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.

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, and they enjoy riding horse-back 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.

Bruce Nilson was born and raised in Alcester, South Dakota where his grandfather and father owned and operated the Nilson Funeral Home. After serving in the Korean War, Mr. Nilson graduated from the University of Minnesota’s Mortuary Science Program. In 1961, Bruce purchased the Nilson Funeral Home, formerly the Gerhards Funeral Home, in Fergus Falls, with chapels in Battle Lake, Ashby and Evansville.

In 1995, Mr. Nilson partnered with Glende-Johnson-Nelson Funeral Home. He now enjoys being an active part of funeral service, while still having the opportunity to hunt and fish and spend time with his three children and seven grandchildren. Bruce is a member of First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, a member of the VFW in Fergus Falls and of the Ashby American Legion.

Matt grew up in Appleton, Minnesota. After graduating from 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 becoming 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 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. 

Colette began serving families as the Aftercare Coordinator in 2017. Her unique perspective stems from being married to a funeral director, which opened her eyes to the needs of families and loved ones after a death occurred and their lives were forever changed. Colette’s own experience with grief and loss elevated her passion to serve and support others, and her work with CHI Health at Home and Hospice as a Spiritual Caregiver has given her insight into the journey of end-of-life care.  

Colette and her late husband, Jason raised their five children near Wyndmere, ND.   She has an adventuresome spirit that is nurtured with connection; she spends time with family and friends engaging in life! She is an active member of her church and a charter member of the Headwaters Lions Club. Colette is committed to community through various volunteer opportunities.

Having had Glende-Nilson Funeral Homes serve her family for decades, Karen Holte joined the staff as office manager in March of 2010. She brings with her years of experience in the business sector as well as an associate business degree from Minnesota State Community and Technical College.

Originally from Evansville, Karen and her husband David have lived on a grain and livestock farm near Wendell since 1993. They have two grown sons, Kyle and Kerby.

During her personal time, Karen enjoys driving motorcycle, quilting, family gatherings and volunteering.

Karen is an active member of the Rock Prairie Church, rural Wendell, and Quilts of Valor. She also finds time to volunteer at Lakeland Hospice.

Brad Herzberg was born and raised in the lakes country. Although he worked as a professional surveyor for most of his career, Brad has always taken an interest in serving others.  Brad joined the staff of Glende-Nilson Funeral Homes in August of 2018 as a Certified Crematory Operator and Funeral Assistant. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors, running, biking, camping, fishing, and hunting. Brad is a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls. He is engaged to his fiancée Stephanie and has two daughters.