Meet Our Caring Team

Luke Johnson joined the staff of Glende-Nilson Funeral Homes in August 2014 and has lived in the Fergus Falls community for numerous years, having been  previously employed at the former Boschert-Norman and Faith and Hope Funeral Home.

He grew up and attended school in Lake Park, graduating from Lake Park/Audubon High School in 2000. Luke then went on to attend Minnesota State University Moorhead from 2000 -2004. After his generals he then continued his education at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in Ohio. While there he served as a lab assistant where he worked closely with the University Of Cincinnati and their body donation program. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science in 2007.

Luke and his wife, Laura, live on Wall Lake with children, Alexis and Kayden. Luke also has an adult son, Rusty. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting and fishing. 

Luke is a licensed Funeral Director in Minnesota and North Dakota, Certified Crematory Operator and also holds his insurance license.

Rick was born and raised in Battle Lake, Minnesota. He graduated from the Fergus Falls Community College and then the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. After graduating from the U of M he was employed with funeral homes in Virginia, Minnesota, as well as the Bertha area. In 1995, Rick joined the staff at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, and later at Erickson-Smith.

Rick attends the Battle Lake Alliance Church and is a member of the Battle Lake Lions Club. Rick and his wife Ann live on their farm by Battle Lake. They have three sons, and seven grandsons. Rick enjoys horseback riding and camping.

Jeremy was born and raised in Weatherford, Texas, prior to living in Minnesota. Jeremy is a US Army veteran. He attended Texas Tech University and Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, and he has been licensed since 2012. Jeremy is also a licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. 

Jeremy is married to his wife, Leslie, and has three children. He enjoys getting to know the community and is looking forward to becoming more involved in local organizations. In his spare time, Jeremy enjoys exercising, spending time with his family, and playing various musical instruments.

Shanna is originally from Oklahoma and lived in Fergus Falls for five years before settling in Breckenridge. She has a degree in medical lab science and was a Lab Tech at Essentia Health prior to making a career switch. After earning her degree in mortuary science, Shanna worked as a funeral director in Breckenridge and Wahpeton for three years. She feels a strong sense of purpose in helping others, particularly those on the journey through grief.

In her spare time, Shanna enjoys crafting, antiquing, checking out unique museums, and going to the lake. She is married to Brad, who is a third-generation farmer. Shanna has one daughter, Hayley, and two grandsons.

Matt grew up in Appleton, Minnesota. After graduating high school in 1996, Matt attended Fergus Falls Community and Technical College. He started his professional career in banking. He began in a call center and later advanced to become a banker and manager. He has worked in Fargo, Moorhead, the Twin Cities, and Wahpeton. Matt has always enjoyed assisting clients with their financial needs.

Matt and his wife, Jenny, live in Fergus Falls and have three children. They chose Fergus Falls to be closer to his in-laws who operated a dairy farm. Matt and his family enjoy spending time together and attending many activities within the community. They are members of the Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Matt is also a member of the Fergus Falls Football Booster Club, Fergus Falls Youth Baseball Board, Town and Country Saddle Club, and Buse-Orwell 4-H.

Matt loves working with people and considers it an honor to serve the community as our Advance Funeral Planner.

Diane joined the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake and Hoffman in the spring of 2014. 

Diane has been a resident of Elbow Lake since early childhood. She and her husband, Tom, have four adult children, and they have blessed them with nine beautiful grandchildren whom she adores and loves to spend time with.

She is a member of St. Olaf Catholic Church in Elbow Lake. In her spare time, Diane enjoys charity sewing, gardening, being together with her family , and attending her grandchildren's events.