Kevin Opsahl

Kevin graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1983 with his B.S. in Mortuary Science. He became a licensed funeral director/embalmer in the state of South Dakota in 1984 and was licensed in Minnesota in 1985. He earned his South Dakota life insurance agent’s license in 1996.

After obtaining his funeral director’s license, Kevin worked at the Ray Funeral Chapel in Yankton until moving to Minneapolis. There he worked at the Hillside Funeral Home and Cemetery for two years until moving back to Yankton in 1991. He joined the Kostel Funeral Home, with funeral homes in Yankton, Menno and Tabor, where he worked until purchasing the business from Laddie and Pam Kostel in 1998.

Kevin has three children: Ann (wife Marti), Laura (husband Nick and their 2 children:  Nixon and Maddox), Alex (wife Jazmine).  Kevin and Courtney were married in 2019 and she brought to their marriage 3 wonderful children:  Taylor, Jayden and Liam.  Kevin and his wife, Courtney reside in Yankton, South Dakota.  Kevin is involved with the Yankton Morning Optimists, Yankton Elks Lodge #994, Hillcrest Country Club, Yankton Booster Club, Yankton Band Boosters, Yankton Area Arts Association, Yankton Quarterback Club and Yankton Chamber of Commerce, the Yankton Boys and Girls Club serving on the Advisory Committee and, currently, the Governing Board. He was involved with area youth as a Yankton Youth Soccer coach and has served on various boards for the United Church of Christ (Congregational). In 2004, he became a 32° Mason of the Scottish rite, St. John’s Lodge #1 A.F. and A.M. Kevin also served on the Board of Directors of the International Order of the Golden Rule (2005-2012) and served as the organization’s president 2010-2011.  Kevin obtain his Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) on May 15, 2011.

“Funeral service for me has turned out to be more than a career.  It has been a way for me to touch family’s lives that my schooling never taught me and it is hard for me to put into words, the bond I have developed with families over the years.”  You can email Kevin at kevin@okfhc.com.

Chad Rembold

Chad grew up in Freeman, SD and graduated from Freeman High School. After high school he attended South Dakota State University and the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He became a licensed funeral director in 1996. Most of his time as a funeral director was spent in the Miller, SD area where he owned and operated his own funeral home.

Chad’s family includes his wife Sherry who is a middle school math teacher in Freeman. Two sons, Gideon and Peter, and daughter Talia. He enjoys playing golf, boating with his family, and attending local sporting events.

Ted Powell, Family Service Counselor

Ted  graduated from Yankton College in 1978 with a B.M. in Music, with additional studies at USD.  Ted retired after 32 years of teaching in Woonsocket, Wessington Springs, Alcester-Hudson and the last 20 years inYankton public schools.  Ted is director of music and organist at the United Church of Christ-UCC.  He and his wife Jennifer were honored a few years ago by being selected as the Riverboat Days Captain and Belle. They are the parents of four children and enjoy spoiling their grandchildren.  You can email Ted at ted@okfhc.com.  “Honoring the life of an individual is something I enjoy helping families with at their time of need.  It might be simply being there to assist a visitation or funeral or memorial service.  I also can assist families or individuals in pre-planning of services.  It might be as simple as giving pertinent information and stating wishes  or selecting all details of the service and making a financial investment which can alleviate some of the stress involved when families are working on celebrating/grieving the loss of a family member.”

Courtney Opsahl

Courtney was born and raised in Yankton, South Dakota. She attended Mount Marty University and Colorado Technical University for Criminal Justice. She now owns and operates RB Grillhouse and Sports Bar and River Rock Event Center. When not working there she creates beautiful service folders and memorable videos for family services. Courtney and her husband Kevin Opsahl reside in Yankton with their three children Taylor, Jayden and Liam and their three dogs.

Diana Smallwood

Diana is a native of Yankton and has experience in the fields of customer service and bookkeeping, but her passion has always been to care for others.  She possesses an Associate’s Degree from the University of South Dakota in General Studies and  received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from USD in May 2019.  Diana spent several years as a group facilitator for a grief support group in her faith community.  She has completed courses in both bereavement care and Stephen’s Ministry and has spent time volunteering with hospice.   “Accompanying others through their journey with grief is a privilege.  I feel honored to be working with the team at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory in providing care to those mourning the loss of a loved one.”

Velma Kuchta

Velma graduated from Scotland High School and attended college at SSTC.  She continued her education at USD in Vermillion, receiving a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education.  After teaching twelve years in rural schools, her final thirty plus years were teaching at Stewart Elementary in the Yankton Public Schools.  Her husband, Gary and she have four children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.  After retiring from teaching, she joined the staff at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home.  “My employment here has given me a whole new outlook on life.  This has opened a whole new career for me to explore and come to the realization that there’s always many new things to learn, no matter what age you are.  The best part of this career is the opportunity to work with people who are in need of sympathy and compassion.  I find myself looking for ways to bring some sunshine and levity into lives that have been greatly upset by death.”

Roger & Jeanie Simonsen

Roger graduated from Menno High School and Universal Trade Schools in Omaha NE.  He has held positions at Bak Auto Body, Smidt Appliance and purchased Simonsen Plumbing & Heating from his parents in 1982.  He started with Aisenbrey Funeral Home and then Kostel Funeral Home and lastly, Aisenbrey-Opsahl Kostel Memorial Chapel in Menno, SD for approximately 40 years.  “I enjoy working with the public and assisting families in their grief.”

Jeanie graduated from LaQuinta High School in Westminister, CA.  She has held positions at Montgomery Ward, Landmann Jungman Memorial Hospital Business Office and Hutchinson County Community Health, Deputy and County Auditor.  “I enjoy my position at Aisenbrey- Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel for the opportunity to assist families with their loss.

Rhonda Bender

Rhonda is a Yankton native graduating from Yankton High School in 1984.  She became a pharmacy technician with White Drug after attending Technician Training in Hastings, MN.  Rhonda went to work for Kmart Pharmacy in 1994 and became nationally certified.  In June 2016, she began working at Hy-Vee Pharmacy.  She has been active in the community, including volunteering with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, teaching religious education and Habitat for Humanity.  Her and her husband, Brad have 3 adult children:  Alicia (Mike) Thunker, Colton (Kendra) and Brooklyn Bender (deceased) and have 5 grandsons and 1 granddaughter.  “I enjoy the opportunity to help serve families through the loss of their loved one.”