But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6
An Uplifting Story
In May of 1999 Erin Brostuen suffered a traumatic brain injury following an automobile accident when she was 19 years old. Even though Erin was unable to walk or talk she would use her strength and ability to influence others, she experienced pain and setback after setback but her world was filled with dedication and devotion that she inspired in others. Karen, her mother would devote her life to caring for her daughter until her passing in 2018 at the age of 38.
I had the great honor of working with Karen in designing a monument for Erin as well as for herself and her husband, Bill. My experience with Karen has been with filled with inspiration and also emotion. Her passion for honoring Erin and her dedication to capturing her essence shaped every aspect of our design. From our first discussions, it was clear how much this monument meant to her, and that shared vision has driven us to create something truly special. Her insights and personal stories have enriched the design, infusing it with love and remembrance. Karen’s guidance and heartfelt reflections have made this process not only a professional endeavor but also a deeply personal one for me. I will always treasure my friendship with her and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this journey and to help bring her vision to life.
When the day finally arrived to unveil the monument to the family, I had prepared a surprise for Karen, with all of us wearing “Choose Happy” t-shirts decorated with monarch butterflies to honor Erin’s memory. “Happy” is how Erin and her family choose to live. Standing before the completed work, I felt a profound sense of pride and gratitude. It’s not just a piece of art; it’s a gathering point for the family, a place for remembrance, and a symbol of hope. Erin’s family held a celebration of her life later that day and seeing the family engage with the monument, share their stories, and find meaning in its presence makes every moment of the design process worthwhile. To be part of creating something that impacts lives is an honor that will stay with me long after the project is finished. In the end, a monument is not just a physical structure; it’s a testament to a life well-lived and the enduring impact that a loved one had on everyone around them.
It is a privilege to be working at Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home and be able to provide care and support to our families at every level. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Memorial Monuments and their incredible people I’ve had the privilege to work alongside.
Billie Lockie • Williston Office Manager • Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home & Monuments
Photos of The Erin Brostuen Monument with Family & Friends
Introducing Nick Mulvaney
Nick Mulvaney is in charge of Crematory Operations at Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services, in Butte, Montana Nick hails from Helena, Montana, where he was born and raised. Nick has Butte roots as his mother was born and raised here. When Nick’s wife, Bri, was offered the opportunity to move to and serve the Butte community at Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services, Nick couldn’t have agreed more about what a perfectly timed opportunity this was to end up in the greatest city on earth.
Shortly after their move to Butte from Helena, Nick began working at the funeral home to help on services and assist with other needs at the funeral home. He quickly realized what a rewarding profession it was to serve families when they experienced a death. Shortly after he applied to be a Crematory Operator. He has operated our cremation facility and operations since then.
Nick has a deep love for soccer and sport spectating of any genre, considers himself a rockhound, and a music aficionado. He appreciates the colorful and charming history of Butte, loves golfing, playing board and card games with his wife, and building intricate Lego models in the winter months.
One of the most notable experiences he and Bri have had in Butte, since their move here in July of 2019, was discovering that the building on Harrison Ave that they work out of is the same building that his late grandfather, Jim Matteucci, worked out of for many decades when it was Don’s Office Machines. When Nick and Bri made this discovery, they knew for certain that there was a divine hand in their migration to the Richest Hill on Earth and they haven’t looked back since.
Get to know Nick a little better by looking at the photos in the album below.
Gravesite Visitation
Admittedly, the thought of visiting a gravesite is not usually considered a really happy one. That being said, gravesite visitations are an excellent way for us, and our children, to honor and stay intimately connected to those who paved the way for our lives. Visitations also always bring fond memories to mind. And finally, while they can cause a brief touch of melancholy, they always bring a wonderful feeling of fulfillment. We remember those before us, as we know we will be remembered.
Planning Ahead
More and more people are realizing the many advantages of prearranging their funerals. The process is simple, and the benefits to the loved ones who are left to handle the arrangements are very well recognized and appreciated. To accommodate the growing need for professional pre-planning support, we provide highly trained and experienced Pre-Need Counselors at Stevenson & Sons:
Lynn Anderson in Miles City, Montana • 406-232-4457
Natalie Boey in Helena, Montana • 406-442-8520
Steve Pearce in Williston, North Dakota • 701-572-6329
Some of the benefits of prearranging are:
Pre-planning allows you to express your own wishes • It means that your loved ones will not have to make a number of important decisions during a time of mourning • Your funeral plan is transferable, in case you move away • It relieves your family of the financial burden • It allows your loved ones to spend their time comforting each other during a time of grief, instead of concerning themselves with the specifics of the arrangements • When pre-planning, there are both guaranteed and non-guaranteed plans available to choose from • It allows you the opportunity to discuss your final arrangements with family members to ensure clarity, and to ensure that those responsible are comfortable with all of your decisions.
If you’d like to know more, we recommend visiting: https://www.whypreplan.org/
Funeral Planning Aid
We frequently receive questions regarding what the person responsible for making funeral arrangements should expect. Since we’ve received so many requests for this information, we are placing a link which allows our newsletter subscribers to download a complete copy of our Funeral Planning Aid. The informative article is presented as a PDF – simply click the PDF Button below to access it. That way, if you wish, you may keep it on your computer for future reference or sharing with others. If after you read the article, you have any questions, please contact one of our pre-planning professionals: Lynn Anderson in Miles City, Montana at 406-232-4457 • Steve Pearce Williston, North Dakota at 701-572-6329 • Natalie Boey in Helena, Montana at 406-442-8520. To download the Funeral Planning aid PDF CLICK HERE.
Who’s eligible for Military Funeral Honors?
- Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
- Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
How to establish veteran eligibility
Submit the DD Form 214. The DD Form 214 may be obtained by filing a completed Standard Form 180 with: National Personnel Records Center(NPRC) • 9700 Page Blvd. • St. Louis, MO 63132. The Standard Form 180 may be obtained from: http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf
Headstones for Veterans
For complete information and ordering, please visit: Legislative Changes Concerning Eligibility for Headstones, Markers and Medallions – National Cemetery Administration (va.gov)
Supporting Others
If you know someone who would benefit from the uplifting messages and support information we provide in these monthly newsletters, they can sign up to receive their own copy here. It’s a great way to lend your support to a friend or a family member.
Financial Assistance
If you lost a loved one due to Covid-19, you may qualify for financial assistance for your family’s funeral expenses. Click here to find out more information. Recently posted on the FEMA Covid-19 Funeral Assistance page: The COVID-19 incident period ended on May 11, 2023. FEMA will continue to provide funeral assistance until Sept. 30, 2025, to those who have lost loved ones due to this pandemic.
