A Legacy of Compassion Since 1926

The O'Connell family's commitment to funeral service spans nearly a century. The original O'Connell Furniture & Undertaking was established in Hudson in 1926 by Frank O'Connell, one of the earliest graduates of the prestigious University of Minnesota Mortuary Science program. Frank's vision was simple: to provide compassionate, dignified care to families during life's most difficult moments.

When Frank passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 33, his wife, Myra, courageously carried that vision forward, becoming one of the few women of her era to own and operate a funeral home. Together with their family, the O'Connells faithfully served the Hudson community from their Locust Street funeral home until the business was sold following World War II.

Nearly forty years later, the family legacy returned home. In 1985, Tom O'Connell, a graduate of the same University of Minnesota Mortuary Science program and a funeral director with more than three decades of experience, reintroduced the O'Connell name to Hudson. He opened a new, modern funeral home on 11th Street with a renewed commitment to compassionate, family-centered care. Tom helped establish one of western Wisconsin's most respected family-owned funeral homes. What began with a single funeral home has grown into a network of locations serving families throughout St. Croix and Pierce Counties, while remaining firmly rooted in the same values that guided Frank O'Connell nearly 100 years ago.

The O'Connell family's journey has not been without profound loss. In 2002, tragedy touched both the O'Connell family and the Hudson community with the tragic loss of funeral director Dan O'Connell. The overwhelming support shown by thousands of families, friends, and neighbors became a powerful reminder of the countless lives Dan had touched through his compassion, kindness, and servant's heart. His legacy continues to inspire the work we do each day.

Following the passing of Tom and Janet O'Connell, Mike O'Connell accepted the responsibility of carrying forward the family legacy that began generations earlier. Together with his wife, Carla, they continue to build upon that foundation while embracing new ideas, advancing technology, and creating meaningful, personalized ways to celebrate every life entrusted to their care.

Nearly a century has passed since Frank O'Connell first opened the doors in Hudson. While funeral service has changed in many ways, one thing has never changed: the O'Connell family's unwavering belief that every life deserves to be honored with compassion, dignity, and a meaningful celebration of the story it leaves behind.

Continuing a Baldwin Tradition

The Baldwin chapel represents another chapter in the preservation of a long-standing community tradition. Funeral service in Baldwin traces its roots back to 1924, when Edwin and Ruth Skari established their furniture and undertaking business. Like many funeral homes of the time, they not only cared for families following a death but also provided ambulance transportation long before modern EMS systems existed.

The tradition of compassionate care continued through the years under the ownership of Cecil Dull, whose dedication and service made Dull Funeral Home a trusted name throughout the Baldwin community. After faithfully serving local families for many years, Cecil retired in 1998, entrusting the funeral home to the O'Connell family.

For several years, O'Connell Family Funeral Homes continued serving families from the original funeral home while planning for the future. In 2005, a new, modern facility was constructed on the same site, featuring spacious gathering areas, a reception kitchen, and one of the region's first privately owned on-site crematories. The new funeral home reflected the family's commitment to providing comfort, convenience, and personalized service while honoring the legacy established by the Skari and Dull families.

Today, the Baldwin chapel remains an important part of O'Connell Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services. Although the facilities have evolved over the years, the mission has remained unchanged: to provide compassionate guidance, meaningful celebrations of life, and personal care to every family entrusted to us.

Preserving a Legacy Across Pierce County

In 2016, O'Connell Family Funeral Homes continued its commitment to preserving locally owned funeral service by acquiring the Hill Funeral Home locations serving Prescott, River Falls, and Ellsworth, including the historic Cashman Funeral Home in River Falls.

The history of these funeral homes reaches back generations. Families throughout Pierce County had long been served by funeral homes bearing the names McLaughlin Funeral Home, Winberg-McLaughlin Funeral Home, and later Hill-McLaughlin Funeral Home. As ownership evolved through the decades, each generation helped shape the history of funeral service within these communities.

The acquisition represented more than the addition of three locations. It reflected the O'Connell family's belief that locally owned funeral homes remain an important part of the communities they serve. By preserving their history while investing in their future, the O'Connell family ensured that families throughout Pierce County would continue receiving personalized, family-centered care close to home.

Today, the Prescott, River Falls, and Ellsworth chapels continue serving their communities as part of O'Connell Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services. While each location carries its own unique history, all are united by the same mission: to provide compassionate guidance, meaningful celebrations of life, and personalized service that honors every individual's story.

A Tradition of Caring in Spring Valley

The history of Keehr Funeral Home reaches back more than ninety years and reflects a long tradition of family-owned funeral service in Spring Valley.

The story began with Palmer G. Geving, who relocated his furniture and undertaking business from Baldwin to Spring Valley in 1934, establishing Geving Furniture & Undertaking. Like many funeral homes of that era, the business grew from the furniture trade, when local craftsmen built caskets and personally cared for families during their time of loss. 

In 1951, Palmer's son-in-law, Donald Keehr, joined the family business after graduating from the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science. Don worked alongside Palmer and his brother-in-law, Allan Geving, operating Geving and Keehr Furniture & Funeral Service before establishing Keehr Funeral Home in 1972. 

That same year, Don's son, Ross Keehr, began helping at the funeral home. After becoming a licensed funeral director in 1978, Ross continued the family's commitment to personalized care and assumed leadership of the funeral home following Don's passing in 1984. Together with his wife, Beth, Ross faithfully served Spring Valley and the surrounding communities for more than four decades, earning the trust and friendship of generations of local families. 

In 2026, the Keehr family entrusted O'Connell Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services with the privilege of continuing that legacy. While ownership has changed, the mission remains the same: to provide compassionate guidance, meaningful celebrations of life, and personal care to every family who walks through our doors.

Much like the Keehr family, the O'Connell family also traces its roots in funeral service back to 1926. For nearly a century, both families have shared a common belief that funeral service is more than a profession. It is a calling built upon compassion, integrity, and a commitment to honoring every life with dignity.

Today, O'Connell Family Funeral Homes is honored to carry forward the tradition established by the Geving and Keehr families. We recognize that a funeral home is more than a building. It is a place where memories are shared, lives are celebrated, and communities come together during life's most difficult moments. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the families of Spring Valley with the same personal care and hometown values that have defined this funeral home for generations.

Our Logo

To the people of Ireland, there is no symbol that represents love in a more meaningful way than the Claddagh. Worn as a romantic ring or friendship ring, it means, “In Love and Friendship, Let Us Reign.” The three branches of the rings include the heart, hands, and crown. The heart symbolizes love, the hands friendship, and the crown loyalty. The O’Connells strive to pay tribute to these attributes when we celebrate a life lived.