We’re here for you.

Alex Finseth

Family Services Advisor

Alex is honored to be part of the Lakewood staff and to support families as they remember their loved ones through tradition and ceremony. Alex feels a strong, personal connection to Lakewood because he grew up in the neighborhood; he is familiar with Lakewood’s gorgeous natural spaces and historical significance.

Alex earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mortuary science from the University of Minnesota and has worked as a licensed funeral director in Minnesota and Wisconsin for over 13 years.

Esteban Castañeda

Family Services Advisor

Esteban is honored to provide the highest level of care and respect to each person he works with as they navigate some of the most difficult times of their lives. His life experiences have ignited his passion to help people create meaningful ceremonies surrounding memories of their loved ones.  

Esteban earned his Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota. He worked as a licensed mortician in the Twin Cities for seven years before joining the Family Services team. 

Mike Rydberg

Family Services Advisor

Mike deeply values the opportunity to work with families during their time of need. He strives to provide comfort to each family as though they were his own. Mike works to quickly develop a rapport with each person he meets so he can provide clear options and assist them throughout the entire process, including designing memorial markers and making preneed funeral plans. Prior to joining Lakewood, Mike worked in senior living and in public media, where he developed his communication skills and empathy.  

Mike has a special connection to Lakewood because his grandparents are buried here, and he and his wife have also selected Lakewood for their final resting space.  

Megan Hume

Service Coordinator and Certified Celebrant

Megan is grateful and humbled to work alongside families as they plan services for their loved ones. She believes that each service is as unique as the individual being memorialized and it’s her passion to assist families in creating a service that truly honors their loved one in Lakewood’s historic spaces.

Prior to coordinating services at Lakewood, Megan coordinated liturgies at The Basilica of Saint Mary. She holds degrees in English and Theology from The University of St. Thomas and is a Southwest Minneapolis resident. Megan believes working with and for families during their time of grief is truly her vocation.

Toby Branstad

Service & Memorial Coordinator

Toby grew up in southwest Minneapolis and has a deep connection to Lakewood, where many of his family members and family friends are buried. Toby finds solace in the nature and beauty of Lakewood, and his family history in the funeral service industry has given him a unique perspective on life and death.  

Toby graduated from Concordia St. Paul with a bachelor’s degree in business management. As an empathetic and calming presence, he is committed to providing comfort and support to those who are grieving. 

Gabrielle Freuler

Memorial Coordinator

Gabrielle brings a deep understanding of the importance of honoring loved ones to her work, along with a heartfelt passion for guiding families through the process of selecting and personalizing headstones, monuments, engravings and other memorials. Gabrielle’s deep, personal connections to Lakewood give her empathy and commitment to preserving the memory of those who have passed.

Gabrielle, a graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, strives to approach every family with kindness, patience and care. Whether she is assisting with design choices or ensuring every detail is just right, she takes pride in creating lasting tributes that bring comfort and peace to families during a difficult time.

Seth Kaltwasser

Family Services Manager

Seth has a passion for helping individuals and families make meaningful choices at Lakewood that will be celebrated for generations to come. He works closely with families to ensure their choices truly honor and celebrate their priceless legacies.

With long experience in nonprofit fundraising and arts management, Seth has learned the value of legacy. He is inspired by the robust local history that fills Lakewood and the countless new and touching stories that every family adds to the diversity of Lakewood’s community. Over the past five years, since joining Lakewood, Seth has been instrumental in contributing to changes that support families’ experiences and needs.

Kelly Leahy

Director of Family Services

Kelly leads the Family Services team in offering warm and professional end-of-life planning and care to families and individuals. She also co-leads the development of meaningful memorialization choices, services, and experiences at Lakewood.

She developed a passion for helping families navigate the end-of-life journey early in her career. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, she came to Minnesota to earn a second Bachelor of Science degree in mortuary science from the University of Minnesota. She then worked as a licensed funeral director for almost 12 years before joining Lakewood as a Family Services advisor in 2015. In 2019, she became Director of Family Services and a member of Lakewood’s leadership team.

Kelly absolutely loves Lakewood’s natural beauty and historical significance. She lives nearby, and was married in Lakewood’s historic chapel.