Michael Hulke

Owner/Funeral Director

Mike graduated from Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School. He then attended the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in pursuit of a Criminal Justice Degree. After a few years, he left college and joined the United States Army as an Infantryman with the 7th Infantry Division stationed at Ft. Ord in Monterey, CA. He married his wife, Kari, shortly after joining the service. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, Mike and Kari moved to the Twin Cities where Mike was employed by UPS while attending school at the University of Minnesota in pursuit of a Mortuary Science Degree.

After graduation, Mike accepted a position with Rembs Kundinger Funeral Home in Marshfield Wisconsin and worked there from 1995-1997. Mike left Marshfield to join Kari's families' Funeral Home, Taylor Vollert Jennings Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. He worked for the family firm from 1997-2001. Mike returned to Eau Claire in July of 2001 accepting a position at Fuller Speckien Funeral Home.

In 2006, Mike and Kari purchased the funeral home from SCI and renamed it Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home. Mike and Kari's sons joined them in the family business and the funeral home was later renamed Hulke Family Funeral Home. Brandon continues to work alongside his parents as a licensed funeral director and a licensed preneed insurance agent.

Mike and Kari have been married for over 33 years and have owned and operated the funeral home since 2006.

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Kari Hulke

Owner/Business Manager/Pre-Need Specialist

Kari and her husband, Mike moved to Eau Claire in the summer of 2001. They both had attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, so are proud to make Eau Claire their home.

Before purchasing and working at the funeral home, she had worked for the Eau Claire School District. She has since completed her Master of Arts degree in Counseling, focusing more on the grief aspect of counseling. Kari feels privileged working with families in various phases of their lives.

Kari and Mike have three children. She enjoys traveling, quilting, refinishing furniture, being outdoors, and spending time at their lake place with family and friends.

Funeral Service has always been a part of Kari’s life. Her father owned and operated a funeral home in Wisconsin Rapids. Her Grandfather started that funeral home in the 1950's.

At Hulke Family Funeral Home, we are proud of our genuine, professional, and caring staff. We strive to guide those in need through one of life's most difficult times and we work to ensure that we have done everything possible to meet the needs of the families we serve.

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Brandon Hulke

Funeral Director/Pre-Need Specialist

Brandon graduated high school from Eau Claire Memorial with the class of 2010. Brandon started his apprenticeship with his family's firm in 2012 before heading to mortuary school. He attended Worsham College and graduated in 2014. 

After graduating Brandon moved back to Eau Claire to join his family's team as a licensed funeral director. Brandon and his Wife, Hannah reside in Altoona.
Brandon enjoys golfing, spending time at the family cabin, hunting, going to Viking games, walking his golden retriever, Ryder, and spending time with family and friends.

Brandon loves Eau Claire and the greater Chippewa Valley communities. He is honored to help families remember and celebrate their loved ones.

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Jennifer Palmer

Funeral Director / Embalmer

Jennifer brings seven years of dedicated experience in funeral service to her role. Originally from Denver, Colorado, she graduated from the Arapahoe Community College Mortuary Science Program in 2019. Jennifer is licensed in Wisconsin, Utah, and has worked closely with the Uinta County Coroner’s Office in Wyoming. Her diverse professional background reflects both her technical expertise and her deep commitment to serving families with compassion and integrity.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Jennifer enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors. She is passionate about biking, horseback riding, trap shooting, and embracing all opportunities to connect with the natural world.

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Taylor Peiffer

Student/Director's Assistant

Taylor enjoys rock climbing, open-water swimming, and reading. She loves anything outdoors and spending time with her little sister and cousins.

Ava Knuteson

Student/Director's Assistant

Ava is from the Hudson, she is currently studying at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She is interested in pursuing a career helping people in their time of need. 

John van Gorkom

Director's Assistant/Retired Pastor

Retired Pastor John van Gorkom loves to serve people. He also enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting, camping, and spending time with his 11 grandchildren. He has been married to Denise for 47 years. After 45 years of church ministry, he is thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve people by assisting at the Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Kurt Mattison

Director's Assistant/Chaplain

Kurt Mattison grew up with three brothers in Iowa. He pursued education and coaching at the University of Northern Iowa with a B.S. in Sociology and a Coaching minor. He was fortunate to learn from the best as a member of the 1975 NCAA Wrestling Team Champions, recently inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023. Kurt taught high school psychology for many years and has been coaching wrestling for about 50 years, currently as a volunteer.

Following grad school in Sport Science at the U.S. Sports Academy, Kurt and his wife Denise and two daughters moved to Eau Claire in 1989. After several years as a fitness director, then as a certified youth minister, Kurt opened a sport performance business where he enjoyed his passion for sport conditioning. He eventually sold it and “retired” to be part-time lay-pastor at his church, where he serves people struggling with health and end-of-life issues, and serving as coordinator/host of GriefShare, a grief support program available to the public. Kurt also serves as a licensed Chaplain for Eau Claire and Altoona Police/Fire/EMS. Kurt feels his work at Hulke Family Funeral Home is a natural fit with his ministry passion and experience.

Denise retired as Mayo’s Director of Accounting. They have two daughters and four busy grandchildren. Kurt enjoys following their activities, fitness training, movies, sporting events, and “dirt therapy” – anything outdoors - yardwork/landscaping snow removal, and small construction projects. He also enjoys teaching a self-defense class.

Steve Neevel

Director's Assistant

Steve was born and raised in Conifer, Colorado. He met the love of his life, Kathi, in CO while both were employed in the medical field. They were married in 1990, had two children, a son and daughter and in 1996 relocated to Eau Claire. Steve was a stay-at-home Dad for the early years of their children’s life, then was an entrepreneur with a successful “Handyman” business.
Steve is now enjoying retirement, spending quality time with his granddaughter and is staying active with projects around the home and in the community. He enjoys the outdoors, especially fishing!

Steve is a “people” person & enjoys being a member of the worship team at Peace Church. He has a passion to assist others during their time of need and is honored to be a part of Hulke Funeral Home.

Arlo Frank

Director's Assistant

Arlo grew up a farm kid in the Menomonie area. He moved to Eau Claire in 1990. He is happily married to his wife, Lisa and has two daughters, and two granddaughters with a third granddaughter on the way. He feels fortunate they all live in the area, so he can spend family time with them. Getting together with family and friends is usually at the top of his list. 

Arlo recently retired from his job at UW-Stout. He worked as a custodian, which gave him the opportunity to meet many great people and students. He also has worked part-time in the food service, cooking for many weddings, parties, and banquets. Over the years, he has been involved with Country Jam, helping out in various areas. 

In Arlo’s spare time, he enjoys being home working in the yard or on a home project. He also enjoys scouting for antiques to add to his collection. Arlo is an avid walker, usually going about 10-12 miles per day, five days a week. When he has the chance, he loves to travel anywhere warm and sunny. 

Arlo is extremely excited to join and be a part of the Hulke Family Funeral Home. 

Dave Tackmann

Director's Assistant

Dave grew up in Lake City, MN. After graduating from UW-La Crosse in 1978 with a degree in Health Education. He taught one year in Lake City and then moved to Eau Claire in 1979 to teach in Altoona. He later got his Master's Degree from UW-La Crosse in 1986.

In 1980, He married his wife, Deb. They raised 3 sons, and have been active members of Trinity Lutheran Church for all of their years in Eau Claire.

Dave retired from teaching in 2011. In retirement he enjoys doing more with his sons, daughter in laws, and 5 active grandchildren. He also still enjoys watching sporting events, hunting, fishing, and traveling with Deb.

Dave feels it is an honor to assist people in their time of need, and to be a part of the Hulke Family Funeral Home team.

Jim Bader

Director's Assistant Emeritus

Jim grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota and moved with his family to Eau Claire in 1986. After nearly forty years in the sales and marketing profession, Jim retired in 2004. Jim is married to Colleen (over 50 years) and they have three sons.
When Jim is not working at the funeral home, he volunteers his time on the Step Force team for Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Eau Claire. He and Colleen are members of Salem Baptist Church, where Jim serves as an Elder. Jim is also very involved in other community service and gospel ministries.
In 2006, because of his desire to help people, Jim joined the staff at Hulke Family Funeral Home Funeral Home. Jim is honored to assist families in their time of need.

In summer of 2023, Jim moved to Bismarck, North Dakota to be closer to his family. Jim left a special mark on our family's team and our community. He will be deeply missed, and we will always consider him family.