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 Funeral Director & Owner
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Bailey Krause Funeral Director & Assistant Manager
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F. Ray Ruffatto Funeral Director
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Katie Sauvageau Funeral Director
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Luke Foreman P-T Funeral Director
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Jacob Krause P-T Funeral Director
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Shanna Hamilton Administrative Assistant
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Mikel Bechtold Administrative Assistant
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Cyndi Lockart 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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April Rhodes Funeral Director Assistant
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Lora Holmes Funeral Director Assistant
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Marsha Fendler Funeral Director Assistant
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Mike Courts Funeral Director Assistant
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Macy Jones Funeral Director Assistant
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Sophia Overhauser Funeral Director Assistant

Chris Remely

Funeral Director & Owner
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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.

Bailey Krause

Funeral Director & Assistant Manager
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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.

 

F. Ray Ruffatto

Funeral Director
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Ray grew up in Great Falls, Montana, but his roots in the Gallatin Valley go back five generations. So when he moved to Bozeman in the mid ’80s to attend MSU, it already felt a bit like coming home. During his second year of college, he joined a South Bozeman volunteer fire department that his grandfather helped start. That decision kicked off nearly 30 years of work in emergency services across Montana. After retiring, Ray quickly realized he wasn’t ready to step away from meaningful work. He went back to school, earning his degree in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science from the American Academy McAllister Institute. Today, Ray feels truly honored to continue supporting families as they navigate some of life’s hardest moments. He brings compassion, steadiness, and genuine care to every family he meets, helping them make decisions that feel right for them and ensuring their loved ones are honored with dignity and respect. For Ray, this isn’t just a career — it’s a way to continue helping folks in a community that helped shape his life-long commitment to service. Outside of work, Ray enjoys spending time with his family and taking advantage of the many outdoor activities the Gallatin Valley offers.

Katie Sauvageau

Funeral Director
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Katie is a Montana Native, born and raised in Three Forks, Montana, and graduating from Three Forks High School in 2007. She attended Rocky Mountain College in Billings on a golf scholarship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology, along with minors in chemistry and Spanish. After college, Katie relocated to Arizona where she completed a degree in Mortuary Science and dedicated 10 years to funeral service. After spending 13 years living in Arizona, Katie decided to return home to her Montana roots to be closer to family. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time outdoors and embracing the Montana lifestyle she has always loved including, hunting, fishing, shed hunting, and watching sports.

Luke Foreman

P-T 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. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his amazing wife, Tatjana, rock climbing, hiking, camping, fishing, and drinking coffee. Luke has transitioned away from a full-time position with Dokken-Nelson but helps out occasionally as needed.

Jacob Krause

P-T 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 in 2022 was the perfect opportunity. And his love of all things outdoors made it an easy decision to head west. He has since left his full-time position at Dokken-Nelson, but helps out occasionally as needed.

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 places off the beaten path. Before joining the Dokken-Nelson team, she spent her career in retail sales management.

Mikel Bechtold

Administrative Assistant
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Born and raised in the panhandle of Texas, Mikel moved to Montana with her family in 2017. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, watching Rockies baseball and cheering for the Bobcats. Mikel and her husband, Zach, have three children and love raising their family in Bozeman.

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.

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. 

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.

April Rhodes

Funeral Director 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.

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 driven to assist people during their most critical moments of need. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, skiing, and playing the piano.

Marsha Fendler

Funeral Director Assistant
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Marsha was born and raised in Bozeman, graduating from Bozeman High School. She was a bookkeeper for several companies, including the plumbing business she and her husband, Eric, owned for 25 years. Marsha enjoys spending time with her five children and all of her grandchildren. She loves to travel and do jigsaw puzzles when she has extra time.

Mike Courts

Funeral Director Assistant
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Macy Jones

Funeral Director Assistant
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Sophia Overhauser

Funeral Director Assistant
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