Meet Our Staff

At Dokken-Nelson we are a team. Our staff of skilled and talented people are what make Dokken-Nelson exceptional—providing the hands that do the work, embodying the integrity of the company, and focusing continuously on achieving client-family satisfaction. Each person is committed to going above and beyond what is just acceptable to ensure that your experience is as comforting and meaningful as possible.

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Chris Remely Owner & Funeral Director
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Stephanie Peterson Funeral Director
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Bailey Krause Funeral Director
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Jacob Krause Funeral Director
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Luke Foreman Funeral Director
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Shanna Hamilton Administrative Assistant
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Cyndi Lockart Funeral Director Assistant
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Larry Biladeau Funeral Director Assistant
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Mimi Biladeau Funeral Director Assistant
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Pat Lorang Funeral Director Assistant
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Alice Van Dyke Funeral Director Assistant
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Rob Petroff Funeral Director Assistant
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Eric Fendler Funeral Director Assistant
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Aidan Lewis Funeral Director Assistant
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Lora Holmes Funeral Director Assistant
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April Rhodes Staff Assistant

Chris Remely

Owner & Funeral Director
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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 served many years on the MSU Bobcat Club Board and on the Athletic Advisory Board, the Bozeman Deaconess Foundation Board, and the Grace Bible Church Deacon Board. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Montana Funeral Directors Association, and Grace Bible Church. 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.

Stephanie Peterson

Funeral Director
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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 Director's Association and Southwest District Governor for the Montana Funeral Director's Association.  In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys dancing and music, and is Executive Director of IndepenDANCE Community Dance Project.  She also enjoys spending time with her husband, James, and their dog, especially hiking, camping, and traveling.

Bailey Krause

Funeral Director
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Bailey was born and raised in Wisconsin. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science with a minor in Religious Studies in 2020 from the University of Minnesota. From 2019-2020, Bailey served as the President of the Mortuary Science Student Association, and she co-chaired the Anatomy Bequest Service of Gratitude. Bailey volunteered at Crescent Cove Children’s Hospice and Respite Home in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, while earning her degree. In her down time Bailey enjoys the outdoors, which made moving to Montana a great fit.

 

Jacob Krause

Funeral Director
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Jacob grew up in Milwaukee and is a licensed Funeral Director through the Mortuary Science Program at Milwaukee Area Technical College. A graduate of Montana State University, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Accounting with a minor in Small Business Management. When Jacob left Bozeman after graduation he knew he would return some day. Joining Team Dokken-Nelson was the perfect opportunity. And his love of all things outdoors made it an easy decision to head west.

Luke Foreman

Funeral Director
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Luke is a Bozeman native, graduating from Manhattan Christian High School in 2013 before moving to downtown Chicago where he received his bachelor's degree in Pastoral Studies from Moody Bible Institute. He also attended the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and received a degree in mortuary science and is now a licensed funeral director. Luke is passionate about providing care and service to families during one of the most difficult seasons of life, the loss of a loved one. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his amazing wife, Tatjana, rock climbing, hiking, camping, fishing, and drinking coffee.

Shanna Hamilton

Administrative Assistant
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Shanna was born and raised in Billings, MT--a 2nd generation graduate from Billings Senior High in 1987. Shanna moved to Bozeman in 2014 with her husband, Cory, and two girls, Braelyn & Kennadi, after he finished his military career. She loves to spend time with her family outdoors hiking, BBQing, walking the dog, or skiing. She also loves to take road trips exploring palces off the beaten path. Before joining the Dokken-Nelson team, she spent her career in retail sales management.

Cyndi Lockart

Funeral Director Assistant
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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
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Larry grew up in Bozeman and graduated from Bozeman High in 1966. His time at MSU was cut short by a four-year stint in the Navy. He then spent 35 years working for Valley Motor Supply (CARQUEST) in four different locations before retiring. In 2006 he purchased a business brokerage franchise and sold it in 2015. He began working at Dokken-Nelson in 2008 and really enjoys helping families.

Mimi Biladeau

Funeral Director Assistant
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Mimi was born in North Dakota and graduated from Velva High School in 1968. She is married to Larry and they have two children, Kenneth (Kim) and LaNae (Rich), and two grandsons, Kaleb and Nathan. Most of Mimi's career was been in customer service, working with Larry in auto parts for more than 20 yrs, six years as a college science lab assistant in Wyoming, and she also managed a guest ranch in WY. After retiring they lived full time in an RV and traveled—volunteering at Christian facilities throughout the US and Canada. Mimi enjoys sewing and quilting, and she loves remodeling projects.

Pat Lorang

Funeral Director Assistant
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Pat is a Montana native, raised on a ranch south of Great Falls.  She earned a BS degree with honors from MSU and her first career was a high school science teacher and speech/debate coach.  Her family of 3 adult children, 7 adorable grandkids and a special niece and nephew bring constant joy.  In addition to entertaining friends, Pat enjoys traveling, Bobcat sports, and being outdoors in any summer activity the valley provides.

Alice Van Dyke

Funeral Director Assistant
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Alice was born in Missoula and grew up on what is now the Wheat Montana farm in Three Forks. She and her husband are 2nd generation cattle ranchers in the Gallatin Valley. She enjoys traveling, especially to any beach. She also enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, and serves as a board member of the state motocross association. 

Rob Petroff

Funeral Director Assistant
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Robert (Rob) was born and raised in Bozeman, Montana. Growing up he played numerous sports, enjoyed snowboarding the mountains of Montana, and fishing—while also becoming a race car driver at the age of 16, which he still continues to do. He is a proud father, and an up-and-coming businessman. Rob has been with Dokken-Nelson since the beginning of 2021 and plans to continue his role here for years to come.

Eric Fendler

Funeral Director Assistant
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Eric moved to Montana in 1977, and married his wife, Marsha, in 1978. All six of their children were born in Montana—and they are blessed with twelve grandchildren they enjoy spending time with. He was a master plumber in the valley for over 40 years, retiring recently. Eric enjoys doing volunteer work and playing the bagpipes.

Aidan Lewis

Funeral Director Assistant
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Aidan has been in Bozeman since his dad retired from the Air Force in 2015. Growing up he played numerous sports, played the piano, and enjoyed military life. Aidan is currently enrolled at Montana State University and plans to graduate with a degree in criminology.

Lora Holmes

Funeral Director Assistant
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Lora's family moved to Bozeman when she was six years old, and she has called it home ever since. She attended Mount Ellis Academy and pursued further education at Montana State University, majoring in English Literature. She is eager to begin mortuary science school next year, driven by her desire to learn all she can about assisting people during their most critical moments of need. In her free time she enjoys hiking, skiing, and playing the piano.

 

April Rhodes

Staff Assistant
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April was born and raised in Aberdeen, WA. In 2019, she embarked on a new chapter by relocating to the beautiful landscapes of Montana. April was a CNA for four years, and has worked in a funeral home for as long as she can remember. She is the third generation in her family legacy in funeral service. April finds joy in baking, as well as being in the great outdoors—whether hiking or exploring new destinations with her husband, Philip, and their fun-loving German Shepherd, Depot.