Our Staff

Dean Ross
Funeral Director/Embalmer

• Father of two sons, Colton and Carter-Ray, grandson Ethan and granddaughter Sienna
• Started as an Apprentice Embalmer at Pierson's Funeral Service Ltd., Calgary 
• Graduate of the Alberta School of Mortuary Science  
• Licensed Funeral Director and Certified Embalmer 
• Graduate of numerous Grief Recovery Training Seminars 
• Authorized Memorial Counsellor for Sunset Memorial & Stone Ltd. 
• Owner of Parkview Funeral Chapels (1985) Ltd. in Castor and Coronation areas 
• Owner of Stettler Funeral Home and Crematorium
• Presently representing the province of Alberta Funeral Homes on the Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board 
• Past President with Alberta Funeral Service Association 
• Past President Quarter Horse Association of Alberta 
• Past Director American Quarter Horse Association  
• Past Vice Chairman of Castor Recreation Board 
• American Quarter Horse Association Approved Judge

Verna Rock 
Pre- Arranged Funeral Specialist, CelebrantFuneral Director/Embalmer

• Born in Stettler and raised in Botha, Alberta 
• Graduated from William E. Hay High School, Stettler 
• Graduated from Mount Hood College in Portland, Oregon with a degree in Mortuary Science 
• Licensed Funeral Director and Certified Embalmer 
• Funeral Directors Internship at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home in Portland, OR 
• Employed by Parkview / Stettler Funeral Chapels since 1995 
• Member of Stettler Bereavement Care Council 
• Authorized Memorial Counselor for Sunset Memorial and Stone Ltd. 
• Past Vice President of Alberta Funeral Service Regulatory Board 
• Vice President of Bar Harbour Camp 
• Worked with Victim Services with Stettler R.C.M.P. for 16 years 
• Mother of one son Spencer (Lori) and one daughter Suzanne 
• Grandmother of three granddaughters Miranda, Haley and Serenity and a large extended family 
• Great Grandmother to Grayson (the newest addition)
• Cooking, baking, reading and sewing

Corinne Adair 
Funeral Director/Embalmer

• Born in Stettler and raised in the Donalda area with 10 brothers and sisters 
• Graduated from Wm. E. Hay High School 
• Mother of two daughters Laura (son in law Matthew Cameron) and grandson Blaze Matthew Cameron; Amy (son in law Robin Brazenall) and grandson Bodhi Oscar William Brazenall and granddaughter Tove Wendy Eilish Brazenall 
• Employed at Canalta for 10 years in the service industry of Hotel/Motel Management 
• Employed at Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium since 2006 
• Graduate of Alberta School of Mortuary Science 
• Licensed Funeral Director and Certified Embalmer 
• Hobbies and interests include a love of family, flowers, wildlife, nature and the great outdoors, reading, meteorology, the news

Shannon  Saar-Shirley 
Business Manager/Funeral Director

• Born and raised in Big Valley and lives in Stettler, Alberta
• Graduated Wm. E. Hay High School in 1991
• Graduate of  Great Falls University with Degree in Criminal Justice 
• Licensed Alberta Funeral Director in 1997
• Authorized Memorial Counsellor for Sunset Memorial and Stone Ltd. and Summit Memorials
• Employed at Canalta for 6 years in the service industry of Hotel Management 
• Has four wonderful boys Andrew, Adam, Ryan and Reid 
• Enjoys family time, boating, fishing, and her children's activities

Calvin Blauel
Funeral Director/Embalmer

Calvin grew up in Castor and followed his dad Albert Blauel’s footsteps in Funeral Service, completing his apprenticeship with Winter's Funeral Home of Drumheller.  He worked at Winter's Funeral Homes in Hanna, Drumheller and Three Hills until 1981.  In 1998, Calvin went to work for Stettler Funeral Home, working with Dean Ross, Verna Rock, Corinne Adair. 

Looking back, when Calvin worked for Winter's in Drumheller, they were also on call for ambulance.  The funeral coach was used for funerals and as an ambulance. If they received a call for ambulance they would put the light on the roof and head out.  How times have changed.  Calvin was always very compassionate about his work and the families he met and cared for. 

Living in a small town, everybody knows everybody, so phone calls at home and meeting families become very personal. 

Calvin refereed hockey for over 35 years, and held a Level 4 refereeing Junior A hockey.    He is also an past member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Stettler.   

Calvin is married to Wendy for 40 years this June and has one daughter, Jennifer and her husband Don and granddaughters Mikayla and Brooklyn.  

Matthew Kneeland
Embalmer

• Born in Edmonton, raised at  Donalda, Alberta.
• Went to William E Hay High School.
• Son of Ray and Pat Kneeland of Donalda. Have three siblings Teresa, Clint, and Jodi.
• Four children Nathanael, Anna, Meagan and Molly .
• Have Nine years experience in the Funeral business and am an Embalmer by trade.

Makyla Hiemstra 
Funeral Director

• Born in Calgary, Alberta and raised in the Big Valley area
• Journeymen hairstylist over 7 years
• Mother to son Liam
• Enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking and being in the great outdoors.

Antoinette Lauglin
Apprentice - Funeral Director and Embalmer

• Born, raised and graduated at Vauxhall Jr. - Sr. High School, Vauxhall, Alberta
  
• Married and raised three sons in Stettler, Alberta
  
• Graduated at Red Deer Community College, Stettler Campus - Office Administration
  
• Worked in oilfield, retail and public service related accounting/data entry
  
• Community volunteer in many capacities and organizations
  
• Co-Owner/Manager of two family owned businesses
  
• Reiki practitioner and educator
  
• Trained as a Rainbows Facilitator, volunteer at Stettler Elementary School, grief education for children and youth
  
• EAL - Equine Assisted Learning Coach - Spirit's Respite Ranch
  
• Stettler Hospice

Abigael Lizee
Apprentice - Funeral Director and Embalmer

• Born in Stettler, Alberta and raised in Erskine until moving closer to Stettler area in 2021.
• Graduated from William E. Hay High School in 2023.
• Attending Canadian College of Funeral Services for both Funeral Directing and Embalming.
• Proud member of Gracenotes Choir for four years.
• Attends St. Peter Lutheran Church in Stettler and previously attended the Evangelical Free Church in Erskine.
• My hobbies include spending time with my family and friends, reading and writing, singing and theatre, listening to music and taking part in community events when I can.

Wendy Blauel
Funeral Attendant

• Born in Castor and raised in the Endiang area.
• Attended school in Endiang, Byemoor and graduated 
  from Wm. E. Hay High School in 1972.
• Employment years consisted of 13 years at ATB in Three
  Hills, Hanna and Stettler; and 28 years at Alberta Power/ATCO Electric retiring in 2016.
• Married to Calvin for over 46 years and have one daughter Jennifer.  She is married to Don Blomquist.
• Two Granddaughters - Mikayla and Brooklyn.
• Enjoys being around people and volunteering in the 
  community.
• My hobbies are family time, camping, reading, gardening and being outdoors.

George Nichols 
Funeral Attendant

• Born and raised in the Castor area 
•  Graduated from Theresetta School 
• Married Judy Kneller and enjoys farming in the Lauderdale area 
• Father of two girls Janelle and Nolana   
• Grandfather of two adorable grandchildren Brynley & Gavin 
• Teaches woodworking at Gus Wetter School 
• Active member in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church 
• Member of the Castor Elks and Knights of Columbus 
• Enjoys camping, plays senior baseball and all sports his daughters are involved with

Sharon Kempf 
Accountant and Funeral Attendant

• Born and raised in Stettler area 
  
• Graduated from Wm. E. Hay High School 
  
• Worked for CNT and Telus for 15 years in Northwest Territories, Yukon Territories and Alberta 
  
• Spent traveling and working in Australia and New Zealand for several years 
  
• Accountant for various Companies for the past 12 years 
  
• Volunteers with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association 
  
• Enjoys gardening, reading and farming with her family