Our Caring Staff

Jesse was born and raised in Faribault, MN, and graduated from the University of Minnesota’s Program of Mortuary Science. He began his career in funeral service in Faribault and worked at their sister chapels in Waseca and Janesville. Later, Jesse and his wife, Katie, moved to Hastings, where he worked at Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home until purchasing the business from Steve Smidt in the fall of 2016.

Since then, Jesse acquired the Wise Family Funeral & Cremation Service from Michael and Mary Wise, merging the two businesses and renaming it Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings. In January 2025, Jesse and Katie acquired Henry W. Anderson Mortuary in Apple Valley, continuing the Anderson Family’s tradition of compassionate care and providing excellent service to the Southeast Metro and beyond.

Jesse is married to Katie (Monahan) Starkson, and they have two children, Declan and Charlotte "Charli." In his free time, Jesse enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, hunting, and fishing. He is also actively involved with St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and School and participates in various community-focused groups.

Jesse is dedicated to upholding the legacy of care and service at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel while continuing to provide compassionate support to families in their time of need.

Katie was born and raised in Waseca, Minnesota, as the oldest of three children. She graduated from Waseca High School and went on to earn her degree from Concordia University-St. Paul.

Katie married Jesse Starkson in 2013, and together they have two children, Declan and Charlotte, who reside in rural Cannon Falls.

Katie enjoys savoring a good latte, traveling, attending community events, helping friends and family with design projects, and planning special events. She also loves taking drives in their Model A car and exploring new restaurants.

As a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Vermillion, Katie and Jesse actively volunteer their time and talents at both the church and St. John’s School. Katie is also deeply involved in the Hastings community, serving on the board of directors at TLC of Hastings.

Katie’s dedication to her family, community, and faith makes her an invaluable part of the Starkson Family team.

Aaron grew up in Webster, Wisconsin, and attended the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire before earning his degree from the University of Minnesota’s Program of Mortuary Science. He began his career in funeral service in Eau Claire, WI, before moving to Saint Paul, where he purchased Twin Cities Trade Service—a funeral home trade service that provides professional services for licensed funeral establishments.

Aaron is married to Caitlin (Ide) Stromberg, and together they have three daughters—Addison, Ava, and Reagan. In June 2024, their family moved to Prescott, Wisconsin, where they enjoy exploring the town and trying all the local restaurants.

In his free time, Aaron enjoys outdoor activities such as golfing and hunting, listening to a good audiobook, and spending time with family and friends. He is honored to serve the community with professionalism and care as part of the team at Starkson Family.

Caitlin grew up in Glencoe, Minnesota, and pursued her education at the College of Saint Benedict before earning her degree from the University of Minnesota’s Program of Mortuary Science. She began her career in funeral service in Altoona, WI, and later moved to Saint Paul to continue her work in the profession.

In 2012, Caitlin married her husband, Aaron Stromberg, and together they have three daughters—Addison, Ava, and Reagan. In June 2024, their family moved to Prescott, WI, where they enjoy exploring the town and trying all the local restaurants. They are also active members of Woodbury Lutheran Church - Valley Creek Campus.

In her free time, Caitlin enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to contemporary Christian music, playing her flute, swimming, and finding inspiration for new household projects on Pinterest. She is honored to serve families with compassion and care as part of the Starkson Family team. 

Alex grew up in Spirit Lake, IA, and attended Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, IA, before graduating from the University of Minnesota’s Program of Mortuary Science. He began his career in funeral service in Duluth, MN, and moved to the Twin Cities in 2018 to continue his work. In 2022, Alex received his California Funeral Director and Embalmer license and moved to Fresno, CA. After a couple of years, he decided to return to the Twin Cities area to be closer to family.

Outside of work, Alex is an avid runner, competing in several runDisney events at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA. He enjoys trying new restaurants in the area and exploring new trails. Alex is also an active member of the LGBTQIA+ community and advocates for mental health awareness.

Alex brings his passion for service, community, and care to his role at Starkson Family, where he is dedicated to providing compassionate support to the families he serves.

Brea grew up in New York Mills, MN, before moving to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota’s Program of Mortuary Science, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2012. She began her career in funeral service in Minneapolis and has been a dedicated funeral director at Henry W. Anderson Mortuary since 2015.

Brea and her husband, Travis, live in South Minneapolis and love exploring the city, discovering new restaurants and bars, and traveling together. She stays closely connected with her family in northern Minnesota and Georgia, making it a priority to visit them whenever she can.

Outside of work, Brea enjoys all things creative—drawing, painting, crafting, and designing unique handmade Halloween costumes. In the summer, she loves playing sand volleyball with her closest friends. She can never resist a vintage or thrift store, a fun activity at a brewery, or the perfect combination of a good book and a great cup of coffee.

Born and raised in Hastings, Michael Wise graduated from Hastings High School in 1990 before attending his first two years of college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He later transferred to the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with a BS degree in Mortuary Science in 1994. After graduation, Michael worked for a family-owned funeral home in Minneapolis/Edina, where he managed their Edina Chapel. It was here that he met his wife, Mary.

Michael and Mary married in 1998 and, in 2001, moved back to Hastings to own and operate the Wise Family Funeral Home & Crematory (formerly Ellis Wise Funeral Home). On August 17, 2018, Michael and Mary joined forces with Caturia, Smidt & Starkson Funeral Home, where the Starksons took ownership of the Wise Family Funeral Home, and Michael, Mary, and their staff became part of the team. Both couples are committed to a long-lasting, collaborative effort in serving the families of the Hastings community.

Michael has been deeply involved in the Hastings community, serving on various boards and in volunteer roles, including at Augustana Nursing Home, Park Ridge Communities, Knights of Columbus, and the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Cemetery Board. He has also served as past President of the United Way of Hastings, Oak Ridge Manor Board, Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Council. Michael currently serves as a member of the Regina Foundation Board of Directors.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time with his daughter, Grace, and son, Griffin. Family is his priority, and any opportunity to travel with them is cherished. Michael also enjoys staying active at Hastings CrossFit and loves golfing.

Michael is proud to continue serving the Hastings community with care, compassion, and dedication at Starkson Family.

Elise was raised in Richfield and Elysian, Minnesota, with an older brother, sister, and many foster siblings. From a very young age, she knew she was destined to be a funeral director, which she describes as God’s calling for her life. Elise graduated from the Academy of Holy Angels and went on to earn her degree from the University of Minnesota’s Program of Mortuary Science in 2014.

Throughout her career, Elise has worked in various roles within the funeral profession, including as a licensed funeral director, pre-planning specialist, and a specialist in creating personalized cemetery memorials for families. One of her proudest accomplishments has been creating a special memorial garden at New Ulm City Cemetery for families who have lost an infant, a cause that is very dear to her heart. Elise is honored to now partner with Halos of the St. Croix Valley to provide cemetery memorials for the families they serve.

In 2020, Elise married her husband, Craig Schumacher. Together, they are devoted parents to their two springerdoodles, Porter and Maggie Jo. In her free time, Elise enjoys spending time with Craig, fishing on the lake with their families, bird hunting, doing makeup artistry, attending college basketball games that Craig officiates, and volunteering with the special needs community.

Elise is passionate about providing meaningful support to families and is honored to serve them with care, compassion, and dedication at Starkson Family.

Steve was born and raised in Iowa as the oldest of four children. His interest in the funeral profession began at an early age, with first-hand exposure to the care funeral directors provide through a relative and part-time work at a funeral home during high school.

Steve graduated from the University of Minnesota Program of Mortuary Science with distinction in 1980. After working in funeral homes in Minneapolis and northern Minnesota, he joined Caturia Funeral Home in Hastings in 1981, where he worked alongside Bob Caturia for 16 years. In 1997, Steve purchased the business from Bob and continued running the funeral home as Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home until October 2016, when he sold it to Jesse Starkson and his wife, Katie.

Steve takes great pride in the over 75-year tradition of caring, family-owned service to the Hastings community, a hallmark of Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home since 1942. He is actively involved in the community and has served as past president of the Hastings Rotary Club, and is a board member of United Way of Hastings and Hastings Family Service.

Steve is married to Kim, a retired Hastings elementary school teacher, and together they have two adult children: Adam Smidt and Allison, who is married to Derek Preble. They also have three grandchildren: Brynnlee, Kylee, and Croix. Steve enjoys following the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, attending area car shows with his classic Camaro, and is an avid NASCAR fan.

Steve is proud to see Starkson Family continue the legacy of service to the Hastings community. He looks forward to continuing to work with the Starkson team on a part-time basis and is confident that Jesse, with the addition of the new facility, will continue the focus on family service that local families have come to expect.

Bob Caturia began his career working alongside his father, Clinton Caturia, the founder of our funeral home. A Hastings native, Bob graduated from Hastings High School in 1958 and went on to earn his degree from the University of Minnesota School of Mortuary Science in 1962. He took over ownership of Caturia Funeral Home in 1970, dedicating many years to serving families in the Hastings community with care and compassion.

In 1997, Bob sold the funeral home to Steve Smidt, and after a few more years in the profession, he retired to his lake home near Brainerd, MN. Bob and his wife, Gayle, then returned to Hastings to be closer to family, and he has rejoined Starkson Family on a part-time basis. His decades of experience and deep-rooted connection to the community continue to be a valued part of our team.

Dayna was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN, as the youngest of five siblings. After attending the College of St. Catherine's in St. Paul and later the University of Minnesota, she built a life in Minneapolis where she continues to reside with her husband, Sok, and their two children, Paige and Josh.

Outside of her work, Dayna enjoys staying active at the gym, exploring the city's beautiful lakes and parks, and discovering new coffee shops with her daughter. She also cherishes her time spent at her annual family reunion in Wisconsin, connecting with loved ones and creating lasting memories.

Dayna is passionate about her work, offering compassionate care to those in need, and brings a deep sense of community and dedication to everything she does.

Pat was born in Minnesota and spent her childhood between Minnesota and Illinois alongside her younger brother and sister. She was married to her late husband, Bob, for 31 wonderful years before his passing from cancer. Together, they raised four sons and were blessed with two grandsons.

Family has always been at the heart of Pat’s life, and she cherishes the memories of weekends and vacations spent camping and traveling across the United States. In her spare time, she enjoys relaxing at the lake, fishing, gardening, playing bingo, reading a good book, and spending time with family and friends.

Pat brings warmth, compassion, and a deep sense of community to her role at Starkson Family, where she is honored to support families during their most difficult times.

Jeanie grew up in Chaska, Minnesota, as one of six siblings in a close-knit family that ran a business. This experience instilled in her the value of hard work and the importance of teamwork. She graduated from Chaska Senior High before furthering her education at Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie and later attending a Bible Training Center in Oklahoma.

In 1981, Jeanie married Mike Schuler, and in 1985, they moved to Hastings, where they raised three daughters, gained three wonderful sons-in-law, and are now blessed with seven grandchildren.

Jeanie has a passion for flower gardening, tackling small woodworking projects, and spending time by a lake—especially the serene waters of Minnesota's North Shore. Above all, her favorite moments are spent with her family, particularly her grandkids. Of all the names she’s been called over the years, the one she cherishes the most is "Grandma"—or "Gma," as her grandkids lovingly call her. Jeanie is proud to bring her caring nature and commitment to community to her role at Starkson Family.

Sarah is a proud Hastings native and a graduate of the University of St. Thomas. With nearly 20 years of experience in church marketing, communications, events, and outreach, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for connecting with people to the Starkson Family team.

In her personal life, Sarah and her husband Doug recently moved to Red Wing, where they are excited to explore their new town, enjoy boating on the river, make music, and host lively dinner parties with friends, family, and their four grown children.

Sarah’s background in community engagement and her enthusiasm for building relationships make her an invaluable addition to the team, and she looks forward to continuing to serve families with care and dedication.

Mike recently retired after a 40-year career in community banking throughout the Twin Cities. With deep roots in the area, he takes pride in the fact that his three children are graduates of Rosemount High School.

Now, in retirement, Mike enjoys spending quality time with his grandchildren and lending a helping hand at the Apple Valley chapel. He finds fulfillment in supporting families with care and compassion during their time of need.

Paul was born and raised in Minneapolis, where he graduated from Roosevelt High School before earning a two-year degree from St. Paul Community College. For over 40 years, he owned and operated a machine shop alongside his brother before retiring.

Now living in Lakeville with his wife, Susan, Paul enjoys exploring the many walking paths in their neighborhood. Together, they have two grown children and two grandchildren, with whom they cherish spending as much time as possible. When he’s not with family, Paul takes great care of his 1962 Volkswagen Bug, which makes occasional appearances from the garage.

Paul is honored to serve families with compassion and care, offering support during their time of need.

Kate is a lifelong Hastings area resident and a proud graduate of Hastings High School. She grew up on a dairy farm near Miesville alongside her six older brothers and one sister. Today, she and her husband, Greg, reside on a farm in Vermillion, where they enjoy country life.

Kate has four married daughters, each living in a different state, and she cherishes time spent with her three grandchildren. She is actively involved with St. John Church and School in Vermillion and finds joy in baking, sewing, photography, line dancing, and caring for her chickens.

Above all, Kate treasures time with her family—especially her grandkids. She is honored to be part of the Starkson Family team, offering kindness and support to families in the community.

A native of Hastings, Lynn Reuter Schoen earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Anthropology and Sociology from Eastern Oregon College. Much of her career has been dedicated to nonprofit work, driven by a passion for serving others. She also spent over 20 years helping manage her ex-husband’s dental office while actively engaging in community service.

Lynn raised a blended family of six children—five of whom are boys—embracing the joys and challenges of “yours, mine, and ours.” Her dedication to public service led her to serve on the Wabasha City Council and even run for state representative.

Feeling called to the funeral profession, Lynn finds great purpose in supporting families during life’s most difficult moments. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, playing cards and games, watching professional sports, and spending time with her grandkids. She also loves traveling and making memories with her partner, Mike.

Cheryl Borgstrom-Klesel was born and raised in North St. Paul, graduating from North High School in 1984. She spent 35 years working in the medical field, dedicating her career to caring for others. In 2001, she married Mike, and together they created a loving blended family with five children and 14 grandchildren—one of whom Mike and Cheryl adopted. After losing Mike in 2020, Cheryl found strength in her work and the opportunity to support others in times of need.

Seven years ago, she transitioned into funeral service, where she discovered her true calling. Cheryl has loved every moment of helping families navigate difficult times with compassion and care, bringing the same dedication and empathy from her years in the medical profession to her work in funeral service.

Outside of work, Cheryl enjoys riding motorcycles, fishing, and traveling. She is also deeply involved in her grandson’s life and activities, cherishing every moment spent with family.