Meet Our Staff
Outstanding Service is Our Priority
The highest level of care starts with the quality staff members who will meet with your family. When you lose someone you love, you need someone who will listen to you and provide a healing and meaningful experience. Our highly qualified staff is ready to assist you throughout this difficult time.
If you are interested in preplanning for your funeral wishes, we invite you to book a meeting with our Preplanning Specialist to learn more about the process and its benefits.
Licensed Staff
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 met at SSU, where Jennifer earned degrees in Sociology and Psychology. They 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 his business partner, Jay VanSickle, acquired the business in 2004. In December of 2022, Justin and Jennifer acquired the business from Jay after his retirement.
They are members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Springfield, where Justin has served on the Church Council and Call Committee, and Jennifer has been involved as a Luther League advisor, playing in the bell choir, and accompanying the church choir. Justin has served on the Springfield Library Board as Treasurer and is currently serving on the Springfield Planning and Zoning Board and on the St. John Lutheran Home Board of Directors. Jennifer serves on the Springfield Area Foundation and Southpoint Financial Credit Union Supervisory Committee.
Justin and Jennifer have two children - Xandar and Carter. The Asmus family enjoys traveling, golfing, riding ATVs, and spending time as a family.
Shannon was born in Morris, MN and grew up in Litchfield, graduating from Litchfield High School in 1985. He graduated from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Campus in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science. As a funeral director, Shannon worked in the twin cities metro area, Iowa, and Litchfield before joining Sturm Funeral Homes in September 2022. He is a member of Cremation Association of North America (CANA) and is a certified crematory operator.
Shannon and Carrie were married in 2001. Carrie worked as a licensed social worker for many years in the fields of hospice, long-term care, and in the county system before joining Sturm Funeral Homes in January 2023 where she works primarily in Sleepy Eye. They have a daughter Lydia who keeps them busy with various activities. They enjoy golfing, watching college football, and spending time together.
Rose grew up in Litchfield MN, and graduated from high school in 1998. She attended Century College in White Bear Lake, MN, where she completed her training for Dental Assisting. In 2007, she married Nick Hoxmeier, and in 2009, the couple had daughter, Allison.
After working in the dental field for 10 years, Rose furthered her education, earning an Associate in Arts degree at Century College in 2013. In 2014, she graduated from the University of Minnesota - Mortuary Science Program with a Bachelor's of Science Degree. It was in September of the same year that she moved to Madelia with her family to begin Rose's career in funeral service.
Rose is a member of the Women of Today - Madelia chapter and the Madelia Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She enjoys camping, hiking, rollerblading and outdoor activities with her family.
Lance was born in Sleepy Eye, MN, and graduated from Sleepy Eye High School in 2004. He attended Minnesota State University, Mankato, and completed a degree in German in 2010. After living abroad for several years, Lance returned home to Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science in 2013.
Lance has been fortunate to serve families as a licensed funeral director in Winona, MN, and most recently in Mankato, MN, where he worked for several years before joining Sturm Funeral Home. In addition, Lance is a certified crematory operator. Lance is honored to be serving the communities he was raised in and the families he grew up with.
Lance is married to Brittany, and they have two children, Lucy and Finn. Raising their children and spending quality family time together is how Lance likes to spend his time. When he is not serving families, Lance also enjoys time spent with his extended family in Sleepy Eye and Comfrey.
Michelle was born and raised in Springfield, MN. She graduated from Springfield High School and later the University of Minnesota - Mortuary Science Program with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in 2015. After graduating, she was able to return to her childhood community to complete her internship with Sturm Funeral Home. Following a five-year break from funeral service to raise her daughter, Michelle returned to Sturm Funeral Home as a funeral director in March of 2023.
Michelle and her daughter, Alyce, currently reside in Springfield. Together they love to craft, game nights, anything outdoors and making memories with family and friends.
Non-Licensed Staff
Although they are not licensed funeral directors, these staff members are vitally important to the operation of our firm. These dedicated people assist us with the funeral ceremony, help with the maintenance and cleanliness of our buildings and grounds, provide coverage during visitations, and generally do what we ask of them. All of our unlicensed help take great pride in the job they do, and Sturm Funeral & Cremation Services is proud to include them as part of our funeral service family.
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Funeral Director
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
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