History
Michaelson Funeral Home has been serving Owatonna, West Concord and Kenyon area families for years. We are honored to be a part of the rich history of this community and plan to be a part of it for many years to come.
William H. Montgomery was the founder of our business. On October 1, 1887 he moved from his Meriden area farm to start a furniture and undertaking business in a store front on Bridge street where the former Hudrlik Furniture business was located. Mr. Montgomery invited his brother-in-law, Wilbur C. Boice, to move to Owatonna from New York and become a partner in his business. In so doing, Mr. Boice became one of the first licensed embalmers in Minnesota. In 1907 Mr. Boice brought his brother-in-law, Homer Hanna into the partnership.
In 1921, William Meyer joined the partnership and became the driving force behind the construction of a new funeral home facility located at 303 S. Cedar Ave. It was completed in 1937 and opened for business in January, 1938. Mr. Meyer sold his interests to Mr. L.E. Conley in 1942. Mr. Conley changed the name of the business to Conley Funeral Chapel. Mr. Conley operated the business until 1965 when he sold his interest to Darryl Wollin. Mr. Wollin changed the name to Conley-Wollin Funeral Chapel.
Gene Michaelson purchased the business January 1, 1979, changing the name to Michaelson Funeral Home. He also acquired the West Concord Funeral Chapel at that time. Cory Michaelson joined the firm June 1, 1996. The present facility at 1930 Austin Rd., Owatonna, was built in 1998 and occupied for business on November 1, 1998. Cory Michaelson purchased the funeral homes October 1, 2006. On July 10, 2008 Cory purchased the Hanson Funeral Home in nearby Kenyon. We continue to be one of the oldest continually operated businesses in Steele County. We consider it a privilege to serve our community.
