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.

susan@schoenebergerfh.com

Susan grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota, and graduated from Rapid City Central High School in 2003. She and her family have called Minnesota home since 2013. In 2017, Susan graduated from Anoka-Ramsey Community College with her Associate of Science degree with an emphasis in psychology. She graduated with a degree in mortuary science from Des Moines Area Community College in the fall of 2020.

Susan’s path in funeral service began while she was in high school, and she quickly discovered it would be her future career choice. She has worked in funeral service in various capacities since then. Being able to help people through some of their toughest times is very important to Susan.

Susan and her husband, Casey, reside in Perham with their two children, Gabe and Amelia. They enjoy gardening, riding bikes, going to antique stores, and spending time outdoors. Susan and her family are also avid Lego collectors and enjoy building as a family.

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 Schoeneberger Funeral & 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.

Originally from Madison, MN, Chad has lived in Little Falls and worked in the car business for over 25 years. He spent 10 years working in the sales department at Brandl Motors and then 13 years as Finance Manager there. Chad’s wife, Amber, is a daycare provider. They have three children named Austin, Aubrey, and Aleca, and a Pomeranian named King. In his spare time, Chad enjoys playing golf and darts, and he is also an avid hunter and fisher. 

After a personal experience arranging a funeral for a loved one, Chad recognized the immense value of planning ahead. He is honored to help individuals and families put plans in place so that it is not left for loved ones to worry about when the time comes. 

Michelle grew up on a dairy farm near Dent. She graduated from Perham High School in 2009 and earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2015.

Michelle loves to spend time with her husband, their Goldendoodle Scottie and her family; especially while working on the farm together.

Mary is originally from Badger, Minnesota. She completed course studies for Professional Sales from Detroit Lakes Technical Institute and was also a private pilot. Mary taught piano for over thirty years, seventeen of which were spent at Lake Park/Audubon High School and Elementary. In addition, she helped the Price family at Price’s Fine Jewelry.

In 1989, Mary married Joe. They have two sons and two daughters: Eric, Kjerstin, John, and Sarah, who are each married to spouses that Mary and Joe absolutely love. Mary and Joe are grandparents and enjoy looking at life through the eyes of a child again.

Mary is a worship leader at Lakes Area Vineyard Church, where she and Joe are also Marriage Mentors and small group leaders. Over the years, Mary has led women's ministry, vacation Bible school, and children's ministry, and she has provided music and food for many funerals. 

Mary previously served on the Curriculum Board and the PBIS Board at Lake Park/Audubon Schools. She is in the EAA Aviation Chapter 1498 in Detroit Lakes, where they provide a Fly In that helps support local youth scholarships in aviation. In addition to music and aviation, Mary’s hobbies include baking and learning about health and wellness.

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.

Linda grew up in the Twin Cities and graduated from St. Anthony Village High School in 1970. She raised her two sons and daughter in Connecticut. Linda returned to Minnesota and found her way to Vergas, where she began working at Perham Health as a housekeeper in 1991. The healthcare field was her passion, and in 1995, she graduated from Northwest Technical College, Detroit Lakes, as an LPN. Between 2003-2012, her needs changed, and she worked as a Patient Care nurse at Lakeland Hospice in Fergus Falls. She then moved to Perham and returned to Perham Health, working in the Transitions Unit until retiring in 2019. Linda has always had the desire to make a difference. Helping others work through the grieving process is difficult, but she is honored to perhaps help with a small part of the experience for those they serve. 

In her spare time, Linda has been involved with Lions Clubs International since 2001, is a member of the Ottertail Lions Club, and is an associate member of the Perham Area Community Lions Club. She has been a member of the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Department Posse since 2011. Linda has eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and she enjoys activities with the kids whenever possible.

Richard was born and raised in the Perham, MN, area and graduated from Perham High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in photographic engineering from St. Cloud State University. After twenty years of working in the photofinishing industry, he transitioned into HVAC and appliance repair. He operated his own business for twenty years, retired, and returned to Perham in 2020.

In his spare time, Richard enjoys fishing, gardening, hunting, and photography. He and his wife, Jill, like to travel, visit friends, and spend time on their property around Devils Lake.

Jill was born and raised in the Willmar, MN, area and graduated from Willmar High School. She then pursued an occupational therapy degree, graduating from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree and later earning a master’s degree as well. After working in various mental health settings for over 30 years, she moved to a lake near Perham with her husband, Rich, in 2020.

In her spare time, Jill enjoys reading, baking, flower gardening, and participating in church activities. She also enjoys traveling with her husband to visit friends and family and spending time at the lake.  

Sue Theisen was born and raised in the Bluffton/Wadena area. She moved to Perham in 2022 to be closer to her two children and five grandchildren. 

In 2019, Sue retired from Wadena County Human Services. For 17 years, she worked as an eligibility worker, assisting clients at low points in their lives. Prior to Wadena County, Sue worked at Homecrest in Wadena for 15 years.

Sue’s summers are busy attending her grandsons’ baseball games. She enjoys walking, reading, watching true crime shows, and helping at her church in Bluffton.

Erin Swyter grew up in Perham and graduated from Perham High School in 2003. She earned a bachelor’s degree in radiologic sciences from North Dakota State University in 2008.

Erin spent over a decade working in healthcare as a radiologic technologist and imaging supervisor, supporting patients and families with compassion and care. She currently serves as an Advanced Director with Pampered Chef, where she continues her passion for serving others through leadership and making meaningful connections.

As a lifelong sixth-generation Perham resident, Erin and her husband are raising their three children along with their dog, Ranger. In her free time, Erin enjoys photography, watching her kids’ sports, and singing in church and in a local band she has been part of for fifteen years. Erin is honored to serve families in her community with respect and thoughtfulness during life’s most meaningful moments.