TIM AND TANA MUNDWILER

OWNERS/LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tim and Tana (Jaeger) Mundwiler graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1984. They returned to the family business in Milbank, and represent the third generation of funeral directors in the Mundwiler family. Tim and Tana purchased the Milbank business in 1989, and in 2010, became co-owners of the Larson Funeral Homes in Ortonville, MN; Clinton, MN; Graceville, MN; Browns Valley, MN; as well as Emanuel-Patterson Funeral Home in Milbank.

Tim and Tana have three daughters: Kaylee (and husband Benjamin Arlt), Amber, and Jamie.  They are blessed with one beautiful granddaughter, Caroline Arlt. Tim has been a member of the Milbank Fire Department since 1984, and retired in 2017. He was honored as South Dakota Lions Funeral Director of the Year in 1996. Tana serves as a board member on the Milbank Community Foundation.  They are members of Central United Methodist Church. Tim, Tana, and their girls enjoy horse showing and are proud to claim several World Champion titles.

ANDREW JOHNSON

LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR

Andrew was born and raised in Milbank where he graduated high school.  He graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Secondary Education, and later graduated from the University of Minnesota Program of Mortuary Science.

Andrew was a Science Teacher in Gillette, Wyoming for several years before returning to school in 2003.  After his graduation from the University of Minnesota, Andrew worked as a Licensed Funeral Director in St. Cloud until 2016.

Andrew and his wife Brenda Handel-Johnson, a piano and voice teacher, and church musician have one daughter, Annaeka, who is a teacher and music librarian in Chicago.

Andrew joined the team at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Homes in 2017, and has been a wonderful addition to the team.

Andrew is a member of American Lutheran Church, Milbank.  In his personal time, he enjoys hunting and fishing, singing and bluegrass music, baking bread and cooking. 

ELIZABETH BAKKELUND

LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR

Elizabeth joined the Mundwiler & Larson family in May of 2018.  She and her sense of humor have been warmly welcomed to the team.

Elizabeth grew up on a farm in the Odessa area and graduated from Ortonville High School with the class of 2005. Following high school, she attended Presentation College in Aberdeen, SD, earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology (with a minor in Psychology), Associate of Science Degree in Chemistry, and Associate of Science Degree in Medical Assisting. In 2013, Elizabeth graduated from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mortuary Science.

She worked as a funeral director in the Montevideo/Dawson area for five years before returning to her roots.  Elizabeth looks forward to actively participating in the Ortonville community and has enjoyed being “back home”.

Outside of her career, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, going on ATV rides on her parents’ farm, reading mystery novels, playing with her two Dachshunds (Tucker and Chipper).  She enjoys a good cup of coffee, and admits she has a guilty pleasure for reality television. Her secret talents include speaking conversational Swedish and singing karaoke. 

Whitney Barthel

FUNERAL DIRECTOR INTERN

Whitney grew up in Milbank, South Dakota, where she graduated high school in 2004. From there, she attended Southwest Minnesota State University and earned a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in psychology in 2009.

After taking several years off from school to have a family, Whitney started working at a funeral home in Watertown, South Dakota, and attending school to become a licensed funeral director in the summer of 2020. She is currently enrolled at Des Moines Area Community College and will graduate in the winter of 2022.

Whitney joined the Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Homes staff in April 2021. In her free time, she enjoys being outside and spending time with her five children: Daniel, Frankie, George, Charlie, and Rose.

KAYLEE ARLT

PRENEED SPECIALIST

Kaylee (Mundwiler) Arlt is the oldest daughter of Tim and Tana.  She joined the staff in 2017.  Kaylee heads our Preneed Department and helps in the office.

Kaylee is a graduate of Milbank High School, South Dakota State University, and has a B.A. degree in Spanish, a B.A. degree in Global Studies and a Latin American Studies minor.  She has a diploma of Sustainable Food Production from Minnesota State Community and Technical College – Fergus Falls.

Kaylee is married to Benjamin Arlt and is blessed with a daughter, Caroline.  They live north of Milbank on Prairie Drop Farm, raising pastured pork, poultry, beef, and lamb.

Jennifer Rehnke

OFFICE MANAGER

Jenn grew up in the Twin Cities and graduated from Minnetonka High School. Soon after high school, while attending a classical realism art school, she fell into a job at the Guthrie Theater box office. It was there she discovered her love for working with the public and gained the skills and compassion to excel in the field of customer service and office management. After nearly a decade at the Guthrie, she moved to Portland, OR, in an effort to stretch her wings and explore new frontiers. While in Portland, Jenn continued her work in front-of-house management as Audience Services Manager at Portland Center Stage, the largest theater in the city.

Jenn’s connection to Milbank goes all the way back to her great-grandparents—her grandfather and mother both graduated from Milbank High School. So, when it was time to try small-town life, Milbank seemed a natural place to choose. Once again, she packed up her things to start another new adventure with her significant other, Rollie. In her spare time, Jenn is also an artist, most known for her commissioned pet portraits. She enjoys learning new things, and nobody ever knows what her new project might be. Jenn is an amateur chef, a gardener, a mixologist, an artist, an organizer, and a coffee addict.

JAMIE J. MUNDWILER

SUPPORT STAFF

Jamie is the youngest daughter of Tim and Tana Mundwiler and is an invaluable member of our team. She is currently attending South Dakota State University with a political science and pre-mortuary studies focus.  She is an active member of State University Theatre and has performed in several productions.  In her spare time, she works for a funeral home in Brookings, SD.  Her future plans include mortuary school.

When Jamie is in Milbank, she assists with funerals, visitations, arrangements, and is our “gal Friday.” She produces most of the DVD memorial tributes, as she is blessed with great technical skills. Jamie also enjoys singing with her father at prayer services and funerals.

In her personal time, Jamie is an accomplished equestrian, claiming six World Champion titles and nine Reserve World titles with her Palominos, Pete and Toby.

ILETA HERBERG

RETIRED FUNERAL DIRECTOR/SUPPORT STAFF

Ileta joined the staff at Larson Funeral Home in 2007, as a Licensed Funeral Director.  Ileta retired in 2014 and continues to help out at the funeral home as needed.

Ileta resides in Clinton, where she grew up.

JIM FOSTER

RETIRED FUNERAL DIRECTOR/SUPPORT STAFF

As a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a Bachelor's Degree in Mortuary Science, Jim is now retired and helps out at the funeral home as needed.

Jim served as the Chief Financial Operator of Ortonville Area Health Services and Appleton Hospital and Nursing Home for 24 years. He worked in Funeral Service in the mid 1980's, and returned to his original career in 2013. Jim and his wife Neva are the proud parents of three children; Nathan, Adrienne, and Allison. They have nine grandchildren as well.

Jim and Neva have lived in Ortonville since 1978 where Jim has served on the City Council, Chamber of Commerce, and as an EMT and ambulance director. Jim and Neva are members of First English Lutheran Church.

Jim's hobbies include outdoor photography, biking, community theatre, pontooning, and motor home camping.

JERRY AND DARLENE JAEGER

SUPPORT STAFF

Jerry and Darlene are the parents of Tana Mundwiler. They provide tremendous support for Tim and Tana with their commitment to the family business. Jerry (and his dog, Katie) assist with non-local transports. Darlene assists with visitations, funerals, cleaning, and hospitality. They adore their six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Jerry and Darlene enjoy spending their winters in Texas and love their summers near Big Stone Lake.

ARMAND ASWEGE

SUPPORT STAFF

Armand very much enjoys his work and the rewards that working with families in their time of need bring to him.

Armand was born and raised on a grain and dairy farm. He graduated from West Central School of Agriculture in 1957. Following graduation, he joined the Army Reserve of which he served for six years. He continued to farm and dairy while he and his wife, Garnet, raised their two children, Troy and Tracy. In 1999 they moved to Graceville and at the present time, he is the Area Sales Representative for a Seed Company and Garnet works at Star Bank in Graceville.

Their son Troy and his wife, Brenda live in West Fargo and have three children - Katelyn, Nathan and Kristin. Tracy and her husband, Ron, live in Eden Prairie and have two boys - Frederick and Joseph. Armand and Garnet are members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Johnson, where Armand has served many years on the Church Council. In their free time they enjoy bowling and golf and spending time with family and friends.

JOE BERNING

SUPPORT STAFF

Having lived in the Big Stone County area his entire life, Joe recently retired from law enforcement after 33 years. He served as Deputy for Big Stone County for nineteen years, and served as County Sheriff for fourteen years.

Joe and his wife Debbie have two children - Jason and his wife Shelly of Wheaton and Jennifer and her husband Troy Cronen of Clinton. They also have four grandchildren - Reese and Tyce Cronen, and Drake and Grant Berning. In his personal time, Joe enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing and bowling.

MICHAEL DORRY

SUPPORT STAFF

Mike was born in Ortonville and graduated from Ortonville High School. Mike served in the United States Navy and is a Veteran of the Vietnam Conflict. He has been the Commander of the VFW Post 3964 for the past 18 years.

Mike retired from Otter Tail Power Company after thirty-six years of service. He has been on the Ortonville City Council for 20 years and is a member of St. John's Catholic Church.

Mike and his wife Diane have been married over fifty years. They have two daughters, Lisa and her husband, Allan Ross, and Sara and her husband, James Reinke. Mike and Diane have three granddaughters, Alisha, Emily and Taylor Ross.

In his personal time, Mike enjoys spending time with family (including his dog Koko), boating on Big Stone Lake, and hunting.

RICK SCHNECK

SUPPORT STAFF