About Us

The Iten Funeral Home of Browerville was family owned and operated for over 100 years. Formerly known as the Iten & Heid Funeral Home, in October of 2021, the 4th generation looked for someone to take over the funeral home that had similar values and passion for rural small-town America. It was during the 2021 year that they met Julie and Aaron Stern. Julie is a native of rural Todd County and was eager to have the opportunity to serve families closer to home. The two couples sat down at Mike and Heidi’s kitchen table and were able to discuss a plan for Julie and Aaron to purchase the funeral home.

Our goal is to serve each family as we would want our own family cared for. Not every day is perfect, but we really are dedicated to serving each family and meeting their needs during this difficult transition in life. We are one of the few independently owned funeral homes in Minnesota, and our loyalty is to your family, rather than corporate shareholders.

Julie (Forbregd) Stern is a native of rural Osakis and Todd County. She attended Alexandria Technical College graduating with a diploma in practical nursing, which she then worked for the next thirteen years in hospital, nursing home and clinic performing direct patient care. She then returned to college and completed a degree in mortuary science in 2014. Julie feels it is an honor that families choose us to care for their loved one. She is a former Rotarian, and still works hard at living the “service above self” motto. Julie is married to her husband Aaron, they have two daughters Brooke and Kennedy; two dogs, Axel and Lewey ; a few cows and one kitty, violet. When she is not working, Julie enjoys being outside and spending time with her family and friends. I try and live each day as the gift it is. “Every day we are here on earth is a gift, that someone in heaven wishes they had.”

 She is looking forward to serving the area communities and their members.

Mike and Heidi are partially retired. They still live in the Browerville area and are active in the community: Browerville City Council, Lions Club, and the Browerville School Board. Their dedication to being a part of the community has not wavered. They still can be seen working services or doing some of the day-to-day activities at the funeral home. They really enjoy traveling, hunting, fishing, camping, chasing their kids and spoiling their grandkids.

The funeral home is also a member of the Minnesota Funeral Director’s Association, National Funeral Directors Association and supporters of Children's Grief Connection, a camp that helps to provide children with encouragement and support during their time of grief.

We hope the information that we have put together in this web site is helpful to you. We understand that although this information is helpful it might not answer every question, so please feel free to contact us with any further questions. You can call us at (320) 594-2242 or email us directly at itenfuneralhome@gmail.com.