Our Staff

David Klassen

Funeral Director

David Klassen realized his passion for funeral service at a family funeral.  He observed the care of the funeral director and decided then and there to pursue it as a career.

As well as being a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan, David holds a degree in music and counselling.  David worked with and was mentored by Perry Bulbuck for more than 27 years, before Perry’s unexpected death.

David is a member of the Funeral Board of Manitoba.  He enjoys volunteering on various committees and community events.  He and his wife Melissa are members of the Russell Alliance Church.

David and his wife Melissa have 4 children and 6 grandchildren, and he loves spending time with them.  He has many other interests revolving around music and sports.

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Bryce Paterson

Funeral Director

Bryce Paterson was born and raised in Hamiota, Manitoba.  He found his calling in his teen years to commit his life to serving families during their grief. Bryce serves his families with care and compassion.  He has been fortunate to serve families with a great team of professionals since he began with The 110 group in 1998. He is a certified Funeral Director and Embalmer in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan.  He began his training in 2004 through the Western School of Funeral Service and graduated with honours. Bryce & his wife Michelle enjoy spending time with their daughters Michaela and Évangéline, as well as having quality time with family and friends.

Rick Thom

Funeral Director

As a young man, Rick Thom was impacted by the death of his mother and wanted to be able to assist others as they went through the grief process. The memories he carries gives him reason to minister into the lives of the families he serves.  Rick has heart for the people he serves and listens to the families as they share their stories.  He strives to assist them in planning a funeral that will honour the life of their loved one.

Rick began working with Braendle-Bruce Funeral Service in 1977, having graduated from the Western School of Mortuary Practice.  He is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Manitoba and a licensed Funeral Director in Saskatchewan.  Rick has also completed numerous continuing education courses to better support the families he serves.

 Rick and his wife Wendy, who is the pastor of the Shoal Lake Baptist Church, have resided in Shoal Lake since 1988 and have two married sons and three grandchildren whom they love to spend time with.

Lori Gallant

Office Administrator

Lori was born in Russell, MB and currently lives in her hometown of Angusville, MB. She graduated from Major Pratt Collegiate in Russell with a business diploma.

Lori began working as the office administrator for Braendle-Bruce Funeral Service in March 2001. Lori enjoys working with the families she serves.

After experiencing the loss of her husband at a young age, she believes in the importance to giving more than is asked for. Special attention and personalization add so much to funeral service.

Lori and her late husband Lorne have two sons; Kyle and his wife Kim who live in Winnipeg and Colin who lives in Calgary.  Lori is an active member and serves on the parish council for St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Russell, MB.  Lori also volunteers for the care and maintenance of St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in the RM of Riding Mountain West.

Donna Chastko

Funeral Assistant

Donna currently resides in Shoal Lake, she was born in Virden and raised on a century farm North of Oak Lake.

Donna has her diploma from the Canadian School of Floral Art and along with her husband has a mixed farm.  She joined the funeral home is 2012, and happily assists in any way she can.

She and her husband Tom have four adult children and four grandchildren.  She enjoys gardening, cooking and cattle.  Donna is a busy volunteer in the Shoal Lake area being active with the hall/rink, Shoal Lake Agriculture Society, Donor’s Choice and church groups.

John Derhak

Funeral Assistant/Maintenance

John was born and raised in Sandy Lake, Manitoba and currently resides in Oakburn, Manitoba.  You may remember John from his time owning the Oakburn Food Town, Feedstand and LiquorMart.  John joined the funeral home in 2015 as a Funeral Assistant.  John has many talents and also offers expertise in the area of maintenance and projects. 

John enjoys “laking it”, golf, baseball, hunting, fishing, reading, yard work and gardening.  He also enjoys playing and doing things with his wife Joan; children Larrisa, Brad and Kyle; and his grandchildren.

John is active with the 20/20 Committee, Oakburn and District Lions Club, Oakburn Rec. Association Board and he serves as a councillor with the R.M. of Yellowhead.

Dick Edgeworth

Funeral Assistant

Dick and his wife Brenda reside in Shoal Lake, Manitoba.  Dick attended Manitoba Fire College and has attained Level I Firefighter, Level II Instructor and his Fire Inspection Level III accreditations.  Dick has worked with MTS, Twin Valley Coop and ShurGro Farm Services, as well as the funeral home.  Dick enjoys golfing, fishing and watching sports.  He is a volunteer with the Shoal Lake Community Foundation and the Royal Canadian Legion.

Lil Kelunick

Funeral Assistant

Bob Lepischak

Funeral Assistant

Clint McLaren

Funeral Assistant

Sandi McLaren

Florist

Fraser Moffat

Funeral Assistant

Fraser was raised on the family farm in McConell, Manitoba until the age of 14, when the family moved to Strathclair.  Fraser worked for the Strathclair Co-op for 18 years and retired from farming in 2002.  He does continue to raise laying hens.  Fraser joined the funeral home in 2015.  His quiet, helpful demeanor serves him well as he helps others through the funeral service.

Fraser and his wife Barbara have four children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Merv Starzyk

Funeral Assistant

Shauna Gerelus

Funeral Director

Shauna Gerelus has been in funeral service since 1989 and continues to be driven by her passion to assist families in their time of need.  Her interest began with intrigue about the concept of death while she was a student at Brandon University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in both Sociology and Religion.  While attending the funeral for a close elderly neighbour Shauna decided that funeral service was the career path she needed to pursue.  In 1991 she graduated as a Funeral Director and Embalmer from the Western School of Mortuary Practice. Shauna is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Manitoba, and a licensed Funeral Director in Saskatchewan. She finds working with families very rewarding and genuine.

Shauna and her partner Cliff have one daughter and they enjoy time riding their horses.