History & Staff

Welcome

We welcome you to our website. We take great pride in being a family-owned funeral home and strive to serve families as if they were our own. We are dedicated to professionally serving each family and helping to create a personalized and meaningful memory of their loved one. This website has been created for the families and communities we serve. Our website provides families with a variety of information and offers to the public our online obituary and video tribute program. We hope that the information contained here is helpful to all. We value any thoughts that may assist us in better serving families and encourage you to contact us with your thoughts and comments.

Our Mission

We will professionally serve every family with the dignity, care, and compassion as if they were our own. We intend to exceed each family's expectations by creating a meaningful experience to reflect the life of their loved one. Through service to families and the communities we serve, we hope to develop relationships for generations to come and build on the pride we take in our reputation.

Our History

Following his schooling in 1970, Randall G. Hartquist, began his ministry to families in funeral service. Early in his career he managed funeral homes in Butte, Montana, Burnsville, Minnesota, and Fergus Falls, Minnesota. In 1984, he purchased the Lindquist Funeral Home in Pipestone, Minnesota where he and his wife Cindy raised their family while operating the funeral home. Through dedication, hard work, and attention to detail, he earned the confidence of many families in the Pipestone area. In 1995, the funeral home acquired the Walz Funeral Home, which was also located in Pipestone. In 2004, Randy and his family purchased the Foster Funeral Home in Jasper, Minnesota which Randy had managed since 1984. At this time, the Utoft-Johansen Funeral Homes in Lake Benton, Minnesota and Tyler, Minnesota, along with the Engebretson Funeral Home in Luverne, Minnesota, were also purchased. Since that time, Randy and his wife Cindy, and their son Jeff and his wife, Sara, along with their dedicated staff member, Christopher Johnson, have continued to professionally serve each family with the dignity, care and understanding they deserve.

Our Valued Staff

Randall G. Hartquist, Funeral Director

Randy was born and raised in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1970 with his B.S. Degree in Medical Science, majoring in Mortuary Science. During this time, he married his wife, Cindy. Randy has been active in funeral service throughout his years and has served on many positions within the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association, most recently serving as the Southern Regional Director.

He is an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone where he has chaired various committees, served as an Elder, twice served as chairman of the congregation, and sings in the church choir. Within the community, he has served on many boards, including the United Way, Pipestone Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota West Community and Technical College Advisory Board, Past President of the Pipestone Band Board, Past President of the Hiawatha Club,

Pipestone Performing Arts Board, and Past President of the Pipestone American Cancer Society Board. He annually chairs the "Love Lights A Tree" fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. He enjoyed his ten-year membership in the Opland Singers, and he is a member of the Kiwanis Club. While he served as Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis, he organized and chartered Pipestone's Golden K Club. He has lifetime memberships as a Vietnam Veteran in the Pipestone V.F.W. Post #3814 and Michael-Boock American Legion Post #6 where he is a past Post Commander. He and his wife Cindy have four children.

Cynthia C. Hartquist, Certified Pre-Arrangement Specialist

Cindy was born in Chamberlain, South Dakota and was raised in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She attended Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge before being married to her husband, Randy. Cindy is certified by the National Funeral Directors Association in the area of pre-need services and is a licensed insurance agent, specializing in funeral burial insurance.

She is an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone and is active in the community, focusing volunteer efforts on the Pipestone Enrichment Foundation. She is also a member of Aquarius Club and the Hiawatha Club. She is on the Board of Directors of First National Bank in Pipestone, and she currently serves on the City of Pipestone Charter Commission. She and her husband Randy have four children.

Jeffrey R. Hartquist, Funeral Director

Jeff was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was raised in Pipestone, Minnesota. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota where he received his B.A. Degree, majoring in Business, before attending the University of Minnesota where he received his B.S. Degree in Medical Science, majoring in Mortuary Science. Along with his license in funeral service, he is a licensed insurance agent, specializing in funeral burial insurance.

He began his vocation in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area. A short time later, Jeff joined the family-owned funeral home with his wife, Sara, and moved to Luverne, Minnesota. He and his family are active members of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne where Jeff has served on stewardship ministry, WINGS, and participates in bell choir. He is a member of the Luverne Lions Club and the Luverne Rotary Club, and he has served on the Luverne Chamber of Commerce Board and the Luverne Area Community Foundation Board. He and his wife Sara have three sons, Henry, Benjamin and Graham.

Christopher L. Johnson, Funeral Director

Chris was born in St. Louis Park, Minnesota and was raised in the Twin Cities area. He attended the University of Minnesota where he received his B.S. Degree in Medical Science, majoring in Mortuary Science. Following his schooling, Chris began his vocation in the Twin Cities area.

In 2004, Chris joined our funeral home. He and his family live in Tyler, Minnesota, and are active members of Danebod Lutheran Church where Chris serves on the church council and the stewardship and outreach ministry. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club, serving as President, and is active within the Tyler Area Community Club. He and his wife Trina have four children, Noah, Julia, Ruby, and Poppy.