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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Haley Picco

Funeral Director

Haley brings years of dedicated service to Hulke Family Funeral Home, having worked as both a Funeral Director and apprentice. She graduated from White Bear Lake Area High School in Minnesota in 2017 and began her college journey in Duluth before completing her studies in the Mortuary Science Program at Des Moines Area Community College. Prior to passing her board exams and earning her Funeral Director’s license, Haley gained valuable hands-on experience through a two-year apprenticeship after completing coursework at Milwaukee Area Technical College.

She is deeply committed to serving families with compassion, attention to detail, and a personalized approach, ensuring each service reflects the unique life and personality of their loved one. Haley is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support families in the Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire communities and strives to meet each family’s individual needs.

Outside of work, Haley thoroughly enjoys traveling, and either driving or taking the train to Chicago to attend concerts. She is an avid collector of antiques and trinkets, decorating her home to reflect her vibrant and unique personality. In her free time, she also enjoys putting together puzzles, amassing an impressive collection, and going out to play Bingo.

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.