Michael Hulke

Owner/Funeral Director

Bio Coming Soon!

Email: 

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.

Email: 

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 fiancé, 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.

Email: 

Dan Layhew

Funeral Director

Dan is a 2011 graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. After working in funeral service for several years in his hometown of Peoria, Illinois, Dan relocated to Medford, Wisconsin in 2014. He and his family moved to Chippewa Falls in 2019.

Dan served in the United States Air Force and worked on the C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft. He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant and is an Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan Campaign Veteran.

He and his wife, Alison, have one beautiful daughter, Eira Kay. They enjoy time spent together as a family especially while camping, boating, golfing, snowmobiling and playing with their Doodle Dogs “Abe and Lincoln.” He is an avid Packers fan and enjoys collecting all things Leinenkugel's.

“As a funeral director, I strive to provide the best possible service through remembrance and tribute to lives well lived. Being able to achieve a meaningful funeral experience for each family requires careful listening and attention to detail, as well as an understanding of each family's needs. I am honored to serve the families of Chippewa Valley through funeral service, death care education and other community activities.”

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.

Steve Blodgett

Director's Assistant

After graduating from Eau Claire North in 1981, Steve went on to attend college at UWEC for four years. While attending college in Eau Claire Steve was a member of the UW-Eau Claire Blugold Hockey team for 4 years from 1981 to 1985.
After graduating with a Business Administration degree, Steve spent time with American Girl Company and Famous Footwear before starting to work for the State of Wisconsin, Department of Workforce Development. For the last 21 years Steve has been the Western Regional Director for Job Service. Steve has served on numerous Boards in his career and is currently serving on the Western and West Central Workforce Development Boards, which he has served on for over 20 years.
In 1987 Steve married to Karen and they have 3 children, Ethan, Sidney and Quin. Karen has been a State of Wisconsin, DNR employee for the past 30 years. They currently have two beautiful grandchildren with more on the way. Steve and Karen have lived in Eau Claire for the past 28 years with stops in Fargo, ND and Madison, WI.
Steve is an active outdoorsman, and he and his wife enjoy biking, hiking, traveling, and seeing their grandkids. The two of them love family, friends and living in the Chippewa Valley. Steve is happiest helping those in need and is grateful to be a part of the Hulke Family Funeral Home team.

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.

Kurt Mattison

Director's Assistant/Pastor

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.

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.