Staff

Staff members of Schott Funeral Homes are caring and experienced professionals who understand that each family is unique and has personal requests and traditions. These requests and traditions are of utmost importance to our staff of licensed funeral directors.

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Isaiah L. Schott Owner/Funeral Director schottfh@gmail.com

Isaiah is originally from Clermont, Iowa and graduated from Valley (CEW) High School in 1999.

After high school he continued his education at Hawkeye Community College and graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science.

Isaiah served his apprenticeship at Major Erickson Funeral Home in Mason City, becoming a licensed funeral director in 2004. He also holds his Life Insurance License for the State of Iowa. He has a solid background in all facets of funeral service including advanced funeral planning and monument and marker sales.

 

In 2014, Isaiah became the managing partner of Petersen-Lund Funeral Home in Forest City and on April 1, 2020 became the sole owner, now Schott Funeral Home.  On May 1, 2018, Isaiah and Tasha acquired the Mittelstadt Funeral Home from Bart and Medara Winter.  Isaiah and Tasha have now merged the two locations, staff, talents and years of experience to form Schott Funeral Homes, Forest City and Lake Mills. 

 

Isaiah and his wife, Tasha have two daughters, Cambry (age 14) and Laityn (age 11) and their Goldendoodle, Ziggy. He and his family are members of the Forest City United Methodist Church. Isaiah is also a member of Bear Creek Golf Course, Forest City Rotary Club, Iowa Funeral Director Association, National Funeral Directors Association and Selected Independent Funeral Homes.

 

Isaiah and his wife, Tasha look forward to serving the Lake Mills and Forest City communities and families with the same professionalism and compassion and care that has been a tradition of both funeral homes for so many years.  We are lucky to live in such wonderful communities!

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Amy A. Edgerton Funeral Director/Monument Specialist schottfuneralhomes@gmail.com

Amy Alexia (Schoonover) Edgerton was born in Edina, Minnesota, and moved with her family (parents Sander and Sue, and older brother Jeff) to Lake Mills, Iowa, at the age of 3.

 

Amy graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1991 and went on to attend Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota, where she was enrolled in the pre-mortuary science program (and was a basketball cheerleader). She went on to attend the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where she received her bachelor's degree with honors in mortuary science in 1995.  She has been a licensed funeral director in Iowa and Minnesota since 1998. 

 

Prior to moving back home to Lake Mills, Amy was a funeral director in Belmond, Iowa, where she also met (on a blind date) and married her husband, Cameron Edgerton in June of 2002. Amy joined the Mittelstadt Funeral Home Staff in December 2003.  Amy is honored to also now be serving families at Schott Funeral Home in Forest City as well.

 

Amy's husband, Cam, is the light plant supervisor with the City of Lake Mills and is a retired volunteer firefighter with the LMFD.  The couple has two children, Molly (28) a graduate of the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, who teaches middle school art at a private school in Nevada, and Kate (21) a student at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida, pursuing a career in nursing. Amy is a member of Winnebago Lutheran Church and a member of PEO Chapter EX. With two daughters in opposite directions of the country, Facetime is a blessing and we all have Snapchat streaks.

 

Whenever Amy has time to herself, she enjoys swimming, canning produce from Cam's garden, trying new recipes to cook at home, and watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel. Most recently, her free time has been spent attempting to master different  sourdough bread/baking recipes.

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Spenser A. Brackey Funeral Director/Monument Specialist schottfuneralhomes@gmail.com

Spenser is very proud to be born and raised right here in Lake Mills, IA!  He is the son of Vance and Kim Brackey, and has two adult siblings: Tyler (Jana) Brackey and Braedi (Allan) Wickard.

 

After graduating from Lake Mills High School, Spenser continued his education at Minnesota State University, and later graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's Degree in Mortuary Science in May '13.

 

Spenser began his career in funeral service serving the Albert Lea, MN area for the past seven and a half years at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and most recently, managed those three locations for the past three years.  He was honored to walk alongside many families, and is thankful for all he had learned from his co-workers over the years.

 

Spenser married Ashley (Hengesteg), also of Lake Mills, in December of '13.  Ashley is currently the Director of the Lake Mills Community Preschool and Daycare, overseeing the excpetional care of many children in our community.  Together, they have three children: Lilly, Addy, and Emmy.  Spenser is proud to be a #GirlDad!

 

If you can't find Spenser working at either of the Schott Funeral Home locations, he can most likely be found golfing, boating, or helping on the family farm.  Spenser is thrilled to be back in the community where he was raised, and is looking forward to serving the Lake Mills, Forest City, and surrounding communities for many years to come!

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Bart Winter Funeral Director

Bart was born and raised in Buffalo Center, IA. He graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1975 and attended North Iowa Area Community College and then transferred to the University of Minnesota.

In 1979 he received his Bachelor of Science degree and served his Minnesota internship at the Vine Funeral Home in Rochester, MN. After graduation he worked a short time at the Ranfranz Funeral Home in Rochester to fulfill his Minnesota license requirements.

In 1980 Bart moved to Des Moines, IA where he worked at the Westover and Dunn's Funeral Homes where he served his Iowa internship and fulfilled his Iowa license requirements.

In 1984, Bart returned to his home town of Buffalo Center where he joined his father, George, in running the Winter Funeral Home and the Winter Furniture Store. It was at this time Bart started helping and covering for the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills.

On May 1, 1990, Bart purchased the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills, IA, from Robert and Dotty Mittelstadt.

On December 18, 1998 Bart was united in marriage to Medara Levorson-Olson at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. Medara Winter was born and raised in rural Lake Mills, the daughter of Morris and Truly Levorson.

Medara is a graduate of Lake Mills High School "Class of 1978". Medara and Bart actually met while Medara was working for Winnebago Coop Telephone Association when Bart called in with a service complaint...the rest is history.

Bart and Medara have three children between them, Natalie and her two children, Parker and Penelope Simonet, who currently lives in Minneapolis, MN, Kessa Meyer (Alex) who lives in Ames, IA; and Tyler Olson who still live at home in Lake Mills with them.  Bart and Medara sold the funeral home to Isaiah and Tasha Schott in May of 2018.

Even though Bart and Medara have sold the funeral home, they are not retiring or going anywhere.  Bart will continue to work as a funeral director along with Isaiah, Amy and Spenser.  "I've been doing this for 40 years and it is time to step back and let Isaiah run the business.  Bart will recieve his 40 year membership pin with the Iowa Funeral Directors Association in the spring of 2021.

   

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Natasha L. Schott Preneed Counselor/Owner natashaschott@yahoo.com

Tasha Schott holds her Iowa Life Insurance License and is an agent with Homesteaders Life Company, she is a Preneed Specialist for both funeral homes she owns with her husband.  She is the wife, of Isaiah and the proud mom to her daughters, Cambry (14) and Laityn (11) and her other kid, Ziggy (Goldendoodle).  Tasha is also a licensed cosmetologist for the last 20 years.  In her free time she enjoys spending time at the lake with her family, attending the girls many events and coordinating the hectic schedule of her family!

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Ziggy Schott Chief Comfort Officer

Ziggy came from Goldendoodle Acres in Neenah, Wisconsin.  He came to his forever home in August of 2019 at 8 weeks old.  Ziggy attended Knallhart Kennels and Training Academy in Iowa City, Iowa for 12 weeks where he successfully completed his Canine Good Citizen, Canine Good Citizen-Advance, ADA's Public Access and Comfort Therapy Dog program.

 

Ziggy loves coming to work each day, he enjoys greeting visitors that come to the funeral home and is available to comfort families during funeral arrangements and visitations and funerals at request. Ziggy has been a wonderful addition to the staff at the funeral home.

 

When not at work, Ziggy LOVES to play fetch, go on walks and spend time with his family at home!

Schott Funeral Home

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Marcia Tweeten Visitation Attendant

Marcia is a retired Curriculum Coordinator and School Improvement Consultant.  She presently works part-time at Edward Jones in Forest City as well as serves as the visitation hostess at the funeral home in Forest City.  Marcia is actively involved at the First Baptist Church as the Coordinator of Front Door Ministry as well as the Hospitality Coordinator.  She enjoys serving others through cooking and baking, enjoys listening to music, enjoys taking care of her cats and organizing things like decorating her new home!  Marcia and her husband Charles live in Forest City.

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Marlen Hanson Retired/Support Staff

Marlen Hanson is a life-long resident of Forest City. Karen, his wife worked for the Forest City School District for 23 years until retirement and Marlen worked for Winnebago Industries for 19 years until retirement. Together they have three children and six grandchildren. Marlen and Karen started working for Petersen Lund Funeral Home in 2002. Karen worked as a attendant for visitation and Marlen helped as support staff for funerals, he also helped with other odd jobs at the funeral home. Karen passed away July 15, 2022 at the age of 80.  Marlen still stops in and checks in on everyone and every once in a while will fill in when needed.

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Orin Harris Support Staff

Orin and his wife Jan have been residents of Forest City since 1978. Together they have 4 children and four grandchildren. Orin worked for KIOW radio in Forest City for 35 years until his retirement. He is a member of Forest City Rotary Club and also the Forest City United Methodist Church. Orin works as support staff for funerals.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home

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Heidi Christenson Visitation Attendant

Heidi and her husband, Danny live in Emmons, Minnesota where they both also work.  Heidi is the Administrative Assistant at Emmons Lutheran Church and Danny is the city of Emmons maintenance employee.  They have two sons, a daughter and son-in-law.  Heidi enjoyes volunteering for church events, house renovations, visiting with family and friends and traveling, especially to Montana!

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Bonnie Rodberg Support Staff

Bonnie Rodberg and her husband Steve live in the Rice Lake community of Lake Mills, IA.  They have two grown daughters and four fantastic grandchildren.  Bonnie enjoyes golfing, spending time with family and friends, volunteering with the Lake Mills Historical Society and playing the organ at church.  She retired from running her own beauty shop in Joice and brought all her talents along with her!  Bonnie takes care of all the hairdressing, works visitations and does whatever else we need her to do.  She is a wonderful addition to our staff!

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Jim Thompson Support Staff

Jim Thompson is originally from Lake Mills, IA. He and his wife, Kathy live in Lake Mills. Jim is a retired supervisor from Larson Manufacturing where he worked for many years; prior to that, he was employed by Winnebago Industries in Forest City.

 Jim and Kathy have a son Brad and his wife Nicole along with four wonderful grandchildren that keep them young and on-the-move.  Jim's hobbies include camping with his family, hunting, buying and selling guns, and oh yes...cars!  He can tell you everything you'd ever wanted to know about a particular make and model.

 Jim is our right hand man and we are very fortunate to have him on staff with us!

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Steve Knudtson Support Staff

Steve Knudtson is a retired farmer from the Joice, IA area. Steve is kind enough to help us out in any capacity we need him at a moments notice.

Isaiah L. Schott

Owner/Funeral Director
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Isaiah is originally from Clermont, Iowa and graduated from Valley (CEW) High School in 1999.

After high school he continued his education at Hawkeye Community College and graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science.

Isaiah served his apprenticeship at Major Erickson Funeral Home in Mason City, becoming a licensed funeral director in 2004. He also holds his Life Insurance License for the State of Iowa. He has a solid background in all facets of funeral service including advanced funeral planning and monument and marker sales.

 

In 2014, Isaiah became the managing partner of Petersen-Lund Funeral Home in Forest City and on April 1, 2020 became the sole owner, now Schott Funeral Home.  On May 1, 2018, Isaiah and Tasha acquired the Mittelstadt Funeral Home from Bart and Medara Winter.  Isaiah and Tasha have now merged the two locations, staff, talents and years of experience to form Schott Funeral Homes, Forest City and Lake Mills. 

 

Isaiah and his wife, Tasha have two daughters, Cambry (age 14) and Laityn (age 11) and their Goldendoodle, Ziggy. He and his family are members of the Forest City United Methodist Church. Isaiah is also a member of Bear Creek Golf Course, Forest City Rotary Club, Iowa Funeral Director Association, National Funeral Directors Association and Selected Independent Funeral Homes.

 

Isaiah and his wife, Tasha look forward to serving the Lake Mills and Forest City communities and families with the same professionalism and compassion and care that has been a tradition of both funeral homes for so many years.  We are lucky to live in such wonderful communities!

Amy A. Edgerton

Funeral Director/Monument Specialist
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Amy Alexia (Schoonover) Edgerton was born in Edina, Minnesota, and moved with her family (parents Sander and Sue, and older brother Jeff) to Lake Mills, Iowa, at the age of 3.

 

Amy graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1991 and went on to attend Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota, where she was enrolled in the pre-mortuary science program (and was a basketball cheerleader). She went on to attend the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where she received her bachelor's degree with honors in mortuary science in 1995.  She has been a licensed funeral director in Iowa and Minnesota since 1998. 

 

Prior to moving back home to Lake Mills, Amy was a funeral director in Belmond, Iowa, where she also met (on a blind date) and married her husband, Cameron Edgerton in June of 2002. Amy joined the Mittelstadt Funeral Home Staff in December 2003.  Amy is honored to also now be serving families at Schott Funeral Home in Forest City as well.

 

Amy's husband, Cam, is the light plant supervisor with the City of Lake Mills and is a retired volunteer firefighter with the LMFD.  The couple has two children, Molly (28) a graduate of the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, who teaches middle school art at a private school in Nevada, and Kate (21) a student at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida, pursuing a career in nursing. Amy is a member of Winnebago Lutheran Church and a member of PEO Chapter EX. With two daughters in opposite directions of the country, Facetime is a blessing and we all have Snapchat streaks.

 

Whenever Amy has time to herself, she enjoys swimming, canning produce from Cam's garden, trying new recipes to cook at home, and watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel. Most recently, her free time has been spent attempting to master different  sourdough bread/baking recipes.

Spenser A. Brackey

Funeral Director/Monument Specialist
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Spenser is very proud to be born and raised right here in Lake Mills, IA!  He is the son of Vance and Kim Brackey, and has two adult siblings: Tyler (Jana) Brackey and Braedi (Allan) Wickard.

 

After graduating from Lake Mills High School, Spenser continued his education at Minnesota State University, and later graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's Degree in Mortuary Science in May '13.

 

Spenser began his career in funeral service serving the Albert Lea, MN area for the past seven and a half years at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and most recently, managed those three locations for the past three years.  He was honored to walk alongside many families, and is thankful for all he had learned from his co-workers over the years.

 

Spenser married Ashley (Hengesteg), also of Lake Mills, in December of '13.  Ashley is currently the Director of the Lake Mills Community Preschool and Daycare, overseeing the excpetional care of many children in our community.  Together, they have three children: Lilly, Addy, and Emmy.  Spenser is proud to be a #GirlDad!

 

If you can't find Spenser working at either of the Schott Funeral Home locations, he can most likely be found golfing, boating, or helping on the family farm.  Spenser is thrilled to be back in the community where he was raised, and is looking forward to serving the Lake Mills, Forest City, and surrounding communities for many years to come!

Bart Winter

Funeral Director
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Bart was born and raised in Buffalo Center, IA. He graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1975 and attended North Iowa Area Community College and then transferred to the University of Minnesota.

In 1979 he received his Bachelor of Science degree and served his Minnesota internship at the Vine Funeral Home in Rochester, MN. After graduation he worked a short time at the Ranfranz Funeral Home in Rochester to fulfill his Minnesota license requirements.

In 1980 Bart moved to Des Moines, IA where he worked at the Westover and Dunn's Funeral Homes where he served his Iowa internship and fulfilled his Iowa license requirements.

In 1984, Bart returned to his home town of Buffalo Center where he joined his father, George, in running the Winter Funeral Home and the Winter Furniture Store. It was at this time Bart started helping and covering for the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills.

On May 1, 1990, Bart purchased the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills, IA, from Robert and Dotty Mittelstadt.

On December 18, 1998 Bart was united in marriage to Medara Levorson-Olson at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. Medara Winter was born and raised in rural Lake Mills, the daughter of Morris and Truly Levorson.

Medara is a graduate of Lake Mills High School "Class of 1978". Medara and Bart actually met while Medara was working for Winnebago Coop Telephone Association when Bart called in with a service complaint...the rest is history.

Bart and Medara have three children between them, Natalie and her two children, Parker and Penelope Simonet, who currently lives in Minneapolis, MN, Kessa Meyer (Alex) who lives in Ames, IA; and Tyler Olson who still live at home in Lake Mills with them.  Bart and Medara sold the funeral home to Isaiah and Tasha Schott in May of 2018.

Even though Bart and Medara have sold the funeral home, they are not retiring or going anywhere.  Bart will continue to work as a funeral director along with Isaiah, Amy and Spenser.  "I've been doing this for 40 years and it is time to step back and let Isaiah run the business.  Bart will recieve his 40 year membership pin with the Iowa Funeral Directors Association in the spring of 2021.

   

Natasha L. Schott

Preneed Counselor/Owner
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Tasha Schott holds her Iowa Life Insurance License and is an agent with Homesteaders Life Company, she is a Preneed Specialist for both funeral homes she owns with her husband.  She is the wife, of Isaiah and the proud mom to her daughters, Cambry (14) and Laityn (11) and her other kid, Ziggy (Goldendoodle).  Tasha is also a licensed cosmetologist for the last 20 years.  In her free time she enjoys spending time at the lake with her family, attending the girls many events and coordinating the hectic schedule of her family!

Ziggy Schott

Chief Comfort Officer
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Ziggy came from Goldendoodle Acres in Neenah, Wisconsin.  He came to his forever home in August of 2019 at 8 weeks old.  Ziggy attended Knallhart Kennels and Training Academy in Iowa City, Iowa for 12 weeks where he successfully completed his Canine Good Citizen, Canine Good Citizen-Advance, ADA's Public Access and Comfort Therapy Dog program.

 

Ziggy loves coming to work each day, he enjoys greeting visitors that come to the funeral home and is available to comfort families during funeral arrangements and visitations and funerals at request. Ziggy has been a wonderful addition to the staff at the funeral home.

 

When not at work, Ziggy LOVES to play fetch, go on walks and spend time with his family at home!

Heidi Christenson

Visitation Attendant
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Heidi and her husband, Danny live in Emmons, Minnesota where they both also work.  Heidi is the Administrative Assistant at Emmons Lutheran Church and Danny is the city of Emmons maintenance employee.  They have two sons, a daughter and son-in-law.  Heidi enjoyes volunteering for church events, house renovations, visiting with family and friends and traveling, especially to Montana!

Marcia Tweeten

Visitation Attendant
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Marcia is a retired Curriculum Coordinator and School Improvement Consultant.  She presently works part-time at Edward Jones in Forest City as well as serves as the visitation hostess at the funeral home in Forest City.  Marcia is actively involved at the First Baptist Church as the Coordinator of Front Door Ministry as well as the Hospitality Coordinator.  She enjoys serving others through cooking and baking, enjoys listening to music, enjoys taking care of her cats and organizing things like decorating her new home!  Marcia and her husband Charles live in Forest City.

Bonnie Rodberg

Support Staff
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Bonnie Rodberg and her husband Steve live in the Rice Lake community of Lake Mills, IA.  They have two grown daughters and four fantastic grandchildren.  Bonnie enjoyes golfing, spending time with family and friends, volunteering with the Lake Mills Historical Society and playing the organ at church.  She retired from running her own beauty shop in Joice and brought all her talents along with her!  Bonnie takes care of all the hairdressing, works visitations and does whatever else we need her to do.  She is a wonderful addition to our staff!

Jim Thompson

Support Staff
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Jim Thompson is originally from Lake Mills, IA. He and his wife, Kathy live in Lake Mills. Jim is a retired supervisor from Larson Manufacturing where he worked for many years; prior to that, he was employed by Winnebago Industries in Forest City.

 Jim and Kathy have a son Brad and his wife Nicole along with four wonderful grandchildren that keep them young and on-the-move.  Jim's hobbies include camping with his family, hunting, buying and selling guns, and oh yes...cars!  He can tell you everything you'd ever wanted to know about a particular make and model.

 Jim is our right hand man and we are very fortunate to have him on staff with us!

Steve Knudtson

Support Staff
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Steve Knudtson is a retired farmer from the Joice, IA area. Steve is kind enough to help us out in any capacity we need him at a moments notice.

Marlen Hanson

Retired/Support Staff
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Marlen Hanson is a life-long resident of Forest City. Karen, his wife worked for the Forest City School District for 23 years until retirement and Marlen worked for Winnebago Industries for 19 years until retirement. Together they have three children and six grandchildren. Marlen and Karen started working for Petersen Lund Funeral Home in 2002. Karen worked as a attendant for visitation and Marlen helped as support staff for funerals, he also helped with other odd jobs at the funeral home. Karen passed away July 15, 2022 at the age of 80.  Marlen still stops in and checks in on everyone and every once in a while will fill in when needed.

Orin Harris

Support Staff
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Orin and his wife Jan have been residents of Forest City since 1978. Together they have 4 children and four grandchildren. Orin worked for KIOW radio in Forest City for 35 years until his retirement. He is a member of Forest City Rotary Club and also the Forest City United Methodist Church. Orin works as support staff for funerals.