Staff

At Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, we are honored to have earned the trust and confidence placed in us by those that we serve. We pledge to offer respectful and dignified professional service, service that a family should expect, service that a family deserves. From the time the first phone call is received, throughout the service and beyond, each staff member at our funeral home contributes in an important way.

 

 

 Debora Nokes

Office Manager

Deb is a Grant county native who grew up and graduated from high school in Barrett. After attending college, being married, and moving to Wyoming and then to North Dakota, Deb returned to Grant County in 1980. She lives in the country where she has her horse, barns, cats, and plenty of work to do outdoors. 

Deb has been a member of St. Olaf’s Catholic Church in Elbow Lake since 1985, where she has served as president of the Christian Mothers, and currently sits on the church council and is the music coordinator for the parish. 

She and her husband Les enjoy traveling to visit grandchildren who live in Tulsa and Bismarck, and spending time with those who live in Fergus Falls as well.

Deb has been with the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake and Hoffman since 1996. She considers it a great honor to serve the families in her community. 

 Doug Nelson

Licensed Funeral Director

Doug comes from a funeral service background, where both his grandfather and father were active in the business in Brooten, Minnesota. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Doug served his apprenticeship at the Hoplin Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Following his service in the United States Army, Doug moved to Fergus Falls where he worked as a licensed director at the Glende-Johnson Funeral Home. Doug eventually purchased the Funeral Home which he continues to manage today. In 2006, Doug began managing the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home.

Doug and his wife Virginia live in Fergus Falls and have two married daughters. Doug and his wife are active members of Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. He is also a member of the Otter Risers Kiwanis, the VFW and the Ashby American Legion.

 Rick Mekalson

Licensed Funeral Director

Rick was born and raised in Battle Lake, Minnesota. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, he worked at funeral homes in Virginia, Minnesota, as well as the Bertha area. In 1995, Rick joined the staff at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home & Cremation Service and in 2006, he joined the staff at Erickson-Smith Funeral Home.

Rick and his wife Ann live in Battle Lake and have three sons and two grandsons. Rick is a member of the Battle Lake Lions Club and of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.

 Chris Carlson

Licensed Funeral Director

Chris comes from a funeral service background as well. He grew up and attended school in Page, North Dakota, where his father owned and operated the Lindsey-Carlson Funeral Home. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, he worked at funeral homes in Starbuck and Morris, Minnesota. In 2004, Chris moved to Fergus Falls, and joined the staff at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home & Cremation Service and in 2006, joined the staff at Erickson-Smith Funeral Home.  

Chris and his wife Brenda have two daughters and one son.

 Andrew Yaggie

Licensed Funeral Director

A native of Thief River Falls, MN, Andrew joined the staff of Erickson-Smith in June of 2011. Even though he comes from a farming background, Andrew has always had an interest in funeral service. 

After graduating from high school, Andrew attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND, graduating with a B.S. in Business Management, in 2009. He went on to earn a B.S. in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota in 2010, serving his apprenticeship with Mueller Mortuaries in St. Paul/White Bear Lake, MN. 

Outside of the funeral home, Andrew still enjoys helping out on the family farms in Breckenridge and around the Thief River Falls area. He also enjoys weekends at the family lake cabin on Ottertail Lake, golfing, flying, and is a talented musician, playing the piano and organ.  Andrew is a member of the Lakes Area Pilots Association of Elbow Lake.

 Billy Jo Smith

Pre-Arrangement Specialist

 Diane Kapphahn

Support Staff 

 Arlou Swenson

Support Staff 

 Lloyd Christopherson

Support Staff