Our Story
Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
Ever since we opened our gates we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are not a burial ground. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.

Since 1966, the families in Fort Dodge and Webster County area have called upon Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services for the finest service, the most comfortable facilities, and the most compassionate attention to their needs. Families trust the Gunderson staff in their time of need because of our reputation for professionalism, understanding, flexibility and attention to detail. The wide range in options are that we offer to families are virtually limitless and the care our funeral staff family offers to those families we serve simply know no bounds.
Mr. Sellergren retired in 1977, and the company was renamed Gunderson Funeral Home. Upon Robert C. Gunderson’s death in 1989, Phillip Gunderson assumed management. He, his wife Keely, and his staff, have been extensively involved in community service and philanthropic activities. Annual sponsorships in support for Trinity Hospice, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, public and private school foundations and a host of community activities. Phil and Keely are Past Co-Chairs of the St. Edmond Ball, serve as Co-Chairs of the Every Option Every Hope Capital Campaign for a Comprehensive Cancer Center at Trinity Regional Medical Center. Phil and Keely were recognized in 2008 as Philanthropists of the Year by the Fort Dodge Alliance for Philanthropy. Phil is 2003 recipient of the Spirit Of St. Edmond Alumni Award given for his outstanding dedication, service and commitment to his community, his church and to St. Edmond Catholic School System.
Our firm is a member of and is consistently recognized by the Iowa Funeral Directors Association with the Award of Excellence, an award for community service.Member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Cremation Association of North America, International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association and the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.
Phil Gunderson and the Gunderson Staff continue to build upon the legacy and tradition of the original three partners, understanding and providing for the individual desires of families in their time of need.
Why Us?
In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.

We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.
Learn the legacy.
Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services was established years ago, and serving families has always been our focus. We take pride in being able to guide people through some of their most difficult days. We take pride in maintaining a setting that allows people to find solace. Celebrating life is our mission. That’s never changed. And with pride, it never will.

Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.

Phil Gunderson
Owner / Funeral Director / Embalmer
[email protected]
Phil Gunderson, owner and funeral director at Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremations Services, grew up in Fort Dodge. Phil is a graduate of St. Edmond High School, Iowa Cental Community College and the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. Phil has been a licensed funeral director since 1980 and returned to the family business in 1982. Phil became President of Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in 1989.
Phil has a long history of involvement in community boards and philanthropic initiatives . Currently, Phil serves on the St. Edmond Development Board, Friendship Haven Board, Fort Dodge Betterment Foundation Board, Berryhill Center for Mental Health Board, Iowa Health Systems Home Healthcare / Hospice Board, Trustee of Mid-America Council of Boy Scouts of America. Phil is a longtime volunteer for the Bridges Mentor Program. Phil serves as Co-Chair of the Every Option, Every Hope – Capital Campaign to Build a Comprehensive Cancer Center at Trinity Regional Medical Center.
Phil is a member of Holy Trinity Parish, Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, Fort Dodge Kiwanis, National Funeral Directors Association, Iowa Funeral Directors Association, Cremation Association of North America, International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association.
Phil and his wife Keely have a son, Rob who is also a licensed funeral director on the Gunderson Staff.

Keely Gunderson
Keely Gunderson, Community Events Coordinator at Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, was born in Fort Dodge. Keely has been a lifelong Fort Dodger and graduated from St. Edmond High School.
Keely has a long history of involvement in varied community organizations and initiatives. Keely is a long serving volunteer for the Bridges Mentor Program, Trinity Hospice and Operation Christmas. Keely serves as a Co-Chair of the Every Option, Every Hope – Capital Campaign for a Comprehensive Cancer Center at Trinity Regional Medical Center.
Keely is a member of Holy Trinity Parish, Catholic Daughters of America, Monican Mothers; St. Francis Chapter, Legion of Mary, Trinity Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, PEO Chapter JX, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
Keely and her husband Phil have a son Rob, who is a funeral director on the Gunderson Staff.

Rob Gunderson
[email protected]
Rob is a 2003 graduate of Saint Edmond High School and a 2006 graduate of the Des Moines Area Community College Mortuary Science Program. Rob began his career with Hamilton’s Funeral Home in Des Moines where he worked for three years before returning in 2008 to become the third generation to serve at Gunderson’s.
Rob and his wife Kelcie make thier home in Fort Dodge. Rob enjoys working and being involved in the Fort Dodge community. He is currently serving on the Youth Shelter Care Board, Fort Dodge Public Library Board, Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Board and serves as a local Ambassador for the Growth Alliance. He is a professional member of the National Funeral Directors Association, International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association and the Cremation Association of North America. He is local member of the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club and is currently serving on the Board.
In his free time he also enjoys playing golf, wakeboarding, working on his house and playing with his dogs Izzy and Kaci.

Kevin Rogers
Funeral Director / Embalmer
[email protected]
Kevin Rogers joined the staff of Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services as a funeral director in July 1990.
A native of Marshalltown, Iowa, he has been married to his wife Michelle since 1987, and she is a teacher at St. Edmond Catholic School. They have three sons, Nathan, David and Jared. Kevin has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since 1991, where he has served as an Elder and Deacon and has served on many church ministry teams. He has served on the Trinity Hospice Foundation Board and has helped train volunteers for hospice. He served two terms on the Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Directors and since 1991 has officiated football, basketball and volleyball. Other interests include theater work, reading for IRIS and playing piano.
Kevin received his professional training at Worsham College of Mortuary Science located near Chicago, graduating in 1987, and is committed to providing families with high quality of attentive service.

Dallas Wall
Funeral Director / Embalmer
[email protected]
Dallas Wall was born in Minnesota and graduated from Worthington
Community College. He then attended and graduated from Mid-America
College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Dallas has been
a licensed funeral director since 1982 and has worked in Minnesota and
Iowa. He has been with Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services
since 1998.
Dallas and his wife, Barb, have two grown sons, Grant (Judy) and
Jordan (Leah) and five grandchildren. He is a member of CrossWay
Evangelical Free Church and Gideons International.
His professional memberships include the National Funeral Directors
Association and Cremation Association of North America.

Janet Hubbell
Pre-Planning Consultant / Funeral Director / Embalmer / Celebrant
[email protected]
Janet Hubbell, licensed funeral director and pre-planning consultant, has been employed with Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services since October of 2002.
She is a graduate of West Bend/Mallard High School and received her B.A. degree from Briar Cliff College, Sioux City, IA. She is also a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.
Janet is a Certified Celebrant from the Insight Institute. A Celebrant provides a funeral service that is personalized to reflect the personality and life-style of the deceased. A Celebrant offers an alternative to a service provided by a clergy person for those families who are not affiliated with a church or who do not wish to have a traditional religious funeral service. A Celebrant service is completely personal, incorporating those unique stories, songs, and experiences that defined the loved one.
Professional organizations that Janet is a member of include; NFDA and ICCFA. She is a member of the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club and PEO Chapter JX. She serves as a board member for Dodger Pre-School as well as a board member for Life Works Foundation. Janet and her husband Luke have three children; Owen, Elsie and Sadie. They are members of Holy Trinity Parish.
Explore Our Location
See where we are located.
Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1615 North 15th Street
Fort Dodge, IA 50501