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Licensed Staff

All of our licensed directors adhere to the highest standard of ethical practices and are committed to ensuring that all of your needs are attended to. Their commitment to the community and genuine compassion toward families are but a few of the characteristics that make them outstanding in their field. We are proud to have them on our staff.

Jay & Kelly Van Sickle, (Jay - Licensed Director) Owner Email: sturmse@sleepyeyetel.net Office Phone: (507) 794-5221 Fax: (507) 794-3191 Jay grew up in Warren, MN where he helped on the family farm until graduating from Warren High School in 1982. He attended Universities in St. Cloud, MN and Fargo, ND for pre-mortuary Science and then attended the U of M in Minneapolis graduating with a BS degree in Mortuary Science in 1988. Jay & Kelly were married in July of that year in Grand Forks, ND. They made their home in Fargo and Jay worked for Ivers-Landblom Funeral Home in Fargo and Kelly worked as a dental assistant.  They moved to Sleepy Eye in 1994 where they both worked for Sturm Funeral Homes. Jay and Justin Asmus acquired the business in 2004 from Ron and Sharon Sturm.  In 2004, Kelly became more involved in the business adding office/record manager to her duties of funeral assistant.   Jay and Kelly have twin daughters, Alexa and Regina who graduated from high school in 2010. Jay has been active in the community serving in several service groups including the Sleepy Eye Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Brown County Pheasants Forever and Sleepy Eye Eagles Club. They are members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where Jay serves as St. Mary’s Cemetery Sexton. In his spare time Jay enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, golfing and snowmobling.

Justin & Jennifer Asmus, (Justin - Licensed Director) Owner Email: sturmsp@newulmtel.net Office Phone: (507) 723-4298 Fax: (507) 723-4299 Justin was born in Litchfield, MN.  He graduated from Litchfield High School, attended Southwest State University in Marshall and graduated from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Campus with a degree in Mortuary Science in 2000.  Justin and Jennifer were married in Huron, SD where Jennifer was born and raised.  They resided in Richfield, MN before moving to Springfield in February of 2000 to become a part of Sturm Funeral Homes.  Justin and Jay Van Sickle acquired the business in 2004 from Ron and Sharon Sturm.  In 2004 Jennifer also started working with Sturm Funeral Home as a funeral assistant and helping with office details.  Justin and Jennifer have two children – Alexandar and Carter. They are members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Springfield where Justin has served on the Church Council and Call Committee.  He also serves on the Springfield Library Board as Treasurer and is a member of the Springfield Lions. The Asmus family enjoys camping, biking, golfing and spending time as a family.

Jim & Eyvonne Carlsen, (Jim - Licensed Director) Email: sturmsj@centurylink.net Office Phone: (507) 375-7342 Fax: (507) 375-7346 Jim grew up in the Twin Cities and graduated from Milbank High School, Milbank, SD. He then attended Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, and mortuary school at Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas, Texas. Jim is licensed in South Dakota, Texas and Minnesota and brings 35 years of funeral service experience with him to St. James Before joining the staff of Sturm Funeral Homes in 2006, Jim was managing partner at the Carlsen-Jolley Funeral Homes in Sturgis and Spearfish, SD since 1991. He has been active in funeral service associations serving as President of the South Dakota Funeral Director’s Association in 1998-1999.  He also has held numerous other State Officer positions as well as committee chair positions.  Jim is proud to have had the CFSP designation awarded by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice since 1996. He has been active, over the years, in Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Sertoma Club, Optimist Club, local Chambers of Commerce and church where he has held numerous leadership positions. He is a former board member of the South Dakota Infant Loss Center in Sioux Falls. Jim met his wife, Eyvonne, while working at a funeral home in Dallas, Texas. Eyvonne and Jim also own and operate the St. James Cleaners.  They have a daughter, Elizabeth, son-in-law Dale and grandsons Andrew and Aiden that live in Mankato.

R. Scott & Barb Jones, (Scott - Licensed Director) Email: sturmsp@newulmtel.net Office Phone: (507) 723-4298 Fax: (507) 723-4299 Robert ‘Scott’ Jones, a native of Jasper, MN, began his work with Sturm Funeral Home in 1991. Scott graduated with a B.S. Degree in Business Management from Southwest State University in 1984, and later from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. Degree in Mortuary Science in 1992. He has served on MFDA’s District boards for several years and has attained CFSP (Certified Funeral Service Practitioner) status on the national level. Scott is currently serving on the National Disaster Response Team as well as the Minnesota Disaster Response Team. He is married to Barbara (Buysse) and the couple has two daughters – Victoria (Tori) and Stacia. His wife Barb has owned and operated Springfield Floral since 1984. They both enjoy attending their daughter’s athletic events at high school and college, gardening, and canning. Scott is active in the community as a member of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church serving as a lector and Eucharistic Minister, Sons of the American Legion, and serves on the Springfield School Board.

Deb Englund, (Licensed Director) Email: sturmmtl@frontier.com Office Phone: (507) 427-2755 Fax: (507) 427-2756 Deb was born and raised in Michigan and came to Minnesota to study Mortuary Science at the University of Minnesota.  She graduated with high distinction in 1993.  After working for some time in Minneapolis, she began working in Mankato and Mapleton.  She worked in Buffalo until coming to join Sturm Funeral Homes.  For Deb, moving to Mountain Lake feels like homecoming. In 1987 she married Norm Englund.  Ten years later they had a son - Reece.  They all enjoy being active in church.  Deb enjoys eating out, gardening, crafts, going for walks with her husband, and being involved in her son’s school activities.  She looks forward to joining in local civic activities and supports Smile Train and the March of Dimes.

Jeanni Durheim, Pre – Arrangement Consultant Email: prairieplanning@centurylink.net Toll Free Phone: 1-877-500-7972 Office Phone: (507) 375-8326 Fax: (507) 375-7346 Jean Durheim was born and raised in St. Peter, MN and  graduated from St. Peter High School.  After high school, Jeanni attended cosmetology training and for twenty-five years she lived in Mankato and worked at Campus Coiffures in Mankato as a hairdresser.  In Feb of 2000, Jeanni joined the staff of Sturm Funeral Home as a Pre-need Consultant. Jeanni and “Doc” Durheim were married in 1997 at First Lutheran Church in St. James.  Jeanni and Doc are members of First Lutheran Church in St. James. They are also members of the Core Committee of Watonwan County Chapter of Relay For Life.  Jeanni and Doc enjoy traveling, flower gardening, reading and spending time with their families.

Alicia Toutges, (Licensed Director) Email: pilgrimfh@cccinternet.net Office Phone: (507) 642-3214 Fax: (507) 642-3215 Alicia grew up on a farm near Litchfield, MN.  She graduated from Litchfield High School in 2002.  After high school she attended Metropolitan State University in St. Paul.  She graduated from college in 2005 with a B.A. in Gerontology and Communications.  Alicia was employed at Augustana Homes for seven years working in several positions including: Activities, Adult Day Care and Volunteer Coordinator for Hospice.  Alicia married Kris Toutges in 2006; they continued to reside in Litchfield.  Alicia decided to further her education at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Campus.  She graduated in December 2011 with a B.S. degree in Mortuary Science. Alicia & Kris enjoy traveling, boating, and spending time with friends and family.  Alicia also loves gardening, baking, working outside and riding her horse Fancy.