Meet Our Caring Team

James is originally from Colebrook, New Hampshire, and spent thirteen years living in Wisconsin before joining the team at Furey. 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.

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. 

Joleen grew up in Frazee and graduated in 1992. She earned a Professional Photography Degree from Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN.  Joleen began working at Photo Magic in Perham after graduating. She started Joleen Giefer Photography in 1995, specializing in wedding photography for 16 years.  She now enjoys capturing sports photography for the Frazee Forum, but her main focus is photo design work and creating personalized products. Joleen finds her role very rewarding with helping the families create the perfect farewell event for their loved one. She is a strong advocate for pre-planning funeral details from picking out your favorite photo to creating your own slideshow or life-history video.

After graduating from college, Joleen was lucky enough to cross paths with Jeff Giefer after his return from the Marines and they were married in 1997. Blessed with 2 children, Jocelyn and Joby-John, the couple is on the verge of becoming empty-nesters and contemplating retiring in Costa Rica.

Joleen enjoys dinners with friends, taking road trips in the 1980 motorhome, traveling and researching great places to travel to and giving life-lesson advice to her children.

preplan@fureyfh.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 looks forward to the opportunity to serve others as the Advance Funeral Planner at Furey 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.