Craig W. Olson

Licensed Funeral Director

Craig was born and raised on the third generation Olson Family Farm between Argusville and Arthur, ND. He graduated from Dakota High School in Arthur. In 1994, he received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and minor in Economics from NDSU in Fargo. He went on to attend the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where he graduated with high honors in Mortuary Science. In 1997, he returned to the area to work for his uncle, Bill West at the West Funeral Home. Craig has served National Funeral Directors Association as a member of the Professional Conduct Committee, Member Resource Advisory Group and is currently serving on the Disaster Preparedness Committee. Locally he is treasurer of his church and was a member of the Fargo Jaycees. He also is a Past President of the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association, a past West Fargo Chamber Ambassador, Past President of the Fargo Jaycees and member the North Dakota Jaycees Convention Committee. He was honored with the highest recognition in the North Dakota Jaycees that being a "Roughrider." In May of 2009, Craig was bestowed upon the prestigious "Ambassador" Award from the United States Jaycees. Craig married Laura Harthan in 2009 and they have two children.  In 2013, Craig and Laura bought the funeral home from his uncle Bill and will continue the family legacy of four generations of ownership and serving the Red River Valley.

He enjoys singing at local functions, working on the family farm and spending time with family among other hobbies.

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Kent Braunberger

Licensed Funeral Director

Kent was born and raised in Finley, ND,  attended Valley City State University, and Mid-American College of Funeral Service in Indianapolis, IN.   He became a ND Licensed Funeral Director in August 1981.   Kent was employed with firms in Moorhead, MN and Williston, ND, prior to moving with his family in 1985, to New Rockford, ND.  There he was employed with Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford and Carrington.   Kent became 50% owner of the funeral homes January 1992, and continued as an owner/director until January 2018.   Desiring to continue serving in the profession he loves, he joined the staff of West Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center February 1, 2018.

Kent served as President of North Dakota Funeral Directors Association in 1998.

He has been a member of Kiwanis International since 1983 and is a local member of Fargo Kiwanis Club.  In New Rockford he served as sexton of Prairie Home Cemetery for 32 years, as a member of the local school board for 11 years, and as Treasurer of Bethel A/G in Carrington over 20 years.   He and his wife are members of Northview Church, Fargo.

Kent and Carol (Beckstrand) were married in 1981.  They have three married children and currently eight grandchildren.    Carol is the FACS teacher at Richland 44 School at Colfax, ND.

His hobbies include gardening, golfing and hunting.

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Dave Haug

Licensed Funeral Director

Dave was born at Estelline, SD and raised on a dairy farm near Willow Lake, SD. Following graduation from high school, he attended Brown Institute in Minneapolis, graduating from the radio broadcasting and electronics course. Dave was employed by KDLR Inc In Devils Lake, ND for nearly fifteen years. He graduated from Lake Region College at Devils Lake in 1982 and from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, IL in 1985. He was employed at Nelson Funeral Homes in Walhalla, Maddock, Leeds, Minnewaukan and Esmond, ND for the next 28 years. He also served a six year enlistment in the National Guard.  

Dave joined the West Funeral Home Family in 2014. He resides in West Fargo with his wife, Tammy and daughter, Bethanie. Dave enjoys music, collecting and restoring vintage radio equipment.

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Robert Norton

Licensed Funeral Director

Robert was born and raised in Carrington, ND graduating from Carrington High School in 1992. He then went to Valley City State University and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Marketing in 1996 then attended Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, OR and earned his degree in Mortuary Science in 1997. He served his apprenticeship in Minnesota before working in Cando, ND.

In 2010, Robert married Jennifer Lautt and the couple have since lived in Minnesota, South Dakota and now back in West Fargo, ND where Jennifer is from. While in South Dakota they had their first daughter, JoLyssa and since moving back to West Fargo they had a set of twins Brekken and BreLee . They are members of Holy Cross Catholic Church. Robert enjoys the outdoors; especially hunting, fishing, golfing, softball and many other outdoor activities.  

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Andrew West

Licensed Funeral Director

Andrew grew up in West Fargo, ND, where he graduated from West Fargo High School in 1996. He then attended North Dakota State University. After working in manufacturing and as a welder for several years he decided to return to school. Andrew attended the University Of Minnesota, where he earned a Mortuary Science degree in 2009. He then return to join the family business.  Andrew lives in West Fargo, where he attends Community Presbyterian Church.

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Alex Swanson

Licensed Funeral Director

Alex Swanson was raised on a farm near Moorhead, Minnesota, where he was active in community affairs and belonged to the Oak Mound 4-H Club and church Luther League while growing up.

He graduated from Moorhead High School, Minnesota State University Moorhead with a B.A. in Communication Studies, and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis with a B.S. in Mortuary Science.

He was a lifelong member, organist, and historian of the Oak Mound Congregational Church until its closing. He has since held membership at North Buffalo Lutheran Church (rural Moorhead), where he serves as church treasurer, historian, substitute organist, sings in the choir, and has served on the church council.

He is a member of the Red River Theatre Organ Society and Red River Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists where he has held various offices. Since age 16, he has served as a house organist of the Fargo Theatre on the “Mighty Wurlitzer” Theatre Pipe Organ there.

Since age 18, he has served as sexton and a board member for three rural cemeteries near his home.

His hobbies and interests include collecting vintage farm tractors and machinery, music, genealogy, and history. He is active in the Lake Agassiz Two-Cylinder Club, Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion at Rollag, MN, Cass and Clay County Historical Societies, and several genealogical organizations.

Alex resides on a farm near Moorhead. He entered funeral service on September 6, 2016, and joined the staff at West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center on September 3, 2019.

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Karie Freed

Licensed Funeral Director

We welcomed Karie to our staff in June of 2021.  Karie grew up in Horace, ND and graduated from West Fargo High School in 1995. Following graduation, she worked for Dakota Clinic for 9 years and the VA Hospital for 13 years as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant. While working full time and raising two children, Blake and Bailey, she decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in Mortuary Science. She started at Minnesota State Technical and Community College followed by Arapahoe Community College in Colorado where she obtained her degree in Mortuary Science in August of 2020. 

Karie is a member of Horace Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway, and the Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County. Her hobbies include ancestry, genealogy, reading, puzzles and spending time with her family. She is happy and honored to be serving families in her hometown as part of the West Funeral Home team.

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Kelly Mondry

Office Manager

Kelly joined our staff in 2023. She grew up in Parshall, ND. She attended college at UND and worked as a speech-language pathologist and tutor for many years. She grew up in a funeral business family with her dad and brothers all being licensed funeral directors. She decided to return to her comfort zone and is happy to be back helping families and supporting funeral directors.

Kelly and her husband, Todd, moved to West Fargo in 2000. They have a son, Matthew, who is attending Concordia College in Moorhead. Kelly enjoys spending time with family, spoiling her cat, and eating out so she doesn’t have to cook!

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William W. West

Licensed Funeral Director

(Bill) joined the family business in 1970 following his discharge from the Army. Prior to military service, Bill had attended the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University before graduating from the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1969. Bill married Flora McIntyre of Prosper, North Dakota in 1972. They made their home in Casselton until 1974, when they moved to West Fargo and established a new funeral home. In 1979, Bill and Flora purchased the Casselton funeral home from Bill's father and began operating both locations as West Funeral Homes, Inc. Thirty years after establishing the West Fargo location, Bill and Flora remodeled the facility and added an additional 6,500 square feet. In May of 2013, they sold the funeral home to his nephew, Craig who will continue as the fourth generation of West Funeral Home. Bill is planning to enjoy retirement and will occasionally be assisting at the funeral home when needed.Bill enjoys golfing and hunting along with spending time with his wife, Flora and their four children, Brooks, Andrew, Ivy and Medora and two grandchildren.   

Jane Anderson

Tribute Assistant

Jane Anderson joined our family in 2019 as a hairstylist and in 2023, she started as a tribute assistant.  Jane grew up in Buffalo, ND and is honored to help care for families and their loved ones in our care. 

Rob Engen

Tribute Assistant

Rob grew up in Page, ND and has made West Fargo home for many years. Rob retired from Straus Clothing in Fargo after over 30 years of caring service. He and his wife, Lauri are members of Lutheran Church of the Cross in West Fargo. Rob is also very active with Great Plains Harmony. Rob joined our West Family in 2016.

Erin Friezen

Tribute Assistant

Erin joined the West Funeral Home Family in 2013. She works part time and assists with visitation and services. Erin resides in West Fargo. She takes great pride in assisting when needed.

Ilana Kelly

Tribute Assistant

Ilana joined the West team in 2012. She works part time and assists with visitation and services. Ilana lives in North Fargo and is a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo. She considers it a privilege to assist when needed. 

Roger Larson

Tribute Assistant

Roger joined the West Team in December of 2016. Roger is a long time West Fargo resident. He owned and operated Larson’s Super Valu in West Fargo before moving to Edgeley, ND where he was in the grocery business. For the last years, he served at President of the ND Grocers Association.

Wayne Oberlander

Tribute Assistant

Wayne was welcomed to our staff in 2014. Wayne is a native of Streeter, ND and makes his home in Casselton, ND with his wife, Bonnie. He owned and operated the Sturdevant’s Auto Parts Store in Casselton for many years. They are members of Martin’s Lutheran Church in Casselton. 

Caryn Olson

Tribute Assistant

Caryn grew up on the third generation Olson Family Farm near Argusville, ND and graduated from Northern Cass High School. She received a bachelor's degree from North Dakota State University and master's degree from Minnesota State University, Mankota. Caryn joined our team in May of 2013. She assists in the office along with visitations and services. She currently resides in West Fargo and is the Event & Public Relations Leader for the Fargo Flagship Scheels Store.

Virginia Satrom

Tribute Assistant

We welcomed Virginia to our team in 2012. Virginia is married to Wayne Satrom and they farmed for many years in the Galesburg, ND area. She also worked for First State Bank of ND in Arthur for over 20 years. After she retired, they moved to West Fargo and she soon decided that it would be nice to work part time helping at the funeral home.

Steve Weippert

Tribute Assistant

 Steve hails from Steele, North Dakota. He worked at MeritCare and Sanford Hospitals at a registered nurse and retired in October of 2014. He joined West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center in November of 2014 as a tribute assistant. He enjoys the freedoms of retirement along with golfing.

- - - - We offer much thanks to our retired part time tribute assistants - - - -

Rebecca Berge-Buss

Licensed Master Social Worker

Rebecca has chosen to retire from our part time team in April of 2022 . We wish her all the best in her retirement years.

Rebecca came aboard our staff in 2015. Her primary role is as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). She leads our grief support sessions, holiday remembrance service and follows up with families that we serve. She is available to all families for basic grief care and visits. Rebecca makes her home in Casselton with her husband, Kent.

Darrel Olson

Tribute Assistant

Darrel retired from our part time team in 2020 but continue to provide ministry when requested.

Darrel and his wife Phyllis joined the West team in 2013. They live in West Fargo and are enjoying their retirement volunteering at Churches United for the Homeless and Atonement Lutheran Church. Darrel was an ordained Lutheran Pastor. He served much of his ministry in the Finley, ND area and hails from Hannaford, ND. 

They enjoy some traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren. 

Phyllis Olson

Tribute Assistant

Phyllis retired from our part time team in 2020.

Phyllis and her husband Darrel joined the West team in 2013. They live in West Fargo and are enjoying their retirement volunteering at Sheyenne Crossings, Churches United for the Homeless and Atonement Lutheran Church. They are both Lutheran Pastors. They served much of their ministry in the Finley, ND area. Phyllis is originally from Casselton. They have enjoyed helping with services and visitations. "We didn't realize how much was involved on this side of a funeral before. There is much more to it than we ever thought."

They enjoy some traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren. 

Bruce Thompson

Tribute Assistant

We honor Bruce's memory with us and cherish his dedication having cared for him with his passing on August 22, 2019.

Bruce grew up in the Page, ND area and has lived in West Fargo, ND for many years. Bruce and his wife, Helen, raised their children in West Fargo and are active members of Faith Lutheran Church, West Fargo. Bruce worked at Dakota Electric Supply, Fargo, before retiring. He now enjoys his time on the golf course.  After 15 years of dedicated service with us, Bruce retired in December of 2017. We are grateful for his passion in assisting the families we are privileged to serve.