty of a disposable economy: if something goes bad, we just replace it. In the new book When Death Becomes Life by Joshua D. Mezrich, MD, though, that’s easier said than done. Who among us has a chance to be truly awed by our job on a daily basis? Joshua Mezrich does. As an associate professor of surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, he literally holds life and death in his hands every time he steps into the OR because, for much of his career, Mezrich has performed organ transplants on extremely ill patients. It almost didn’t happen this way. Early in his medical journey, Mezrich was focused on pediatrics. Like most interns, he rotated through various medical branches and at one point, he worked with a transplant harvest team, which entailed shaving skin from recently-deceased donors to buy time for burn victims. He loved to joke around and had barely learned a thing about surgery in general, until a superior called him on his lack of knowledge. That led to a falling-in-love with the field of organ transplant, specifically that of the liver and heart. Again, it almost didn’t happen. In the nineteenth century, doctors flirted with the idea of organ transplants but medical knowledge was woefully inadequate. About a century ago, they knew enough to make strides in the field, mostly based on theory and canine experiments. In the 1950s and 1960s, organ transplants became more successful,

but not until relatively recently, in the 1980s and with the invention of immunosuppressant drugs, has it became as common as it is today. And yet, as Mezrich tells in personal anecdotes that weave in and out of the history of organ donation and transplantation, there’s nothing common about it. “We have many victories,” he says, “but the losses are the ones we never forget. They torture us, but also keep us striving to do better.” It’s a sobering thought, and one that author Joshua D. Mezrich says haunts each of his transplant patients: in many cases, someone must die in order for someone to live. That fact never wavers in When Death Becomes Life. And yet, this is book is not always serious. Mezrich’s tone perfectly fits the jokester persona that he says he has. Moments of humor nicely balance the pages and pages of thriller-like action, as he and his colleagues fly cross-state to receive organs and save the lives of people who are hours from death. Those stories will pound that heart you have, as you’re introduced to heroes who gave their lives in research, and heroes who gave their lives to strangers in need. Be aware that there are real (and unexplained) medical terms in here, but they shouldn’t be a problem. You’ll be too busy being amazed at “When Death Becomes Life” to notice, and flat-out loving it.

Joshua D. Merzich, MD Photo by John Maniaci

That was the surprise on last night’s commute home: a flat tire. An inconvenience, a hassle and an expense, but that’s the beauty of a disposable economy: if something goes bad, we just replace it. In the new book When Death Becomes Life by Joshua D. Mezrich, MD, though, that’s easier said than done. 18 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2019

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www.mnfuneral.org 19

2017 Data Shows Deaths Continue to Rise from Opioids, Alcohol and Suicides in Minnesota More Minnesotans died from opioids, alcohol and suicide in 2017 compared to previous years, continuing a worrisome long-term trend for individuals, families and entire communities. In 2017, 422 Minnesotans died from opioids, 636 from alcohol and 783 by suicide. Since 2000, deaths from all three steadily increased in the state. Many other states have reported similar increases. While each of the deaths is an individual tragedy, Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm points to the need to address the trend with community-level solutions. “There are many forces driving this increase in preventable deaths, and a key factor is a lack of social connectedness and opportunity,” Commissioner Malcolm said. “Our overall health is determined by many factors, and one of the most important is the health of our communities. Things like job opportunities, good education and social connection each play a role in the health of individuals, families and communities. That means strengthening our community is an important step toward addressing these health challenges.”

20 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2019

Rather than accepting these worrisome trends as a new normal, Minnesota communities are coming together to take action. For example, with statewide data showing that American Indians in Minnesota are more likely than other groups to die from opioid, alcohol and suicide, tribal nations are using community grants to develop culturally specific mental and chemical health treatment options for members. Several Minnesota communities have also implemented fatality review teams. These teams come together following an overdose or suicide death to look at factors that may have contributed to a person’s death. The City of Minneapolis is piloting a fatality review team for opioidinvolved deaths, and the Minnesota National Guard led one to look at deaths by suicide. The goal of this work is to determine where systems-level changes can prevent future deaths. Meanwhile, increased availability of the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone has helped prevent overdose deaths across the state. The Minnesota Department of Health distributes this lifesaving drug to all eight Emergency Medical Services regions in Minnesota.

As a result, first responders can more quickly take action in cases of opioid overdose emergencies. In 2016, Minnesota lawmakers passed a bill that provides increased access to naloxone from pharmacies without requiring a prescription. Minnesota communities also are using a comprehensive public health approach to reduce suicide, the eighth leading cause of death in Minnesota. The Community Partners Preventing Suicide program continues to work with 16 health and behavioral health care agencies across the state to implement the Zero Suicide Model. This model aims to improve the quality of life for people at risk of suicide, with a focus on patient safety and discharge planning in health care systems. In addition, efforts have focused on building community support for individuals and families, and identifying and connecting at-risk Minnesotans with services. Regarding alcohol, almost 30 Minnesota communities track data as part of Place of Last Drink (POLD). This tool is a database that seeks to identify where a person last consumed alcohol before becoming involved in an alcohol-related incident,

such as a DUI or assault. Law enforcement officials then use the information to work with retailers to improve serving practices. Implementing this system, several communities have seen a decrease in driving while intoxicated. Gov. Tim Walz’s budget proposal builds on these community successes with a number of provisions including the following. • Funding

for a national suicide prevention lifeline in Minnesota

• Support

for fatality review teams in local communities

• Implementation

of a zero suicide model in health systems

• Culturally

competent services incorporating traditional American Indian healing

• Resources

to connect patients to opioid addiction treatment through increased screening

• New

grants for local communities most affected by opioids and suicide

• Expanded

access to life-saving naloxone

• Expanded

access to opioid addiction treatment to people in correctional facilities

• Funding

for medication-assisted treatment.

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www.mnfuneral.org 21

IN MEMORIAM James “Jim” William Stough, Minnesota funeral director, age 62 of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully Sunday, February 24, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Saint Mary’s Campus surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born on June 6, 1956, in Jackson, Minnesota, to Roger and Shirley (Bechtel) Stough. He was baptized on July 6, 1956, and confirmed on May 24, 1970. He grew up and attended school in Estherville, Iowa, graduating from Estherville High School in 1974 and then attending Iowa Lakes Community College. Jim was employed at Pizza Hut as a store manager for five years before working for his father at Estherville Millworks. On May 8, 1982, Jim married Terri Groninger at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sherburn, Minnesota, the same church in which his parents were married. Together they raised two children, son Brian and daughter Kelsey. Jim went on to attend Worsham College of Mortuary Science located in the Chicago, Illinois area, graduating in 1985 with a degree in Mortuary Science. He served his internship and continued to work at Henry-Olson-Fuhrman Funeral Home in Estherville, Iowa until 1989 when he went to work at Olson Funeral Home, which served several communities in the Fairmont area. In July 2000, Jim started working at Worlein Funeral Home. He was a licensed funeral director in both the states of Minnesota and Iowa. Jim was also a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. He served the Austin community with involvement

22 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2019

in the Austin Noon Lions, Austin Chamber of Commerce, serving as an Ambassador, a volunteer for the Freedom Festival parade, and on the 100 Club. He was a member of the Austin Country Club and St. John’s Lutheran Church. In his free time, he enjoyed Green Bay Packer football, Hawkeye sports, sprint car races, golf, trips to Las Vegas, sampling craft beers, and spending time with his family. Jim will be remembered as a big presence who gave his all to his work and family. He will be dearly missed. Survivors include his wife, Terri Stough of Austin, Minnesota; son, Brian (Kate Hansen) Stough of Minocqua, Wisconsin; daughter, Kelsey Stough of Bloomington, Minnesota; father, Roger (Joyce) Stough of Webster City, Iowa; one sister, Becky (Dave) Hoss of Pipestone, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Jim (Pam) Groninger of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; sisters-in-law, Kelly (Jeff) Kennedy of Henderson, Nevada, Connie Groninger of North Mankato, Minnesota; nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley in 1988; his grandparents; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gerald “Joe” and Sylvia Groninger. Funeral services were held March 2 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor James Groleau officiating. Visitation was held March 1 at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Sherburn Cemetery, Sherburn Minnesota. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.

Thomas P. O’Connell, Wisconsin funeral director, affectionately known as Tucker, age 91 of Hudson, died peacefully Saturday March 2, 2019, at the Christian Community Home in Hudson. Tom was born January 7th, 1928, in Hudson, WI to Richard Joseph & Margaret (Grace) O’Connell. He grew up in Hudson and attended college at UW-River Falls as well as the University of Minnesota where he earned his degree in Mortuary Science. Following high school, he enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guards where he developed many lasting friendships. Always being an entrepreneur, Tom was a small business owner, as well as a successful paper goods and pharmaceutical sales rep. On Aug. 25, 1951, he was united in marriage to Janet Marie Smisek at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson. This union would be blessed with four children; Thomas, Kathleen, Daniel, and Michael. Following the tradition of his family, Tom started working for a funeral home in the Twin Cities - where he became quite proficient. He decided to set out on his own and in 1985 founded the new O’Connell Valley Funeral Home in Hudson - serving the St. Croix County area and beyond. He helped create success greater than he could have ever imagined by helping grieving families at their worst moment. It was the greatest reward for him to work side by side with his sons Dan and Mike. Tom had a gift, which was the ability to talk to others at their level. Beyond his work at the funeral home, Tom was well known in the Hudson area for his active involvement in the community. He has been a member

of the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way - St. Croix Valley, Phipps Center for the Arts, the Hudson Community Foundation, the Wisconsin Regional Planning Committee, and St. Patrick’s Parish Council. Tom served many years on the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors, many of which as financial chairman. He also served an incredible 45 years on the Hudson Police and Fire Commission where the majority was spent as Commissioner. Finally, Tom has dedicated much of his recent life as an advocate against child predators through various organizations formed to protect children. Although Tom felt most comfortable at work, when he did get away, he enjoyed relaxing at the family cabin on Trade Lake, driving around in his 1929 Ford Model A Roadster, and spending time with his kids, grandkids, and great grandchildren. For all that knew Tom, you could appreciate his infectious smile and demeanor, but his dry, witty humor usually left others shaking their head with laughter. Tom will forever remain in the hearts of his children, Thomas (Carol) O’Connell of Cross Plains, Kathleen (Joyce Johnson) O’Connell of Inver Grove Heights, and Michael (Carla) O’Connell of Wilson; grandchildren, Megan (Adam) Crowson, Tim O’Connell, Colleen O’Connell, Kyle O’Connell, Kaitlyn O’Connell, Emma O’Connell, and Tess O’Connell; and great-grandchildren, Charlie and Lucy. And of course, we cannot forget his beloved dog, the chairman of the board, Pepe. A great union in heaven was made Saturday with his wife of 66 years Janet, his beloved son Danny, great grandson Braydon, his parents Richard Joseph & Margaret (Grace) O’Connell, step mother Erma, brother

Donald, Robert (Ella), and sister Peggy (George) Schullo.

miles on his Harley-Davidson, and being each other’s best friend.

Mass of Christian Burial for Tom O’Connell was held on March 7 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson. Burial will be at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery with his staff acting as casketbearers. Visitation was held March 6 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, as well as one hour prior to the Mass at the church on March 7. Memorials are preferred to Dan O’Connell Peace Garden. The ultimate privilege was given to his son Mike and staff at O’Connell’s who he wished to coordinate his funeral celebration. Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home.

Greg was born with a strong work ethic, which he was passionate about passing down to his children. He was also passionate about the outdoors; fishing, hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, chopping firewood, and feeding “his” deer. During Greg’s journey with cancer, he invested in his own piece of Heaven on Earth at a small fishing camp tucked away in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It was his happy place and where he truly wanted to spend his days. Greg was always just a phone call away; no matter the problem, he had a solution. He was the most dedicated husband, understanding father, active grandpa, and loyal friend.

Gregory Dean Waldhalm, father of Minnesota Funeral Director Katie Sabe, age 53, lifelong resident of Sturgeon Lake, MN courageously ended his six-year long battle with colorectal cancer on Monday, March 4th, 2019, at home with his family by his side. He was born on August 28th, 1965, in Duluth, MN to James and Elizabeth (Gautsch) Waldhalm. Greg attended school in Moose Lake until the 10thgrade when he transferred to Pine Technical College, obtaining a GED and a degree in welding. Aside from numerous part time jobs, he became a full-time employee of the family business, R &G Waldhalm Contractors in Sturgeon Lake, becoming the sole owner in 2007. On September 24th, 1994, Greg married Gail Mlaskoch at their farm in Sturgeon Lake. Over the past 25 years together, they enjoyed raising kids and grandkids, exploring our country from coast to coast, putting

He will be forever missed by his wife, Gail; children, Jamie (Tanya) Prachar, Ryan Prachar, Katie (Cole) Sabe, and Gregory Waldhalm; grandchildren, Vincent, Colin, Kaydence, Jorja, Scarlett, and Daytona Prachar; his mother, Betty Waldhalm; brothers, James Waldhalm, Rick (Janell) Waldhalm, and Jeff (Kelly) Waldhalm; nieces, nephews, cousins, countless friends, and his faithful companion, Jessie. Greg is preceded in death by his father, James “Big Wally” Waldhalm; cousin, Rhonda Jacobson; and nephew, Zachary Salmonson. A visitation to honor Greg’s life was held March 8 in the pavilion at Doc’s Sports Bar and Grill – Sturgeon Lake. Visitation continued before the funeral on March 9 in the pavilion. Burial followed in Blomskog Cemetery. Arrangements by HamlinHansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake. In Memoriam continues on page 24…

www.mnfuneral.org 23

IN MEMORIAM Eunice Haugen, age 83, of Minneota, mother of Kurt Haugen, funeral director in Luverne, died Monday, March 4, 2019, at the Minneota Manor Health Care Facility. She was born October 3, 1935, in Wabasso, MN, to Benjamin and Lorene (Thomas) Pohlen. Eunice attended St. Edward Catholic School and later graduated from Minneota High School in 1954. Eunice was united in marriage to Larry Haugen on September 4, 1954, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota. After their marriage, the couple lived in the Boyd and Arco areas before moving to Minneota in 1965. Eunice and Larry were married 56 years; he died April 29, 2010. Eunice was very busy being a homemaker in the early years of their marriage having eight children in less than nine years. She worked for the Schotts Corporation in Minneota and Schwan’s in Marshall before she retired in 1995. The time she enjoyed most was Sunday dinners, picnics, and fishing with her family. Later in life she enjoyed painting, quilting, crocheting, making afghans, dollies and many other sewing projects. She especially enjoyed when her

24 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2019

children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren came to visit with her. Eunice is survived by her eight children, Larry (Faye) Haugen, Glenwood; Greg (Mary) Haugen, Minneota; Jim (Pam) Haugen, Ashby; Dawn Claeys, Wayzata; John Haugen, Myrtle Beach, SC; Dave (Debbie) Haugen, Callahan, FL; Deb (Greg) Laleman, Marshall; and Kurt (Julie) Haugen, Luverne; twenty seven grandchildren, thirty three greatgrandchildren; six brothers and sisters, Jerry Pohlen, Taunton; Ben (Sue) Pohlen, Minneota; Doug (Linda) Pohlen, Madison Lake; Diane (Jim) Jelen, Starbuck; Margene (Bernie) Claeys, Ghent; brother-in-law, Herb Schmitz, Lakeville; and a sister-in-law, Cecilia Pohlen, Minneota. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Larry; three sisters, Phyllis Van Watermuelen, Delores Schmidtand Lois Schulte; and two brothers, Thomas and Mike Pohlen. Visitation was held March 7 at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Minneota. Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Edwards Catholic Church officiated by Fr. Zachary Peterson. Burial will be in St. Edwards Catholic Cemetery. Dingmann Funeral Home, in Luverne, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Joanne Louise Gill McGraw, mother of Minnesota Funeral Director Daniel McGraw, age 89, formerly of Edina, died peacefully on March 5, 2019. Joanne was the daughter of John and May Casey Gill. A graduate of Christ the King Grade School and a 1947 graduate of the Academy of the Holy Angels. Preceded in death by son, Patrick Casey McGraw. Survived by husband of 68 years, Neil; children, Kathleen, Michael, Brian, Daniel (his children, Margaret “Maggie”, 1LT Joseph, Colleen and Mary Clare) and Bridget (Christine Brandes) (and son, Pablo); sisters, Patricia Jeub and Kathleen “Sis” Grogan Bush. Mass of Christian Burial was held March 8 at the Church of Our Lady of Grace. Interment, Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation was held March 7 at Gill Brothers Funeral Chapel, and 1 hour prior to Mass at church. The McGraw family would like to thank the Wealshire of Bloomington for their loving compassionate care of Joanne throughout the last four years. Memorials preferred to the Joanne Gill McGraw Scholarship Fund at the Academy of Holy Angels or Donor’s choice.

MFDA Allied Member News Jeff Brodsly Named to ETA’s Forty Under 40: Gamechangers in Payments Technology Upon learning he had been named to the Forty Under 40 list Brodsly said, “I am humbly honored to be included with such a prestigious group of people in the industry. It is a true testament to the dedication our serving our clients, being honest and ethical and maintaining our commitment to delivering White Glove Service, a mission statement of Chosen Payments.” About Chosen Payments

The Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) selected Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments for the 2019 Forty Under 40 class, highlighting the gamechangers at the intersection of payments and technology. The roster includes individuals whose actions and leadership are driving the payments technology industry forward and represent payments – from start to FinTech. The 2019 Forty Under 40 will be featured in the Spring issue of ETA’s magazine, Transaction Trends, and honored at TRANSACT, the premier event for payment industry professionals, May 30 – April 2, 2019 in Las Vegas.

Chosen Payments is a trusted merchant service provider serving many specialized industries including ground transportation, funeral care providers, jewelry, health care, automotive retail establishments and many more. The company is dedicated to providing the lowest cost, fastest funding and technology-driven solutions for clients by determining the best solutions to help improve cash flow while increasing profitability. The company focuses on providing solutions to merchants utilizing best in class technology while increasing cash flow and efficiency. To learn more about Chosen Payments visit www.Chosenpayments.com.

Brodsly began working in the industry as an independent sales agent in 2008. He operated an agent office writing deals under an ISO. He would later become a partner of the ISO when he merged with their 8 year-old company. Sales quadrupled in the first year as he took the company to a new level and eventually split from the partnership. In 2011 the Chosen Payments brand was born. Today, Chosen Payments and its partners, under the corporate umbrella of Aurora Solutions serve more than 25,000 merchants processing well over $5B annually. The company employs approximately 150 individuals with offices in California, New Hampshire, Arizona, Michigan, Tennessee and Georgia.

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26 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2019

SPECIAL THANKS TO MFDA’S 2019 ALLIED MEMBERS

MFDA thanks those individuals who have shown their commitment to MFDA and its members by becoming Allied members. To contact a member, call the MFDA office at 763-416-0124, refer to your MFDA Directory, or visit the online MFDA Buyer’s Guide at www.mnfuneral.org. 21st Century Bank Dustin Winter www.21stcb.com

Federated Funeral Directors of America Kim Alexander www.federated-funeral.com

Anatomy Bequest Program Jake Anderson, Andrew Ashton, Paul Hill, Angela McArthur, Sarah Paulsen, John Straub, Tamara Voss www.bequest.umn.edu

Federated Insurance Ben Cox www.federatedinsurance.com

Answering Service for Directors Craig Meehan www.myasd.com Artco Casket Company, Inc. Al Whitmer, Steve Doscher, Wally Gelecinskyj www.artcocasket.com Asphalt Associates Brad Larson www.asphalt-associates.com Assured Decontamination Service Perry Ebner www.deconservices.com Baines Professional Vehicles John Baines www.4hearse.com Batesville Mark Worley www.batesville.com Brown-Wilbert, Inc. Dave Gavin, Christopher Brown, Andrew Brown, Bruce Bratton, Brett Jacobsen, Maleia Kavitz, John Schmitt, Jeff Bauer, Jerry Brown www.brown-wilbert.com Children’s Grief Connection Coral Popowitz www.childrensgriefconnection.com Chosen Payments Jim Luff www.chosenpayments.com Cousineau, VanBergen, McNeese and Malone Michael Sharkey www.cvmmlaw.com Decorating Den Interiors Gina Wolleat www.gina.decoratingden.com Director’s Buddy Brian Denny www.directorsbuddy.com Dodge Company Lincoln Plain www.dodgeco.com

Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association Kari A. Hubbard www.forestlawnmn.com Funeral Directors Life John Harrington Scott Tufto www.funeraldirectorslife.com Funeral Home Gifts Karl Weisenbeck www.funeralhomegifts.com Graceful Burial Kelly Moore www.gracefulburial.com Great Western Insurance Company Doug Stolt www.gwic.com Heritage Bank Dean Steinwand www.heritagebankna.com Homesteaders Life Company Steve Byhre www.homesteaderslife.com Hyvee Eagan Chris Straub www.hy-vee.com Johnson Williams Funeral Car Todd Anderson www.jwfuneralcars.com Keith M. Merrick Co., Inc. Kyle Grimes www.keithmerrick.com Kelco Supply Alicia Carr www.kelcosupply.com Keystone Funeral Home Design Build Russ Karasch www.keystone.db.com Laker Insurance Patrick Zalusky LifeSource Organ and Tissue Donation Melinda DeVries www.life-source.org

Lions Gift of Sight (Formerly Minnesota Lions Eye Bank) Patty Stockdale www.mnlionseyebank.org MAS Communications Mary Reeves www.mascommunications.net Matthews Aurora Casket Roger Ruth, Alexis Smith www.matw.com Messenger Bob Hoaglund www.messengerstationery.com Midwest Medical Examiners Office Angie Chalmers www.midwestmedicalexaminer.com Monumental Sales Chris Taylor www.sunburstmemorials.com Mutual of America Tom Burkhart www.mutualofamerica.com Northwestern Casket Co. David Koll www.nwcasket.com Pekin Life Insurance Company Michelle Vos www.pekininsurance.com Pluto Boes Legal Cheryl Vos www.plutolegal.com Scene Clean Nate Berg www.scenecleanmn.com Senior Advantage Consultants Julie and Jim Palm www.sradvantageconsultants.com Steinhaus Supply Services Steven Steinhaus United Heritage Insurance Bob Hanson www.unitedheritage.com University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Michael LuBrant www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu Wieser Vault Matt Wieser, Todd Wieser www.wieser-doric.com Willmar Precast Company Ron Jasperson

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