Our Staff
Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.
Dana Makepeace
Manager/Licensed Funeral Director
Dana was born and raised in the
small town of Cologne, MN. Since the young age of 7 it has been her dream to
serve families through funeral service. After high school she attended the
University of Minnesota. While attending school she worked for the Anatomy
Bequest Program until she graduated with her Bachelor degree in Mortuary
Science. Throughout the years she has gained invaluable experience in both
large firms and small family owned funeral homes. She also had the privilege of
working for LifeSource Organ & Tissue Donation where she led teams through
donation procurements.
Dana later relocated to Bend,
Oregon where she managed a Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematory for several
years. After realizing how much she missed family, friends and the comforts of
home, she returned to Minnesota.
Dana has had a passion for
serving families since she was a young child and considers funeral service her
calling in life. She is excited to be working at Miller Funeral Home with a
wonderful team.
Dana resides in Plymouth with her husband, three children
and two dogs. In her free time she enjoys summers at the pool, competing in
triathlons, and spending time with her family and dear friends.
Steven Anderson
Licensed Funeral Director
Steven was raised in Brooklyn Park, and his first job was bagging groceries at Holiday Foods in Fridley. He worked at the Fridley Target until graduating from Park Center High School in 1980.
Steve attended the University of Minnesota in search of a medical degree. While going to college, he worked at Hennepin County Medical Center on an Oncology Unit. This experience helped him understand some of the pain and suffering that individuals endure and the loss that families encounter while struggling with the effects of cancer and death. Because of the life changing experiences he had with these individuals and their family members, Steve changed his educational direction and in 1985, registered for the Mortuary Science Program at the University of Minnesota. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1987, Steve joined the Miller family and has been with them since that time.
Steve and his wife Monie were married in 1985 and they live on a small hobby farm just north of Anoka. Steve and Monie are very actively involved with their children and with their church.
Our team here works very hard and often times very long, with compassion, sincerity, and integrity, to meet the needs of those who chose to use our home in the disposition of their loved one’s remains.
Kelly Taylor
Licensed Funeral Director
Kelly has been in funeral service for over 15 years. During his time in this profession, he has served families of all faiths across the country and the world.
He grew up and graduated from school in Anoka, Minnesota. Aside from his degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota, he also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, a Master’s degree in Education, and is licensed to teach music (K-12 Instrumental) in the state of MN. Kelly has a variety of performance and teaching experience in music. He has performed with Drum and Bugle Corps all over the US and Canada for audiences of several hundred thousand. As an educator, Kelly has taught in several school districts and with marching band programs all over the state of MN, serving from consultant to program director. He also has been active in the Minnesota Percussion Association, serving on the board of directors as 2nd Vice President and President.
Kelly is married to his wife, Stacy, and has two boys, Drew and Alex, who are finishing high school in Coon Rapids. When he is not at the funeral home, he enjoys being at the cabin, hunting, fishing, composing and performing as a percussionist or bass player.
He is excited to begin his contribution to the rich heritage and ongoing success of Miller Funeral Home & Choice Cremation in the communities of Fridley, Mounds View, Columbia Heights and New Brighton. He brings a depth of funeral experience that was gained working in the metro area. He is dedicated to the families he serves and is proud to help honor the lives of those who have passed.
Meaghan Johnson
Licensed Funeral Director
Meaghan began her career in funeral service with her Papa
during his nights on calls, and helping navigate families in the day at their
family funeral home. She attended
Southern Illinois University to gain her Bachelor’s Degree in Funeral Service
and Mortuary Science in Carbondale, Illinois.
Meaghan eloped with her husband, James in the summer of
2013. In 2013, they moved to Minnesota to
be closer with his family. Meaghan and
James have two children, Addison and Quentin and they live in Plymouth.
Meaghan joined the team at Miller Funeral Home to be a part
of their steadfast and honest efforts to provide heartfelt guidance and service
to their communities. Meaghan looks forward to growing with the Miller team,
while building a strong relationship with the families she aides.
Mark Stohlberg
Licensed Funeral Director
Mark was born in Fresno, California to a pastor’s family, and he lived most of his life in the Twin Cities area. Mark attended Minnehaha Academy, North Park College and the University of Minnesota where graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science.
Mark has one daughter Gretchen, and her husband Chris; two sons, Devin and Chris; and two grandsons, Aidan and Logan. Mark is an active member of Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton. He enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, as well as church activities, including singing in the church choir.
Mark Waznik
Certified Crematory Operator
Mark has been a part of the team at Miller Funeral Home since 2007.
After working with Kim for some time, Mark soon found out that he enjoyed contributing to the experience of celebrating the life of people’s loved ones. Creating the “just right” atmosphere is quite rewarding to Mark, knowing that families appreciate the care and consideration they receive.
Mark is present at many of the services and visitations through Miller Funeral Home, and he also helps prepare many of the details beforehand.
Mark and his wife, Holly live in Coon Rapids.
Monie Anderson
Pre-Arrangement Specialist
Monie became interested in assisting families plan ahead when the need became evident with her own parents. Coming from a family of six children, she knew how difficult it would have been to deal with the loss of her parents with no advance funeral planning in place.
Monie has been assisting families with funeral pre-planning since 2000 and she currently holds her resident license to assist families with the numerous decisions involved in the process. With Monie's years of experience, she is able to confidently help families experience the value of a pre-planned funeral service.
Monie and her husband Steve enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren. When Monie is not at the funeral home, she is caring for her various animals on their hobby farm.
Julie Knobbe
Office Manager
Julie joined the staff at Miller in 2016. She was born and raised on a farm in Monona, Iowa.
Julie has one son, Lance who is married with four children...making Julie a very happy Grandmother.
Julie and her husband, Wayne reside in Friendly Fridley and she is so thrilled to be working with families in her hometown of Fridley.
Julie enjoys walking her dogs, visiting grandchildren, time with friends, and travel with her husband.
Holly Waznik
Office Manager
Holly joined the staff in May 2017 as Office Manager at Choice Cremation in Fridley.
Holly is a Registered Nurse, having received her degree at the University of Minnesota in 1983. She retired from a 33 year nursing career in December 2016 and is now enjoying a new work landscape and a change of pace, providing support for a wonderful, hard-working group of co-workers.
Holly and her husband, Mark have a son, a daughter, a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law. They also have two small dogs of their own and their two grand dogs round out their family nicely.
Robert Friis
Support Staff