Meet Our Caring Team

Alex was raised in Spirit Lake, Iowa, where he graduated from Spirit Lake High School. He continued his education at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa, earning his Associate Degree, before attending the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mortuary Science in 2016.

Since beginning his career in funeral service, Alex has remained committed to serving families with compassion, dignity, and respect. He believes every individual and family deserves to be cared for with sincerity and understanding, regardless of their circumstances, traditions, or beliefs. In his leadership role, Alex is equally passionate about supporting and developing his team and creating an environment where families feel genuinely cared for and every person is treated with dignity.

Outside of funeral service, Alex enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending time with his partner, Charlie, and their pets. An avid Disney fan, Alex especially enjoys visiting the Disney Parks and has combined his love of Disney and fitness by participating in several runDisney races. The Haunted Mansion remains one of his favorite Disney attractions.

Jade Petznick was born and raised in Northwood, Iowa. He attended North Iowa Area Community College and later Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. In 1992, he graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and worked for funeral homes in Cincinnati and Mason City, Iowa. Jade has been living in Pelican Rapids and serving the community at Larson Funeral Home since 1994.

In 1998, Jade married Lisa Haugrud, and they have three sons: Matt, Logan, and Brady. The family resides on Tamarac Lake near Pelican Rapids. Jade enjoys spending time golfing, snowmobiling, and playing pinball. He especially enjoys spending time with his sons, doing outdoor activities.

Sawyer Steidler is a licensed funeral director and embalmer with nearly a decade of experience serving families throughout the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. Originally from the Quad Cities, Sawyer grew up in Iowa before moving to Minnesota in 2005. He graduated from Minnewaska Area High School in 2012 and later attended the Mortuary Science program at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois.

Sawyer approaches each family with one question in mind: “How can we make this service reflect the unique life, personality, and story of the person being remembered?” He enjoys finding personal and meaningful ways to make each farewell special.

Sawyer lives in Wadena with his younger brother, Laken, and their three cats, Atticus, Pangea, and Natty Gann. Outside of work, he enjoys photography, playing guitar and piano, golfing, and weekly Saturday fight nights with his younger brothers, Laken and Charley. He is also an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Manchester United F.C., Minnesota Vikings, and the UFC.

Harlow was raised outside of Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from St. Pius X Catholic High School. She attended the University of Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science in June 2026. During her studies, Harlow worked at numerous funeral homes throughout the Twin Cities area and served as Vice President of Chapter Relations for Alpha Chi Omega. She is excited to serve the Detroit Lakes community as a Funeral Director Intern with Larson Funeral and Cremation Service. 

Harlow enjoys spending time with family and friends across the country and with her two rambunctious cats, Squeak and Bug. In her free time, she plays the guitar, enjoys baking and crafting, and takes advantage of the outdoors through hiking, swimming, and horseback riding.

Julie Kugler was born in Detroit Lakes and grew up around the Franklin Lake area. She went to school in Pelican Rapids. Julie and her husband, Mike, have two children and four grandchildren.  She started working at Larson Funeral Home in February 2016 and also works as a beautician at Pelican Valley Health Center. Julie enjoys spending special time with her grandchildren, camping, going to craft shows, scrapbooking, and being with her family.

Denise was raised in rural Frazee and graduated from Frazee High School. After living in the Minneapolis area for three years, she moved back to the Frazee area and began a career in banking that extended over thirty-five years. Denise was VP of Mortgage Lending at a bank in Detroit Lakes prior to serving with Young Life Castaway Club on Pelican Lake for the last couple of years. She then took an early retirement.

Denise enjoys being active in area communities. Currently, she is involved with TeacHaiti, a non-profit organization providing education for children in Haiti; volunteers with the local Young Life organization; and serves at Lakes Area Vineyard Church. Denise’s heart is at home enjoying time with family. Denise loves working with people and is honored to serve others as an Advance Funeral Planner.

Milo D. Larson was born and raised in Alexandria, Minnesota. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and later attended the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with a degree in mortuary science. He worked with Ivers Funeral Home in Fargo, North Dakota, and partnered with Paul Korsmo at Korsmo Funeral Service in Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1963. Milo and his wife, Marjorie, purchased Johnson Funeral Home in Pelican Rapids in 1970, which he owned and operated until 1995. Milo continues to be active at Larson Funeral Home on a part-time basis. He now enjoys fishing, boating, golfing, and caring for his flowers and lawn at their home on Lake Lizzie. The couple spends their winters in Florida where Milo enjoys golfing, boating in the Gulf, and playing tennis. Milo was an active member of the Rotary Club in Pelican Rapids for many years and the American Legion for 52 years; he is also a member of the Fergus Falls Elks Club and the Detroit Lakes Eagles Club. He and Marjorie are members of Faith Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids.

Marjorie Larson was born in Iowa and raised on a farm near Litchville, North Dakota. She attended Interstate Business College in Fargo. She married Milo Larson in Fargo, and they lived in Moorhead until 1970 when they moved to Pelican Rapids, MN. She became an active partner with her husband after her children reached school age. She and Milo have three children and three grandchildren. They spend their winters in Florida where she enjoys playing tennis and shelling. She continues to help at Larson Funeral Home during the summer months.

Mary was born and raised in southeast North Dakota and graduated from NDSU. She lived in Williston, ND, for six years before moving to Fargo in 1977, where she raised her three sons. Mary moved to Dunvilla on Lake Lizzie in 1997. She has four granddaughters who love spending time at the lake.

In 2013, Mary retired from Concordia College, after 27 years in the Advancement Office. She joined the staff at Larson Funeral Home in 2015. Mary is an active member of Zion Lutheran Church on Franklin Lake.

As a Crematory Operator, Transfer Care Specialist, and Funeral Attendant, Nichole supports funeral home teams across a regional network, sharing resources and expertise wherever needed.

Nichole began her funeral service career in 2024 in Opelika, Alabama, where she helped open a funeral home and designed its children’s room, combining her funeral service experience with her degree in interior decorating.

Her interest in death care took root in childhood, after a personal loss led her to see how the funeral experience could be done better. Today, she's especially passionate about compassionate care, death education, and meaningful memorialization.

Outside of work, Nichole enjoys spending time with family, goofing off with her daughter Violet, playing fetch with her dog Theodore, kayaking, live music, antiquing, and collecting curiosities.

Gloria grew up in West Fargo, ND, and graduated from NDSU. She raised two sons and has one granddaughter and one great granddaughter.  Gloria and her husband, Dave, moved to Lake Ida permanently in 1998. Gloria worked in medical sales and at Sanford Health, retiring in 2014. She enjoys walking and hiking, reading, flower gardening, and having coffee with her friends. Gloria attends Lake Eunice Evangelical Free Church.