Staff
Our dedicated staff are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.
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.
Sean comes to Michaelson Funeral Homes with over 30 years of funeral experience. A 1993 graduate of The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science with a bachelor's degree. In his career, Sean has worked for both the private family side and the corporate side in the industry. Being a first generation funeral director, Sean has learned from the start that hard work does pay off. He had a lot of guidance and mentors to get him to where he is today. Sean understands the importance of being apart of the community in which you live. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, a Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th degree member, an American Legion member, a Masonic Lodge 33rd degree member, Owatonna Rotary Club, Owatonna Chamber of Commerce member, a member of the Owatonna Country Club, a licensed funeral, embalmer and certified crematory operator in Ohio, Virginia and North Carolina. Sean served 14 years in the military having been honorably discharged with an E-6 rank.
Sean and his wife, Kim, are excited to be a part of this great community and will get to know its great history and continue the traditions that the Michaelson Family started over 50 years ago. Having 5 children and 4 grandchildren, Sean and Kim know the importance of family values. They love to be out in the community going to art fairs, craft shows, supporting the local athletic groups and of course, the great county fairs. Sean and Kim also have a fox red labrador named "Chief".
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Matt is a lifelong resident of Owatonna and he and his wife, Karen, are the proud parents of 3 daughters. A 1988 graduate of St. John's University, he recently retired from Federated Insurance after 33 years. In addition, Matt has always been a civic-minded person, having spent 8 years on the city planning commission. 13 years on the Owatonna Fire Department and currently serving as chairman on the Airport Commission. He is a active member of St. Joseph's Parish and the Knights of Columbus as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters. In his spare time, Matt enjoys reading, gardening, biking and vacationing.
