Meet Our Staff

Chris Remely
Owner & Funeral Director

Chris Remely , Owner & Funeral Director

Chris grew up in Bozeman, graduating from Bozeman Senior High School in 1987 and from Montana State University with a Business Finance Degree in 1992. He attended mortuary school at the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in February of 1995, and has been with Dokken-Nelson since that time. Chris and his wife, Monica, purchased Dokken-Nelson in September of 2007. Chris has served many years on the MSU Bobcat Club Board and on the Athletic Advisory Board, and is currently serving on the Bozeman Deaconess Foundation Board. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Montana Funeral Directors Association, the Noon Rotary Club, and Grace Bible Church where he serves on the Deacon board. Chris and Monica have two daughters, Taylor and Ashley. When he is not working Chris enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and attending MSU sporting events.

T.J. Goodwin
Funeral Director

T.J. Goodwin , Funeral Director

T.J. and his wife, De, moved to Bozeman in the summer of 2007, when he joined the Dokken-Nelson family. T.J. graduated from Billings Skyview High School, and attended Mount Hood Community College in Oregon for mortuary science. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and serves as a District Governor for the Montana Funeral Director's Association. In his free time, T.J. likes to spend time with his family, go to concerts, work on his model railroad, and listen to music.

Stephanie Peterson
Funeral Director

Stephanie Peterson , Funeral Director

Stephanie was raised in Pocatello, Idaho before moving to Bozeman in 2001 to attend Montana State University.  In 2008, she enrolled at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, earning her Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Directing/Embalming and graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2010.  She is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and Montana Funeral Directors Association.  In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys dancing and music, and is a committe member for the IndepenDANCE Community Dance Project.  She also enjoys spending time with her husband, James, especially hiking, camping, and shooting.

Rachelle Morton
Funeral Director

Rachelle Morton , Funeral Director

Rachelle is a Montana native who grew up in Roundup. Rachelle holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Montana State University and an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service from Mount Hood Community College. She has several years of experience in all aspects of the funeral service industry, and is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Montana Funeral Directors Association. Rachelle enjoys spending time with family, volunteering, entertaining, dancing, reading, and being outdoors.

James (Jim) R. Mitchell
Funeral Director

James (Jim) R. Mitchell , Funeral Director

Jim was born, raised, and educated in Nebraska, graduating from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He served his country in the United States Army, and upon his discharge moved to Hardin, Montana. In Hardin he was affiliated with the Bullis Mortuary from 1960 until 1973 when he became a partner at Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service in Bozeman with Howard Nelson and Rexal Troth. Jim and his wife, Bernie, became sole owners of the firm in 1986. His involvement in the community and profession include: long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church; The Bozeman Symphony Society; the board of trustees for the Bozeman School District; the Montana State University Athletic Scholarship Association; the QK Club (Quest for Knowledge); the Bozeman Lions Club; and a long-time member of the National Funeral Directors Association and also the Montana Funeral Directors Association where he served as President in 1982. Jim was presented with the "Celebrations of Service" Award by the MFDA for 45 years of service to the funeral profession—an award only a handful of funeral directors ever receive.

Marilyn (Niebel) Carter
Office Manager

Marilyn (Niebel) Carter , Office Manager

Marilyn is a native of Bozeman. She and her husband of more than fifty years have three married daughters and four grandsons. She has been on staff with Dokken-Nelson since 1995. Prior to that she served as a secretary for her church for fifteen years. She is presently the Financial Secretary and Organist for Grand Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where she has been a life-time member.

Roy Linn
Funeral Director Assistant

Roy Linn , Funeral Director Assistant

Roy is an educator by education and training with experience as a high school teacher, school superintendent, and 30 years at Montana State University with the Montana Extension Service as a safety specialist of home and farm machinery. Roy retired June 30, 1995, only to work part-time for the MSU entomology department working with farmers and ranchers to maintain their private pesticide licenses. Upon leaving that department, Roy was asked by Jim Mitchell if he'd drive the funeral coach for a funeral one day, and has been part-time with Dokken-Nelson ever since. Roy enjoys working with people, and he gets that opportunity working at the funeral home. In his spare time he gets a lot of relaxation and enjoyment by refinishing old furniture in his woodshop.

Cyndi Lockart
Funeral Director Assistant

Cyndi Lockart , Funeral Director Assistant

Cyndi grew up in Gallatin Gateway and graduated from Bozeman Senior High School in 1978. She has worked part-time for Dokken-Nelson as a Funeral Director Assistant since 2004. She has been a volunteer at the Bozeman Help Center on the crisis line. In her off time, Cyndi enjoys going to the movies and traveling.

Larry Biladeau
Funeral Director Assistant

Larry Biladeau , Funeral Director Assistant

Larry grew up in Bozeman and graduated from Bozeman Senior High School in 1966. He has worked part-time for Dokken-Nelson as a Funeral Director Assistant since 2009. He volunteers at his church, LOVE INC, and SCORE. When he has time he likes to go camping with his family.

Paul Ruhl
Funeral Director Assistant

Paul Ruhl , Funeral Director Assistant

Paul was born in China as his parents were missionaries with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He spent his first two years there, and the next 13 years in the Philippines. Since moving to Bozeman, Paul spent 12 years as a customer service agent with Delta Air Lines and has been part-time with Dokken-Nelson since the summer of 2010. Playing golf if the temperature is above 50 degrees is his favorite pastime.