Our Staff

The tradition began when Paul and Florence Korsmo moved their family from Warren, Minnesota, to
Moorhead to open Korsmo Funeral Chapel on January 1st, 1958. It was during those early years that The
Korsmo's developed the motto which has endured through the decades - "Serving when the need is
greatest".
In 1962, the first additional licensed funeral director, Milo Larson, joined the firm. This allowed the
family occasional time off, but did not diminish the couple's tireless work. In 1976, Paul and Florence's
son, George, became a licensed funeral director and returned to Moorhead with his wife, Ruth, to join
the family business.
That same year, the family incorporated their business under the name Korsmo Funeral Service, Inc. The
name was chosen to reflect the firm's commitment to service. In 1985, Florence retired from the
business and Ruth joined in a full-time capacity.
In 2020, George and Ruth became partners with Shawn and Sarah Nygaard. Shawn and Sarah grew up in
rural North Dakota and have known the Korsmo’s for years, making the transition seamless. The
commitment to our community will be the same level our families have experienced from the start, and
now, will continue for years to come with Shawn and Sarah.
Today, Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service is owned and operated by Shawn and Sarah Nygaard.
They are accompanied by long time licensed funeral directors; Tom Pence, Conrad Barnes, Danelle Dunn
and Colleen Lanners, along with our wonderful support staff of George and Ruth Korsmo, Peggy Rezac,
Travis Hawk, Lee Horner, Josh Lorenz, Ike Paxton, Jewell Fiskness and Alisia Feland.
“Our professional staff is committed in making sure that every detail is covered, so your family can
concentrate on one another.” “Our guarantee, is your experience with our firm will be first class and
done with integrity, honesty and respect.” “We believe each and every family is part of our family, and
because we are a small firm, this allows us to continue to be a resource for you, even after the funeral is
complete.” “This has been our belief and we will not waver from this sacred responsibility.” - Shawn
and Sarah Nygaard

Shawn grew up in Edmore, ND, graduating from Edmore High School in 1998. He attended the University of North Dakota and graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota in 2002. From 2002-2006, Shawn was employed at Stanley-Iverson Funeral Home in McVille, ND Cooperstown, ND and Lakota, ND. In 2006, Shawn accepted a position with David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN.

On January 1, 2020, Shawn and his wife Sarah became partners at Korsmo Funeral Service. Together they will continue the long-lasting tradition of compassionate care our community has trusted over the years. Shawn and Sarah have three children.

Shawn is a Minnesota and North Dakota licensed funeral director and is a member of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association as well as the National Funeral Directors Association. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing the FM Walleye tournaments, coaching his son in sporting events, and spending time at the lake with his family.

Sarah grew up in Fairdale, ND and graduated from Edmore High School in 1999. She attended college at
NDSCS in Wahpeton and is a licensed dental hygienist. For over 20 years, she practiced hygiene in Devils
Lake, ND, and most recently Perham, MN before joining her husband Shawn at Korsmo’s. You will see
Sarah in various roles from office work, to working funerals. An avid runner, Sarah enjoys running
marathons, spending time with her family, lake activities and reading. “Growing up in rural North
Dakota, Shawn and I witnessed that community and families are what make an area great. At Korsmo’s,
we bring that same feel of family and commitment that we were blessed with growing up, as we
continue to walk beside families that we are called to serve.”

Tom, a Minot, North Dakota native and graduate of Minot High School, received his degree in Mortuary Science from Mount Hood College, Gresham, Oregon, in 1978. Tom managed a funeral home in northwestern North Dakota for thirteen years and joined our firm in 1993.

In addition to being a licensed funeral director, Tom is also a licensed insurance agent in both Minnesota and North Dakota, able to assist families with all aspects of pre-planning their services.

Tom and his wife Brenda make their home in Fargo, ND.

Conrad, a native of Casselton, North Dakota, and graduate of Cardinal Muench Seminary in Fargo, North Dakota, received his in degree Mortuary Science from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas, Texas, in 1994. After serving his internship in Madison, South Dakota, he has spent the last 21 years serving families in communities in northeast North Dakota. In August of 2012, Conrad joined the staff of Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service where he has been honored to serve and care for families.
Conrad and wife, Sharon, and their fur babies (cats) Vinny and Foxy, make their home in south Moorhead. He has one son, Lance Corporal Sheldon Barnes, who is a U.S. Marine stationed in Iwakuni, Japan. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and grilling and is an avid college football fan.

Danelle was born in Fargo, North Dakota and graduated from Fargo North High School. She received her degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma. After moving back to the Fargo-Moorhead area, she started serving her internship at Korsmo Funeral Service, in February 2018. Danelle became a licensed funeral director for Minnesota and North Dakota in 2019.

After graduating from the University of North Dakota with a degree in social work in 1997, Colleen worked as a social worker at MeritCare, Fargo. In 2000 she returned to school to pursue a mortuary science degree at the University of Minnesota. After graduating in 2002, Colleen began he employment with Korsmo Funeral Service where she worked as a licensed funeral director until returning to social work in 2012. Colleen worked at Sanford, Fargo until November 2022 when she returned to Korsmo Funeral Service. Colleen grew up in Elgin, ND.
Colleen is married to Kevin, and they have two children, Grace and James. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, spending time with her family, and watching the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Colleen is a Minnesota and North Dakota licensed Funeral Director, a Minnesota and North Dakota licensed Social Worker and an Advanced Care Planner.