Staff

At Pedersen and Starbuck Funeral Homes, we are honored to have earned the trust and confidence placed in us by those that we serve. We pledge to offer respectful and dignified professional service, service that a family should expect, service that a family deserves. From the time the first phone call is received, throughout the service and beyond, each staff member at our funeral home contributes in an important way. We are very proud of our staff of caregivers who have been recognized nationally for their excellence in funeral service.

 Jay Dietz

Licensed Funeral Director / Manager

Originally from Oakes, North Dakota, Jay graduated from Oakes High School and attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Jay graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jay has served as manager and funeral director at Pedersen Funeral Home since November 1995. 

Jay and his wife Chandel and their four children live in Morris.  They are active members of the community through their involvement in Assumption Church, the Morris Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Early Childhood Family Education program, St. Mary’s School and a variety of committees and boards that they have both served on. 

 Shane Decker

Licensed Funeral Director

A native of Milnor, ND, Shane graduated from Milnor High School in 1992. He attended Mayville State University, at Mayville, ND, before graduating from Cinncinati College of Mortuary Science in Cinncinati, OH. Shane served as a funeral director in ND for over 12 years, before taking a sales position in the funeral industry. 

Shane joined Pedersen Funeral Home in November of 2010. Shane holds funeral director's licenses in MN, ND and SD and also holds an insurance license in MN and ND. 

He and his wife Deb make their home in Morris with their children Riley Liv, and Durgin.

  Lois Peterson

Pre-Arrangement Specialist

Lois is a long-time resident of Morris, where she and husband, Dale, have owned and operated the Dale Peterson Insurance and Real Estate business. Along with their own agency, Lois also worked as the area’s AAL representative from 1995 to 1999. 

Lois joined Pedersen Funeral Home to work in the areas of preplanning and aftercare in May of 2001. She feels that the best part of her job is the opportunity to meet with really neat people and listen to them share their life stories.

 Colleen Neal

Office Manager

Originally from Beardsley, Minnesota, Colleen graduated from Beardsley High School in 1977 and from Alexandria Vocational Technical College in 1978. Colleen joined the staff of Pedersen Funeral Home as office manager in November 1999. Along with her office responsibilities, she also works as a visitation and funeral assistant.

Colleen and husband, Jim, live on a farm near Alberta, MN. She has one son and four step-children. She is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Alberta, and enjoys reading, going for walks and spending time with her family and friends.

 Kristen Odden

Funeral Director Intern 

Kristen is originally from Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb of St. Paul. She graduated from Woodbury Senior High School in 2007 and from the University of Minnesota in May of 2011. She has a bachelor of science with a major of mortuary science. 

Kristen joined the staff at Pedersen - Starbuck Funeral Homes in June 2011. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys backpacking, hiking, and running. 

Kristen is honored to be able to work with area families during their time of greatest need, and feels blessed to be called to work in funeral service.

 Rose Murphy

Aftercare Coordinator

Born and raised in the Morris area, Rose graduated from Morris High School and Alexandria Technical College. Rose joined the staff of Pedersen Funeral Home in February 2003 as a visitation assistant. 

Serving families at the funeral home, along with personal experience with death and grief, spurred an interest in further study leading to completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Grief Studies from the University of Minnesota, Morris in 2010. Rose has a keen interest in serving as a resource for individuals and families as they journey through grief following the death of a loved one. She will provide those grieving with an opportunity to talk about loved ones, suggest additional sources of support, and serve as a link to the funeral home for additional needs people may have following the death of a loved one. 

Rose and her husband, Dan, reside in Morris and have two adult children. Rose is also employed at the University of Minnesota, Morris and is a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. 

 John Anderson

Funeral Assistant

John and his wife Marty are longtime residents of Morris, where John taught Junior High Science at Morris Area High School for over 25 years. They have five children and several grandchildren. John joined the staff of Pedersen Funeral Home in July 1992. John and his wife have been active members of Assumption Catholic Church in Morris since coming to town, and he currently serves on the Calvary Cemetery Board. Some of John’s hobbies include gardening, bird watching, fishing and playing cards.

 Steve Hokanson

Funeral Assistant

Born and raised in Morris, Steve graduated from Morris High School in 1965. Steve worked for United Parcel Service in Morris from 1969 to until his retirement in 1999. Steve joined the staff of Pedersen Funeral Home in October 1999. Steve also runs his own lawn care service in the Morris area. Steve and his wife Randee have three grown children. Steve is a life-long member of First Lutheran Church in Morris, and in his personal time, enjoys gardening and woodworking.

 Jere Solvie

Funeral Assistant

Born and raised near Cyrus, Minnesota, Jere graduated from Cyrus High School. Jere and his wife Paulette live and farm in the Cyrus area, and they have two children and one grandchild. Jere joined the staff of Pedersen Funeral Home in July 2003. Jere is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cyrus, where he is very active in the church choir.

 Lauris Johnshoy

Funeral Assistant

Born and raised near Starbuck, Lauris graduated from Starbuck High School. Lauris joined the staff of Starbuck Funeral Home in April, 2001. He is a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church near Starbuck. Lauris’ hobbies include farming and traveling.

 Sharon Johnshoy

Visitation Assistant

Sharon joined the staff of Starbuck Funeral Home in April, 2001

 Shane Jones

Funeral Assistant

Born and raised in Morris, Shane graduated from Morris Area High School. Shane and his wife Ruth owned and operated the Amoco Station in Morris for several years. Since that time, Shane has been employed by Superior Industries in Morris. Shane joined the staff of Pedersen Funeral Home in April 2000. Shane and Ruth have four children and are members of the Apostolic Christian Church near Morris.