About us

Alan is from Hastings, MN, and has been married to his wife, Kyra, for 28 years. They have four children: Logan, Grant, Zachary, and Kennedy.

In addition to his job at Twin Cities Trade Services, Alan is an EMT for Cannon Falls Ambulance and is and EMT/firefighter for the Hastings Fire Department. Previously, Alan worked as the Director of Buildings and Grounds for the Red Wing school district for four years. He started there in 2011 as a maintenance technician for grounds and the arena. During his years with the school district, he enjoyed working with the public and established many great relationships.

“I love what I do for Twin Cities Trade Services. This job allows me to share my compassion, care, and sympathy with every family we serve.”

In his free time, Alan enjoys fishing, spending time with family, lawn care, and cooking.

Rochelle has been a funeral director since 2011, also joining the staff of Twin Cities Trade Services in 2011. She is honored to be able to serve the funeral homes that use our services and their families. She attended the University of Minnesota and graduated in 2010 from the Department of Mortuary Science. In her spare time, Rochelle enjoys hiking, biking, yoga, antiquing, playing violin, and spending time with her family and friends.

Mary Peterson grew up in Vermillion, MN, and earned her degree in Business Management and Communication from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. With more than a decade of experience in Human Resources across both large and small organizations, Mary brings a wealth of knowledge and a people-first approach to building strong, positive, and high-performing workplace cultures. She is passionate about supporting both organizations and employees and creating environments where people can thrive.

Outside of work, Mary enjoys making the most of life with her husband and son. As a family, they love spending time on the water, traveling, and creating memories with their many nieces and nephews.

Mary is honored to be part of the Starkson Family team and looks forward to building meaningful relationships, supporting employees, and serving the organization with integrity, compassion, and respect.

Jesse was born and raised in Faribault, and graduated from the University of Minnesota’s Program of Mortuary Science. Jesse began his career in funeral service in Faribault and their sister chapels in Waseca and Janesville. He and his wife, Katie, later moved to Hastings where he worked at Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home until purchasing the business from Steve Smidt in the fall of 2016. Since then, he also acquired the Wise Family Funeral & Cremation Service from Michael and Mary Wise, and have merged the two business and renamed it to Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings. He’s proud to carry the history of both funeral homes forward as they provide excellent care to the Hastings and surrounding communities. Jesse is married to Katie (Monahan) Starkson, and they have two children, Declan and Charlotte "Charli". In his free time, Jesse enjoys spending time with his family Up North, flying, and spending time outdoors. He also enjoys being active with the Regina Medical Center’s Advisory Board, Program of Mortuary Science Advisory Board, Hastings Public Safety Advisory Board, as well as other various community focus groups. Jesse and his family are members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Vermillion.

Katie was born and raised in Waseca, Minnesota, the oldest of 3 children. She graduated from Waseca High School and Concordia University-St. Paul. Katie married Jesse Starkson in 2013 and they have two children, Declan and Charlotte, who reside in Hastings. She enjoys a good latte, traveling, attending community events, helping friends & family with design projects and planning events, taking drives in the Model A, and trying new restaurants. As a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Vermillion, Katie and Jesse volunteer their time and talents at church and St. John's school. Katie is also active in the Hastings community serving on the board of directors at TLC of Hastings.

Born and raised in Hastings, Michael Wise graduated from Hastings High School in 1990 before attending his first two years of college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He later transferred to the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with a BS degree in Mortuary Science in 1994. After graduation, Michael worked for a family-owned funeral home in Minneapolis/Edina, where he managed their Edina Chapel. It was here that he met his wife, Mary.

Michael and Mary married in 1998 and, in 2001, moved back to Hastings to own and operate the Wise Family Funeral Home & Crematory (formerly Ellis Wise Funeral Home). On August 17, 2018, Michael and Mary joined forces with Caturia, Smidt & Starkson Funeral Home, where the Starksons took ownership of the Wise Family Funeral Home, and Michael, Mary, and their staff became part of the team. Both couples are committed to a long-lasting, collaborative effort in serving the families of the Hastings community.

Michael has been deeply involved in the Hastings community, serving on various boards and in volunteer roles, including at Augustana Nursing Home, Park Ridge Communities, Knights of Columbus, and the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Cemetery Board. He has also served as past President of the United Way of Hastings, Oak Ridge Manor Board, Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Council. Michael currently serves as a member of the Regina Foundation Board of Directors.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time with his daughter, Grace, and son, Griffin. Family is his priority, and any opportunity to travel with them is cherished. Michael also enjoys staying active at Hastings CrossFit and loves golfing.