Meet Our Caring Team

James is originally from Colebrook, New Hampshire, and spent thirteen years living in Wisconsin before joining the team at David-Donehower. He has a degree from the Funeral Institute of the Northeast and holds licenses in Wisconsin and Minnesota. With many years of experience in funeral service, James has a passion for caring for others in their greatest time of need.

James and his wife, Tina, have five children: Mackenzie, Morgan, Madison, Isaac, and Levi. He is a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and was a former Grand Knight. He is also a member of the Lions Club and attends Holy Rosary Catholic Church. James enjoys camping, traveling, and spending time with family.

David grew up and graduated from high school in Frazee, Minnesota. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota in 1971. While attending school in Minneapolis, David worked as a night attendant at O'Halloran and Murphy Funeral Home in St. Paul. Following his graduation, he moved to Detroit Lakes where he worked for the Donehower Funeral Home until 1975 when he moved to Sauk Centre to become manager of the Schad Funeral Home.

In 1981, David returned to Detroit Lakes where he and Ernest Gieseke purchased the Donehower firm. In 1984, David bought Mr. Gieseke's interest in the business and changed the name to David-Donehower Funeral Home. In 1997, David sold the funeral home to Thomas M. Vertin, a long-time funeral director from Breckenridge, Minnesota, and David continued to manage the funeral home and serve families in need.

David is a member of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association (MFDA), where he has served on the Board of Directors (including a term as President in 2004-2005), and on the Service Corporate Board. 

In addition to his funeral service interests, David is a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Masons, the 412 Lakes Antique Car Club, and the Detroit Lakes Noon Rotary. 

He is a past board member for Ecumen (Provider of housing and services to seniors in Minnesota); a member of the Professional Car Society, a member of the Hospice of the Red River Valley Foundation Board, a past member of the Emmanuel Nursing Home Board, and Chairman of the Minnesota State Technical College Foundation Board.  

David and his wife, Maureen, live in Detroit Lakes and are the parents of three children: Sheri, Jason and Tony.

Charlotte is originally from Jamestown, ND, and graduated from Jamestown High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science from the University of Minnesota. Before joining the team at David-Donehower, Charlotte worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for three years and spent several years working as a funeral director in North Dakota. With her empathetic and helpful nature, Charlotte felt called to funeral service. She sees it as an opportunity to care for others when they need it most.

In her spare time, Charlotte enjoys exercising, doing DIY home projects, sewing, spending time with her family, and being at the lake. She and her husband, Jesse, have two dogs: Layla and Macaria.

Madison is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. She and her dog, Una Kai, moved to Detroit Lakes to escape the Memphis heat and experience life in a smaller community. Madison has a degree in history and anthropology and graduated with honors from the University of Memphis, where she was a member of Phi Alpha Theta, a history honor society. She also has an associate degree in mortuary science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Outside of work, Madison enjoys hiking trails and antique shopping. In addition to watching history documentaries, she loves Alfred Hitchcock films and anything with Fred Astaire or Bette Davis. 

preplan@daviddonehower.com

Denise was raised in rural Frazee and graduated from Frazee High School. After living in the Minneapolis area for three years, she moved back to the Frazee area and began a career in banking that extended over thirty-five years. Denise was VP of Mortgage Lending at a bank in Detroit Lakes prior to serving with Young Life Castaway Club on Pelican Lake for the last couple of years. She then took an early retirement.

Denise has been active in organizations in both the Detroit Lakes and Frazee communities. Currently, she is involved with TeacHaiti, a non-profit organization providing education for children in Haiti; volunteers with the local Young Life organization; and serves at Lakes Area Vineyard Church. Denise’s heart is at home enjoying time with family. Denise loves working with people and the opportunity to serve others as the Advance Funeral Planner at David Donehower Funeral Home. 

Mary is originally from Badger, Minnesota. She completed course studies for Professional Sales from Detroit Lakes Technical Institute and was also a private pilot. Mary taught piano for over thirty years, seventeen of which were spent at Lake Park/Audubon High School and Elementary. In addition, she helped the Price family at Price’s Fine Jewelry.

In 1989, Mary married Joe. They have two sons and two daughters: Eric, Kjerstin, John, and Sarah, who are each married to spouses that Mary and Joe absolutely love. Mary and Joe are grandparents and enjoy looking at life through the eyes of a child again.

Mary is a worship leader at Lakes Area Vineyard Church, where she and Joe are also Marriage Mentors and small group leaders. Over the years, Mary has led women's ministry, vacation Bible school, and children's ministry, and she has provided music and food for many funerals. 

Mary previously served on the Curriculum Board and the PBIS Board at Lake Park/Audubon Schools. She is in the EAA Aviation Chapter 1498 in Detroit Lakes, where they provide a Fly In that helps support local youth scholarships in aviation. In addition to music and aviation, Mary’s hobbies include baking and learning about health and wellness.

Julie grew up in Sheyenne, North Dakota and graduated from Sheyenne High School. She graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and HMR Management. 

Julie is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Julie and her husband, LeRoy, have one daughter, Whitney, who is married to Zach, and two grandchildren, Zayden and Tuck.  Julie loves spending time with family, in addition to time spent on the farm in North Dakota.

Julie joined the staff at West-Kjos in 2018 and currently works at David-Donehower.

Jim was born and raised in the Lake Park, MN area and graduated from high school in 1978.  Jim served with the United States Army in the 101st Airborne Aviation Division as crew chief on the Huey & Sikorsky helicopter until being Honorably discharged in 1981.

Jim has served 23 years on the Detroit Lakes Fire Department and has since retired.  In 2020 he joined the staff at David-Donehower, providing service to families served.  

Jim and his wife, Sue, have two children; Serena (Dan) with 5 children, and Kelsey (Jordan) with 2 children. 

Jim is a member of First Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes and is a member of the American Legion in Lake Park.