About O'Connell Family Funeral Homes

Carla O’Connell was born and raised in Hudson and graduated from the Hudson High School class of 1991. She graduated from the Medical Institute of Minnesota with an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology. She completed her internship at Stillwater Veterinary Clinic, and never left. She worked there full-time until she had their first child, and still works on an at-need basis.

Carla restored 2 homes in Hudson, one on 5th St. and one on historic Vine Street. Their family lived in Hudson until 1998, when they moved to Baldwin to oversee operations at their Baldwin chapel. Once there, they found 80 beautiful acres of land. Since moving there, they have fenced pastures, bush wacked brush, cut down and planted trees, raised chickens, bred horses, and blazed trails in the woods.

Since 2002, she has been a board member for the Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley, where she enjoys volunteering to promote her passion, early childhood education.

She is also involved in her church, where she sits on the board for the Wednesday night youth program, LOGOS. You will find her every Wednesday night making and serving the homemade meal.

While redesigning and renovating the Hudson and Baldwin locations, she discovered a new love of interior design, where she was an integral part of moving both locations into a serene, welcoming, updated feel.

Mike O’Connell was born in 1969 to Thomas and Janet O’Connell. He was raised in Hudson and graduated with the class of 1988. Growing up as the son of a funeral director, Mike admired the relationship his brother Dan, a fellow funeral director, had with his father, as well as the respect the community gave his father. After high school, Mike attended UW-River Falls and then the University of Minnesota – graduating with a BS in Mortuary Science.

Mike worked as an Intensive Care Paramedic in the Twin Cities, as well as with St. Croix EMS (Hudson) and the Baldwin Ambulance Service. He thoroughly enjoyed his years as a firefighter for the Hudson Fire Department.

Mike has also served as president for the Baldwin-Woodville Area Chamber of Commerce, Baldwin-Woodville Community Foundation, and served as a board member for the St. Croix Family Resource Center.

Mike considers that his greatest success in life is being called ‘Dad’. Mike is a devout Green Bay Packer Backer and Minnesota Twins fan, and when he does have some down time, he likes to try his hand at largemouth bass fishing or working in his vegetable garden. Mike is proud to continue the tradition his family began many years ago. “I find my brother Dan serves as a constant reminder of service and inspiration.”

Lilly Dougherty had her inspiration in the funeral industry from a long and rich history in her family. It began with T.R. Dougherty her great-grandfather at Dougherty Funeral Home in Hibbing, MN. It would continue with her grandpa John and currently her dad Patrick. Lilly attended Mankato State University prior to graduating from the University of Minnesota Mortuary Science. In 2018, she began her career with the O’Connell Family Funeral Home.

Lilly receives the greatest satisfaction from meeting families during their most difficult time and helping them create fitting celebrations of life.

Heidi was born and raised in Barnesville, Minnesota, where she graduated high school in 1991. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota Program of Mortuary Science in 1995, summa cum laude. She worked in St. Paul and Cottage Grove until joining the O’Connell team in January 2023. Heidi finds it a great honor to work with families through all aspects of services chosen.

She is active in her church community, where she chairs the Mission & Outreach Board. Heidi lives in Cottage Grove with her dogs. She has two adult children, one of whom is serving in the U.S. Military.

She is voracious reader (and is pretty proud of the fact that she read 100 books in 2022), enjoys spending time with friends and family, shopping (whether it be thrifting or just finding a good sale), traveling, container gardening, and going to AKC dog event.

Austin Mahanke grew up in Spencer, WI, and graduated from Spencer High School in 2012. Austin moved to River Falls with his high school sweetheart and has worked in several different cheese factories and other manufacturers before joining O’Connell’s in 2019. He is a funeral director apprentice with the State of Wisconsin, and is working towards his Mortuary Science degree. 

Austin is a member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, and is an active member in the River Falls Masonic Lodge #109, the St. Croix Valley Shrine Club, Zor and Ozman Shrines, and St. Paul Valley Scottish Rite.

Born and raised in Northeastern South Dakota. Graduated from High School in 1984. Attended Northern State University and worked as an Apprentice Funeral Director in Aberdeen, S.D. Transferred to the University on MN and graduated in 1988 with a Mortuary Science Degree.

Primarily I have worked as a funeral director in the Twin Cities, proudly joining the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in December of 2023.

I’m married to my wife Teresa. We have two beautiful grown children and live in Cottage Grove, MN. We are active members in a local Lutheran Church.

Time away from work is usually spent doing stuff around the house. I do enjoy cooking and watching Packer games with our family cat Simon.

Destiny grew up in Roseville, MN, with a short stint in the state of Washington then growing roots in Wisconsin. After graduating in 1995 and joining the manufacturing world for 25+ years, Destiny decided to move on to something more fulfilling. She found that fulfillment in helping grieving families navigate through the hardships that come with death. Destiny has volunteered for the Halos annual fundraiser for the last 5 years, before that she volunteered 3 years for the MS mudder.

She is married with 3 wonderful kids, and lots of fur babies.

Katie was born and raised in Hudson where she graduated High School.  After graduation she worked locally for many years as a cosmetologist.  

Since then, Katie went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Psychology, a Bachelor of Science in Ministries, and a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership.  She started a mental health ministry called Finding the Light Project that took her and her family on the road full-time for two years.  

Katie, her husband, and their three boys have now settled back in the area as she looks to help families during their most difficult times with the death of their loved ones.

Emma grew up in Baldwin and graduated in the spring of 2018. Emma attended Stout for a year where she ultimately decided it wasn’t for her and has been searching for her passion since. Looking up to her dad since before she can remember, Emma saw how fulfilling it is to help others especially in a time of grief when they need it the most. She decided to come work with her dad at the funeral home in the fall of 2021. Finding her path and where she fits in best here is now what she’s focused on.

Cindy grew up in Roberts, WI and graduated from St. Croix Central. She previously worked for First Federal Savings Bank in Hudson before coming to work for the O’Connell Family in 1998!

While working at the bank, Cindy got to know Tom & Dan O’Connell by helping to open funeral trust accounts. One day, Tom called to ask if she would be interested in doing the bookkeeping for the funeral home. I believe she may have been the first person on the payroll that didn’t have the last name of O’Connell. Over the years, Cindy took on more hours and more responsibilities. Now her duties include scheduling, filing death certificates and permits, answering phones, processing insurance claims, maintaining human resource matters, and bookkeeping tasks. She has always enjoyed helping people so this job was a great fit. Says Cindy, “I am lucky to have a job where I look forward to going to work. This job is never boring. I am constantly learning new things and the staff at the funeral home are like my second family. I have met a lot of wonderful families while I have been here.”

Karen was born in Fargo, ND, and raised in the small west-central Minnesota town of Campbell.  She graduated from University of MN – Moorhead with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Special Education concentration.  It was at college that Karen met her future husband, Steve.  After graduating they moved to Plainfield, IL, Steve’s hometown.  After two years they decided to move to Minneapolis to be more centrally located to their families.  And then after deciding to start a family they made Ellsworth their new “home”.

Karen worked for RiverTown Newspaper Group for over 25 years.  She brings her experience in accounting and management to O’Connell Funeral Home as the Office Administrator.  Karen feels fortunate to be a working with such caring and passionate people that provide exceptional service to our families in need.

My interest in the medical field began when I was 17 years old, the same year my father died after a long, ugly battle with cancer. My hospice volunteer work in the early 90’s was the catalyst in my pursuit of becoming a registered nurse when I was well into my 40’s. Through my 16 year career as an RN, I had the privilege of assisting as new life entered this world and holding the hand of others leaving this life.

My retirement in 2019 has allowed me more time to enjoy the simple life. Hobbies include flower gardening, learning to play the ukulele, small carpentry projects and volunteer work with the Red Cross and my local church. Yet, the top of the list is time spent with my long time four-legged partner, Jack, a 12 year old Yorkiepoo.

I am the proud mother of two adult children and five granddaughters. The miles between us can be a challenge and goodbye’s often bring a moist eye. Watching my grandchildren grow into adulthood has been one of my life’s biggest joys.

Shirley has been a lifelong residence of the Woodville area. Many will remember her time spent at the First Bank of Baldwin where she worked over 35 years. 

Earlier in life, she enjoyed golfing with the ladies at Glen Hills and was an active member of the Baldwin Hospital Auxiliary. She married the love of her life Leslie ‘Bud’ Rademacher. Together, they made Woodville their home while raising their son Bob.

When Shirley retired from First Bank of Baldwin, she missed the interaction of customers. Being a people person, she was asked by Cecil Dull of the Dull Funeral Home to help work visitations. She agreed only if ‘Buddy’ worked with her. The two started a wonderful relationship with the funeral home and they quickly became landmarks in the community. Sadly, Bud would pass away in 2014. Shirley never missed a beat. After laying her husband to rest, she returned to be the smile that greeted you at services with O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin. Although she took some time away during Covid, she has worked 30 years. “I just love this job. It means so much for me to work with the O’Connell’s.”

Carol was born and raised in River Falls, and married and raised her children there.

She worked with the public often throughout her career, as her in-laws owned the Coachman Supper Club in Baldwin, WI. After the business was sold, she moved to Northfield, MN and started a new job as Tour Manager, traveling with many groups throughout the United States and Canada. When the Covid pandemic began, she retired.

She moved back to the River Falls area to be closer to family, and shortly thereafter, began her position at the O’Connell Family Funeral Homes in December 2022.

Sara was born in Colombia South America and was adopted by her wonderful and loving parents John and Nancy when she was just a baby. She lived in Highland Park, St. Paul for the first 5 years of her young life with her sister and parents. Their family would again lovingly adopt and welcome her brother into their hearts and home. They then moved to Lake Elmo, MN.

Growing up in a loving and supportive family Sara was taught compassion and a love for others first. She naturally developed a love for children and went onto get her childhood certificate and license. She began working in a preschool setting and later bought the childcare center and worked with children in many capacities for 18 years.

Sara and her husband, Chris, moved to the Hudson area in 2019 and have two beautiful children, CJ and Isabel, their greatest blessings.

Sara loves being with her family in any capacity.  Playing games watching movies, swimming at Dad and Moms, hanging out with her brother and his family in Duluth and spending time with her sister and brother-in-law when they come home to visit.  She and her family love to travel together and have been so blessed to go on so many amazing adventures together.

Sara loves going on nature walks, bike rides and playing at the park with her husband and kids.  She loves to relax and enjoys her weekly Bible studies and her Church.

Sara joins the O’Connell family after the loss of her beloved dad who suddenly died just before Christmas of 2022.  She and her family were given such honor and dignity where her dad was, it has given her a new purpose to use her gifts of compassion and love for others to serve those who are going thru one of the hardest trials in their lives.

JoAnn is a lifelong resident of Plum City, WI. She was raised on a dairy farm among the beautiful hills of Pierce County, where she attended St. John’s Catholic School in Plum City and High School in Elmwood, WI. JoAnn has always had a passion for helping others and being ‘the one’ that friends and family looked to for a listening ear, help with a project, or support in difficult times.  JoAnn’s jobs over the years reflect her compassion and willingness to help. She has worked as a CNA, Head Start bus driver, Head Start Teacher and Home Visit Teacher. She retired in 2022 from a nearly 25 year career working for Pierce County Human Services in the Children Youth and Families Unit, where she worked directly with families in crisis or in transition, offering resources, home visits, and guidance helping families to overcome tough issues together as a family. 

She and her husband, Bob, own Bo-Jo’s Creations in Ellsworth. Their shop specializes in creative floral designs for funerals, weddings, and personal celebrations as well as decorated cakes and desserts for weddings and all occasions.  They have had their cake shop since 1984, and the flower shop since 1997, which is where JoAnn was introduced to the funeral industry.  With her many years of experience working with people, it was very natural for her to want to help families in their time of need.  After her retirement, she began working at the Funeral Home part time and enjoys meeting and greeting families and friends, and offering assistance to the directors and staff of the funeral home.

I appreciate the opportunity to support families through O’Connell Funeral Home.

I am blessed with a wonderful family including two sons, Tyler and his wife Nicky, and Zach along with my extended family and friends. I grew up on a family farm and I am grateful for that life. I love nature, dogs, horses and most animals.

My roots are deep serving at First Lutheran Church my entire life. I have grown in my faith journey by teaching, serving and most of all learning how God shows up in my life and others.

I work supporting parents of children with disabilities and mental health needs through my career. My son Zach has autism and he has taught me so much about accepting people for who they are and their abilities.

I enjoy music, concerts, plays, traveling, and sports especially my favorite teams – the Badgers and Packers.

I have learned to believe that in the challenges of life, my faith has grown. I am grateful for working with my fellow servants at O’Connell Funeral Home supporting families. It is an honor to be part of this amazing team.

Karen was born in Baldwin, WI.  She grew up on a dairy farm north of Woodville, WI. After graduation from Baldwin-Woodville H.S., she went on to attend nurses training at Lutheran Deaconess School Of Nursing in Minneapolis, MN. She returned to Baldwin and spent the next 40 years as an R.N. at Baldwin Area Medical Center managing the O.R. and E.R. 

She’s been married 53 years to her husband, David.  They have 2 married daughters and 6 grandchildren. She feels called to help people get through life’s trying and difficult times. Karen serves on the Mission Committee at her church. She is a member of a local book club and garden club.

Julie was born in Illinois, grew up in Michigan and Iowa, and attended college in Wisconsin!  She has been very fortunate to come from a wonderful and loving family with two brothers and Mom and Dad. She had the good fortune to find a teaching position mid-year upon graduating from UW-Stout and taught Home Economics for four years.  She then married her husband, Dave, and they were thrilled to bring three daughters into their lives, all of whom have been very successful working,  and raising 7 wonderful grandchildren, who are very much loved by all of them!

She received her Master’s Degree in Reading at UW-River Falls and taught until she was contacted by St. Mary’s University, while working on her Doctoral degree in Administrative Licensure (Principal and Superintendent positions) to become the Assistant Director for the same program on the graduate level.  From there she was recruited by Hamline University to direct their program. That position was followed by a Principalship in Lakeville and a Charter school in Prior Lake-Savage, MN. 

She is now working on retirement and trying to learn what that means in life!  Working for O’Connell Family Funeral Homes has been a wonderful learning experience.

She was born and raised in Waseca, a small town in southern Minnesota. As one of 6 siblings they always had music in their lives. Serving her church in music ministry with the guitar combo, and playing guitar and trumpet in her family band for weddings and dances at various veteran’s clubs kept her family close. Managed by her mom and chauffeured by dad they traveled around in her dad’s green work van mostly for weddings of their huge family of cousins, county fairs, and other gatherings.

As a people person she has worked in various settings including a nursing home, day care center, and several adult group homes. She attended St. Benedict College and graduated with a degree in Social Work. After meeting her husband, Pat who is from Chippewa Falls, WI they settled in Coon Rapids, MN where she worked as a social worker for a group home serving adults with developmental disabilities while he finished grad school. There they started a family including two girls and twin boys before moving to Hudson, WI where they have been since 1995. Shortly thereafter, she opened a home day care while the children were young and remained in business for 28 years before retiring in June 2023. She has been actively involved in school and community activities while raising a family and continuing to serve others through opportunities at St. Patrick Parish in Hudson including music ministry. She loves playing guitar and singing, helping others, spending time with her growing family and friends, reading books, taking walks, riding bike, campfires, going out for drinks and dinner, and having more time to travel.

Greg’s prior work experiences included 27 years at Spartan Promotional Group as a Financial Controller and 28+ years with the Lower St Croix Valley Fire Department as a paid on call Firefighter & Chief Officer. It was at Spartan that Greg met Tom and Janet O’Connell and struck up many conversations over the years about the funeral business. His recent retirement afforded him more time to explore working with O’Connell’s as a hearse driver beginning in 2022. He considers himself fortunate to be part of such a wonderful and caring team at O’Connells.

Caring presence and solid strength make Brian a good fit supporting families as they grieve loss of loved ones, and driving hearse feels a good way to lend his helpfulness. A proud family man, Brian, and his wife, Kathy, have three children, four grandchildren, and recently welcomed their first great-grandchild to the family. Retired as a Senior Designer in computer-aided drafting and design for the Donaldson Company, Brian’s other interests include traveling with Kathy, motorcycling, road-tripping, hunting, fitness, and spending time with his springer spaniel, Ollie.

Trained and experienced as a Certified Funeral Celebrant, Kathleen Helgeson, MA, CFLE, considers it a privilege to support grieving families by creating services that are individualized to reflect the personality and life-style of their loved one who has died. In partnership with our caring staff, meeting with family members, listening to their hearts and their memories is an important part of the planning process for creating a meaningful service. She believes that each service should be specifically tailored to honor how distinctly unique the life lived and the gifts given by the loved one we remember.

Kathleen feels incredibly blessed to have affiliated since 2010 with our compassionate professionals dedicated to providing funeral, memorial, tribute or prayer services. She also regularly partners with us in a continuum of caring we provide for grieving community members by facilitating Paths to Peace Grief Support Groups in both the Hudson and Baldwin communities.

In her private practice, CrossBridge Family Solutions, LLC, Kathleen supports grieving individuals and families utilizing Companioning and Coaching models of grief-work care. She holds a BS in Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapy, and an MA in Family Life Education with an emphasis on Bereavement and Spiritual Care. Kathleen understands that it takes time and processing our many emotions, thoughts, and experiences to restore a sense of wholeness again after the loss of someone we love, and she tailors grief-work care to meet individualized needs of each person and family with whom she walks. 

From Bird Hunter to Heartwarming Grief Therapy Dog.

Born at Good Going Kennels in Baldwin, Finnegan, a pure-bred English Setter renowned for hunting skills, discovered a different calling—spreading love and joy. Despite his initial prowess in hunting, Finnegan’s true talents lie in wagging his tail and bringing people happiness. Much like his breed, he is a devoted and loyal pet, finding utmost joy in family walks and flavorful rawhide treats.

Finnegan has a little partner in crime, Potato, a spunky Welsh Corgi who’s always up for some playful antics. They’re quite the dynamic duo!

Finnegan’s easy-going demeanor found a purpose as a grief therapy dog, bringing comfort to those in need. Dogs, with their unconditional love, play a significant role in healing from loss.

For more information on how Finnegan can bring you or your family comfort, please contact us.