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.

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 Furey Funeral Home.

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.

preplan@fureyfh.com

Denise was raised in rural Frazee and graduated from Frazee High School. After living in the Minneapolis area for three years, she moved back to the Frazee area and began a career in banking that extended over thirty-five years. Denise was VP of Mortgage Lending at a bank in Detroit Lakes prior to serving with Young Life Castaway Club on Pelican Lake for the last couple of years. She then took an early retirement.

Denise has been active in organizations in both the Detroit Lakes and Frazee communities. Currently, she is involved with TeacHaiti, a non-profit organization providing education for children in Haiti; volunteers with the local Young Life organization; and serves at Lakes Area Vineyard Church. Denise’s heart is at home enjoying time with family. Denise loves working with people and is honored to serve others as the Advance Funeral Planner at Furey Funeral Home. 

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.