Cory Michaelson
Owner/Funeral Director
Cory attended St. Cloud State Univ. and the Univ. of Minnesota graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science. He worked with his father at Michaelson Funeral Home throughout his school years and continued as a licensed Funeral Director / Mortician since 1996. Cory graduated from Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota earning a Master of Business Administration degree in 2014.
Cory Michaelson
Owner/Funeral Director
Cory attended St. Cloud State Univ. and the Univ. of Minnesota graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science. He worked with his father at Michaelson Funeral Home throughout his school years and continued as a licensed Funeral Director / Mortician since 1996. Cory graduated from Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota earning a Master of Business Administration degree in 2014.
Corbin Brocker
Funeral Director
Corbin Brocker grew up and attended school in Lake Crystal, Minnesota. After high school, he attended Riverland Community College receiving an Associates of Arts degree. Corbin then served four years in the United States Navy before returning to school at the University of Minnesota, and graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science.
Corbin and his wife Laura are very excited to be a part of the Owatonna community. Corbin and Laura are proud parents of a rescue dog, Denver. Outside of work, he enjoys watching and playing soccer, driving around in the Jeep with the doors off, going to the gym and spending time with family and friends. He is looking forward to helping families honor their loved in a personal and meaningful way. He joined Michaelson funeral home in January 2021.
Corbin Brocker
Funeral Director
Corbin Brocker grew up and attended school in Lake Crystal, Minnesota. After high school, he attended Riverland Community College receiving an Associates of Arts degree. Corbin then served four years in the United States Navy before returning to school at the University of Minnesota, and graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science.
Corbin and his wife Laura are very excited to be a part of the Owatonna community. Corbin and Laura are proud parents of a rescue dog, Denver. Outside of work, he enjoys watching and playing soccer, driving around in the Jeep with the doors off, going to the gym and spending time with family and friends. He is looking forward to helping families honor their loved in a personal and meaningful way. He joined Michaelson funeral home in January 2021.
Bridgett Leatherberry
Funeral Director
Bridgett comes from rural Wisconsin, graduating from Hillsboro High School in 2015. She attended Upper Iowa University, graduating in 2019, with a bachelor's degree in mortuary science and a master's degree in business administration. To continue her mortuary science education, Bridgett attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois, where she graduated September of 2020. She is currently licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
Bridgett and her husband, Ethan, moved to Owatonna in April of 2025. They have two cats, Tater and Henry. When she isn't at the funeral home, Bridgett enjoys reading, painting, and spending time at community events. Her one goal is to serve families with the dignity and respect that she would want her own family treated with. Bridgett is a member of the Owatonna Business Women.
Bridgett Leatherberry
Funeral Director
Bridgett comes from rural Wisconsin, graduating from Hillsboro High School in 2015. She attended Upper Iowa University, graduating in 2019, with a bachelor's degree in mortuary science and a master's degree in business administration. To continue her mortuary science education, Bridgett attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois, where she graduated September of 2020. She is currently licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
Bridgett and her husband, Ethan, moved to Owatonna in April of 2025. They have two cats, Tater and Henry. When she isn't at the funeral home, Bridgett enjoys reading, painting, and spending time at community events. Her one goal is to serve families with the dignity and respect that she would want her own family treated with. Bridgett is a member of the Owatonna Business Women.
John Schroeder
Funeral Director
John is a 1988 graduate of Hutchinson High School. He received his bachelor’s degrees in biology/chemistry from Mankato State University in 1993, and Mortuary Science from the University of MN in 1995. During his career in funeral service, John has had the honor of serving families in Hutchinson, Mankato, and Lindstrom. He joined Michaelson Funeral Home in June 2025. John and his wife Cindy enjoy rock hunting along the North Shore, kayaking, and walks with their two pups Phoebe and Kai.
John Schroeder
Funeral Director
John is a 1988 graduate of Hutchinson High School. He received his bachelor’s degrees in biology/chemistry from Mankato State University in 1993, and Mortuary Science from the University of MN in 1995. During his career in funeral service, John has had the honor of serving families in Hutchinson, Mankato, and Lindstrom. He joined Michaelson Funeral Home in June 2025. John and his wife Cindy enjoy rock hunting along the North Shore, kayaking, and walks with their two pups Phoebe and Kai.
Emma Neeser
Funeral Director Intern
Emma Neeser was born and raised in Owatonna, Minnesota where she graduated from Owatonna Senior High School in 2021. After high school, she attended Winona State University receiving an Associates of Arts degree and a minor in Ethics. She then furthered her education at the University of Minnesota and graduated in 2025, with a bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science.
Emma and her husband, Jack, recently moved back to Owatonna and are excited to be a part of the community. In her free time, Emma enjoys getting coffee, reading, spending time with her cat, and being outside. She is looking forward to supporting families with compassion and care during life’s most difficult moments.
Emma Neeser
Funeral Director Intern
Emma Neeser was born and raised in Owatonna, Minnesota where she graduated from Owatonna Senior High School in 2021. After high school, she attended Winona State University receiving an Associates of Arts degree and a minor in Ethics. She then furthered her education at the University of Minnesota and graduated in 2025, with a bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science.
Emma and her husband, Jack, recently moved back to Owatonna and are excited to be a part of the community. In her free time, Emma enjoys getting coffee, reading, spending time with her cat, and being outside. She is looking forward to supporting families with compassion and care during life’s most difficult moments.
Julie Rethemeier
Funeral Assistant/Office Administrator
Julie and her husband Eric, live in Owatonna and have two adult children. Julie retired from a 35-year career with Federated Insurance. She stays active in retirement with her involvement in Rotary, Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, serving as a Director on the Profinium Bank board as well as the Benedictine Living Community Board. She is also leading the effort to bring back the Memorial Day Parade and is serving on the Oak Hill Community Connections fundraising team. She enjoys spending time with family, long walks, coffee with friends, travel and Bible Study.
Julie Rethemeier
Funeral Assistant/Office Administrator
Julie and her husband Eric, live in Owatonna and have two adult children. Julie retired from a 35-year career with Federated Insurance. She stays active in retirement with her involvement in Rotary, Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, serving as a Director on the Profinium Bank board as well as the Benedictine Living Community Board. She is also leading the effort to bring back the Memorial Day Parade and is serving on the Oak Hill Community Connections fundraising team. She enjoys spending time with family, long walks, coffee with friends, travel and Bible Study.
Gene 'Swede' Michaelson
Funeral Director
Gene served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 - 1970. He attended St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science. Gene worked as a funeral director in Owatonna and Austin, MN before purchasing the funeral home in Owatonna in Jan. 1979. He has been a licensed funeral director since 1972.
Gene 'Swede' Michaelson
Funeral Director
Gene served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 - 1970. He attended St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science. Gene worked as a funeral director in Owatonna and Austin, MN before purchasing the funeral home in Owatonna in Jan. 1979. He has been a licensed funeral director since 1972.
James "Jim" Schull
Funeral Assistant
Jim is a retired dairy farmer. He lives with his wife, Linda, of 58 years on the family farm. They have 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Jim has worked for the funeral home for the past 17 years and enjoys working with the staff and the families we serve.
James "Jim" Schull
Funeral Assistant
Jim is a retired dairy farmer. He lives with his wife, Linda, of 58 years on the family farm. They have 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Jim has worked for the funeral home for the past 17 years and enjoys working with the staff and the families we serve.
William "Bill" Samuels
Funeral Assistant
Bill enjoys riding his motorcycles and playing a good game of golf.
Bill likes to travel with his wife and spend time with his kids and granddaughter.
William "Bill" Samuels
Funeral Assistant
Bill enjoys riding his motorcycles and playing a good game of golf.
Bill likes to travel with his wife and spend time with his kids and granddaughter.
John Compton
Funeral Assistant
John retired from Federated Insurance. John is married to Renee and they have 2 grown children. John enjoys maintaining his acreage and spending time with their labrador retrievers. John and his wife enjoy attending sporting events especially college football games. John enjoys staying in shape while working out at the fitness center, jogging and likes to hunt.
John Compton
Funeral Assistant
John retired from Federated Insurance. John is married to Renee and they have 2 grown children. John enjoys maintaining his acreage and spending time with their labrador retrievers. John and his wife enjoy attending sporting events especially college football games. John enjoys staying in shape while working out at the fitness center, jogging and likes to hunt.
Gene Nelson
Funeral Assistant
Gene graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1980 and then received by B.S. in Computer Science from Winona State in 1984. Gene worked at Federated Insurance for over 38 years before retiring in 2021. Gene met his wife, Julie, after moving to Owatonna and married in 1986. They have two adult children, Jeff and Joe. Gene likes to read, garden a little and bake. He enjoys making fudge, truffles and lefse during the holidays.
Gene Nelson
Funeral Assistant
Gene graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1980 and then received by B.S. in Computer Science from Winona State in 1984. Gene worked at Federated Insurance for over 38 years before retiring in 2021. Gene met his wife, Julie, after moving to Owatonna and married in 1986. They have two adult children, Jeff and Joe. Gene likes to read, garden a little and bake. He enjoys making fudge, truffles and lefse during the holidays.
