The Harder Funeral Home staff is dedicated to professionalism but, more importantly, they are kind, empathetic and sincere. Our staff is truly our best asset and they put caring, loving faces to the name of our business.

Upon requesting Harder Funeral Home services, our knowledgeable funeral professionals will be put to work for you. Our family will help guide your family through every step of the journey in order to provide your loved one with the service and memorial they deserve. We won’t complete any part of the process without first explaining our options to you in depth. Our community of funeral home professionals are happy to make recommendations upon your request, take care of all the details, large and small, and help personalize services for your loved ones.

Reach out to any of our professionals with your questions today.

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Eric Harder Funeral Director / President

Eric was born and raised in Brookfield where he graduated from Brookfield East High School. Being a third generation funeral director, Eric grew up in the industry working alongside his grandfather, Herman and father, Dean. At the age of 16, Eric began working part time, mowing lawns and helping maintain the building. In 1992, he started full time while attending the Funeral Service program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. In 1995 Eric graduated from the program and continued to follow in the family path, eventually taking on an ownership position.

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Ryan Harder Funeral Director

Ryan received his funeral director's license in 2022 and is the 4th generation at Harder Funeral Home.

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Steve C. Yunto Funeral Director / General Manager

Steve was born to Garret and Helen Yunto in Waupun, WI in 1956. He grew up on the family dairy farm and graduated Waupun High School 1975. On the farm he learned about good work ethic and but had lots of fun in the country, enjoying snowmobiling, riding motorcycle and go-carts.

Steve attended UW Oshkosh and earned his degree in Funeral Service from the Milwaukee Area Technical College in 1978. Steve was drawn into the funeral service by a combination of past experience and guidance from his father. "When my grandfather died in 1973, I saw how much help the funeral director was. My father also said that I had to be a minister or funeral director when I grew up, and you didn’t disagree with my dad.

Steve lives in Menomonee Falls with his wife Trudie. He enjoys hunting, golf, and attending car shows with his restored 1968 Camero. He also enjoys taking trips and spending time with his family; daughters, Danielle (Danny) Kohler and Brittney (Justin) Suelflow; and grandsons, Gaborik and Kane Kohler. Steve is a member of the Grace Lutheran Church, the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce, and the Menomonee Falls Optimist Club.

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David J. Busse Funeral Director

Dave was born in Milwaukee and lived in Menomonee Falls until 1975. He then moved to Brookfield where he lived until 1985. His career at Harder Funeral Home started in 1974 as an intern and he graduated, with a degree in Mortuary Science, from the Milwaukee Area Technical College in 1976. He lives in Pewaukee with his wife, Cindy. Dave is a member of the Elm Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church and enjoys golf.

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Shelly Schroeger Funeral Director

Shelly earned her degree in Mortuary Science from MATC in 2000 and began her career as an apprentice funeral director in 1999. Shelly is also licensed by the State of Wisconsin as an Insurance Intermediary, so she can provide preplanning services. Shelly joined the staff at Harder Funeral Home in 2020.
 
Shelly and her husband married in 2004 and have one daughter. She and her family currently reside in Menomonee Falls. Shelly proudly serves on the Board of Directors for the Menomonee Falls Lions Club. She is also Past President of the club.

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Noah Nienstedt Funeral Director

Noah grew up in Cottage Grove, WI. He earned his degree in Mortuary Science from MATC – West Allis in 2003. Noah also has his Insurance Intermediary license to assist families with setting aside funds when preplanning. He joined Harder Funeral Home in 2021. Noah has served on the Lakeshore District of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association board and currently is the Lakeshore District’s Representative to the WFDA State Board. He also is a certified celebrant to gain that extra insight into serving a family.

Noah enjoys time with his wife, Kacey, their two chocolate labs, Sheldon and Lucien and running his two sons all around the state playing hockey and soccer. He also enjoys cooking many meals based off of his garden.

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Kenneth R Kurtz Funeral Director

Ken was born in Watertown, WI to Kenneth Sr. and Arlene Kurtz. He is a lifelong resident of Watertown, graduating from Watertown High School in 1989. Ken began his career at Harder Funeral Home in 1992 as an apprentice. In 1995 he completed his schooling in the Funeral Service Program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. He married his wife, Gina in 1996 and the two continue to be a part of the Watertown Community with their two children, Ethan and Makaela.

Ken appreciates that each different family has different needs. He enjoys being able to recognize those needs and help families through the funeral process. When not working at the funeral home, Ken enjoys golf, hunting with his son, attending dance competitions with his daughter and vacations with the whole family. He is a member of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

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Teri L. Schultz Funeral Director / Office Executive

Teri was born and raised in Beloit, WI. Growing up, she was involved in 4-H, track, cheerleading and gymnastics. She graduated from Beloit Turner high School in 2005 and graduated from the Funeral Service Program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College in 2008. In 2009 she began her career at Harder Funeral Service as well as married her husband, Brett. The two live in Greenfield, WI. Teri enjoys fishing, antique shopping, spending time with her pets and visiting with friends and family.

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James T. Guardalabene Consultant

Jim has transitioned into retirement but he remains available to consult with the many families and the community that he has been hononered to serve and assisted for so many years.  Jim can be contacted by phone at 414-588-0836.  Should you need immediate assistance or the time is after office hours please call the main office phone number 262-781-8350. 

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John J. Clark Funeral Director

John was born in Anderson, Indiana and raised in Oconomowoc, WI. He attended St. Jerome’s Grade School and graduated from Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, WI. John graduated from Regis College in Denver, CO in 1964 as well as the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science.

John’s father-in-law, Louis Becker, had been in funeral service for many years in the Milwaukee community. When John and Louis’ daughter, Katie were married, he was asked to join the firm.

John and Katie live in Brookfield. He loves to play golf, travel, cook and spend time with his family. He is a big Marquette University Basketball fan and very active in the Knights of Columbus and the Irish Community. John is very grateful to the Harder family for providing him the opportunity to continue in the profession he truly loves.

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Dean A. DuBois Funeral Director / Preparations Manager

Dean was born and raised in West Allis, WI with four brothers and four sisters. He graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1983. After a short time in the woodworking / cabinet making business, Dean began his career in the funeral industry. In 1986 he started working for the Harder Funeral Home as an apprentice and began attending Funeral Service School at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. He graduated from the program and became licensed in 1988. Dean lives in West Allis with his three daughters. He enjoys competitive archery and bicycling and is a member of the L.A.P.T / Wilde Subaru Cycling Team.

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Sheila M. Falk Funeral Director

Sheila was born in Milwaukee to Don and Gale Adams. In 1980 she moved to Brookfield and graduated from Brookfield Central High School in 1993. In 1997 she graduated from the Funeral Service Program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. She also earned her Associates Degree of Arts and Sciences from UW Waukesha in 1998. In 2003 Sheila was married to Curt Falk and continues to reside in Brookfield. In 2005 she started her career with Harder Funeral Home. Sheila’s desire to help people led her into the funeral industry. Her pastimes include fishing, gardening and other outdoor activities. She also likes listening to music and attending concerts.

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Michael Priest Funeral Director

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Caitlin Walley Funeral Director

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Lauren Brown Advanced Funeral Planner/Funeral Director

Lauren was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. She attended Muskego High School and attended/graduated from Arrowhead High School in Hartland, WI., Class of 2011. She graduated from the Funeral Service Program at Milwaukee Area Technical College where she received an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science in 2015.

Lauren became a Licensed Funeral Director in February 2016 and an Intermediary Licensed Life Insurance Agent in September 2017. She has worked in the funeral industry since September 2013 and joined Harder Funeral Home in October 2015.

In June 2018, Lauren married her husband David. In March 2021, Lauren and her husband welcomed Mila into their family and in 2022 their daughter Lana. They reside in Sussex, WI. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and daughters, their 3 cats, family and friends. She also enjoys spending time outdoors camping in the couple’s remodeled pop-up camper.

Eric Harder

Funeral Director / President
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Eric was born and raised in Brookfield where he graduated from Brookfield East High School. Being a third generation funeral director, Eric grew up in the industry working alongside his grandfather, Herman and father, Dean. At the age of 16, Eric began working part time, mowing lawns and helping maintain the building. In 1992, he started full time while attending the Funeral Service program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. In 1995 Eric graduated from the program and continued to follow in the family path, eventually taking on an ownership position.

Ryan Harder

Funeral Director
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Ryan received his funeral director's license in 2022 and is the 4th generation at Harder Funeral Home.

Steve C. Yunto

Funeral Director / General Manager
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Steve was born to Garret and Helen Yunto in Waupun, WI in 1956. He grew up on the family dairy farm and graduated Waupun High School 1975. On the farm he learned about good work ethic and but had lots of fun in the country, enjoying snowmobiling, riding motorcycle and go-carts.

Steve attended UW Oshkosh and earned his degree in Funeral Service from the Milwaukee Area Technical College in 1978. Steve was drawn into the funeral service by a combination of past experience and guidance from his father. "When my grandfather died in 1973, I saw how much help the funeral director was. My father also said that I had to be a minister or funeral director when I grew up, and you didn’t disagree with my dad.

Steve lives in Menomonee Falls with his wife Trudie. He enjoys hunting, golf, and attending car shows with his restored 1968 Camero. He also enjoys taking trips and spending time with his family; daughters, Danielle (Danny) Kohler and Brittney (Justin) Suelflow; and grandsons, Gaborik and Kane Kohler. Steve is a member of the Grace Lutheran Church, the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce, and the Menomonee Falls Optimist Club.

David J. Busse

Funeral Director
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Dave was born in Milwaukee and lived in Menomonee Falls until 1975. He then moved to Brookfield where he lived until 1985. His career at Harder Funeral Home started in 1974 as an intern and he graduated, with a degree in Mortuary Science, from the Milwaukee Area Technical College in 1976. He lives in Pewaukee with his wife, Cindy. Dave is a member of the Elm Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church and enjoys golf.

Shelly Schroeger

Funeral Director
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Shelly earned her degree in Mortuary Science from MATC in 2000 and began her career as an apprentice funeral director in 1999. Shelly is also licensed by the State of Wisconsin as an Insurance Intermediary, so she can provide preplanning services. Shelly joined the staff at Harder Funeral Home in 2020.
 
Shelly and her husband married in 2004 and have one daughter. She and her family currently reside in Menomonee Falls. Shelly proudly serves on the Board of Directors for the Menomonee Falls Lions Club. She is also Past President of the club.

Noah Nienstedt

Funeral Director
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Noah grew up in Cottage Grove, WI. He earned his degree in Mortuary Science from MATC – West Allis in 2003. Noah also has his Insurance Intermediary license to assist families with setting aside funds when preplanning. He joined Harder Funeral Home in 2021. Noah has served on the Lakeshore District of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association board and currently is the Lakeshore District’s Representative to the WFDA State Board. He also is a certified celebrant to gain that extra insight into serving a family.

Noah enjoys time with his wife, Kacey, their two chocolate labs, Sheldon and Lucien and running his two sons all around the state playing hockey and soccer. He also enjoys cooking many meals based off of his garden.

Kenneth R Kurtz

Funeral Director
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Ken was born in Watertown, WI to Kenneth Sr. and Arlene Kurtz. He is a lifelong resident of Watertown, graduating from Watertown High School in 1989. Ken began his career at Harder Funeral Home in 1992 as an apprentice. In 1995 he completed his schooling in the Funeral Service Program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. He married his wife, Gina in 1996 and the two continue to be a part of the Watertown Community with their two children, Ethan and Makaela.

Ken appreciates that each different family has different needs. He enjoys being able to recognize those needs and help families through the funeral process. When not working at the funeral home, Ken enjoys golf, hunting with his son, attending dance competitions with his daughter and vacations with the whole family. He is a member of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Teri L. Schultz

Funeral Director / Office Executive
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Teri was born and raised in Beloit, WI. Growing up, she was involved in 4-H, track, cheerleading and gymnastics. She graduated from Beloit Turner high School in 2005 and graduated from the Funeral Service Program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College in 2008. In 2009 she began her career at Harder Funeral Service as well as married her husband, Brett. The two live in Greenfield, WI. Teri enjoys fishing, antique shopping, spending time with her pets and visiting with friends and family.

James T. Guardalabene

Consultant
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Jim has transitioned into retirement but he remains available to consult with the many families and the community that he has been hononered to serve and assisted for so many years.  Jim can be contacted by phone at 414-588-0836.  Should you need immediate assistance or the time is after office hours please call the main office phone number 262-781-8350. 

John J. Clark

Funeral Director
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John was born in Anderson, Indiana and raised in Oconomowoc, WI. He attended St. Jerome’s Grade School and graduated from Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, WI. John graduated from Regis College in Denver, CO in 1964 as well as the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science.

John’s father-in-law, Louis Becker, had been in funeral service for many years in the Milwaukee community. When John and Louis’ daughter, Katie were married, he was asked to join the firm.

John and Katie live in Brookfield. He loves to play golf, travel, cook and spend time with his family. He is a big Marquette University Basketball fan and very active in the Knights of Columbus and the Irish Community. John is very grateful to the Harder family for providing him the opportunity to continue in the profession he truly loves.

Dean A. DuBois

Funeral Director / Preparations Manager
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Dean was born and raised in West Allis, WI with four brothers and four sisters. He graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1983. After a short time in the woodworking / cabinet making business, Dean began his career in the funeral industry. In 1986 he started working for the Harder Funeral Home as an apprentice and began attending Funeral Service School at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. He graduated from the program and became licensed in 1988. Dean lives in West Allis with his three daughters. He enjoys competitive archery and bicycling and is a member of the L.A.P.T / Wilde Subaru Cycling Team.

Sheila M. Falk

Funeral Director
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Sheila was born in Milwaukee to Don and Gale Adams. In 1980 she moved to Brookfield and graduated from Brookfield Central High School in 1993. In 1997 she graduated from the Funeral Service Program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. She also earned her Associates Degree of Arts and Sciences from UW Waukesha in 1998. In 2003 Sheila was married to Curt Falk and continues to reside in Brookfield. In 2005 she started her career with Harder Funeral Home. Sheila’s desire to help people led her into the funeral industry. Her pastimes include fishing, gardening and other outdoor activities. She also likes listening to music and attending concerts.

Michael Priest

Funeral Director
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Caitlin Walley

Funeral Director
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Lauren Brown

Advanced Funeral Planner/Funeral Director
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Lauren was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. She attended Muskego High School and attended/graduated from Arrowhead High School in Hartland, WI., Class of 2011. She graduated from the Funeral Service Program at Milwaukee Area Technical College where she received an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science in 2015.

Lauren became a Licensed Funeral Director in February 2016 and an Intermediary Licensed Life Insurance Agent in September 2017. She has worked in the funeral industry since September 2013 and joined Harder Funeral Home in October 2015.

In June 2018, Lauren married her husband David. In March 2021, Lauren and her husband welcomed Mila into their family and in 2022 their daughter Lana. They reside in Sussex, WI. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and daughters, their 3 cats, family and friends. She also enjoys spending time outdoors camping in the couple’s remodeled pop-up camper.