The Glende-Johnson-Nelson-Nilson Funeral Homes have served the families of our communities with caring and compassion for over 50 years.

Evan Glende, lifelong resident of the Fergus Falls area, together with Sam Miller, built the present facility in 1950 called Glende-Miller Funeral Home. Years later, Adolph Johnson joined the firm and the name Glende-Johnson Funeral Home was adopted.

In 1969, Doug Nelson joined the firm and in 1995, Glende-Johnson-Nelson Funeral Home partnered with Bruce Nilson, who owned and operated the Nilson Funeral Homes of Fergus Falls, Battle Lake, Ashby, and Evansville. Today, Doug Nelson continues to manage the four chapels, along with funeral directors Bruce Nilson, Rick Mekalson, and Chris Carlson.

After nearly 50 years of operation in the same facility, the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home & Cremation Service held an open house on Thursday, July 11, 2002 to celebrate a major renovation and expansion. As part of the remodeling, a state-of-the-art 4,200 square-foot addition was constructed in what was the original funeral home parking lot. Among many other things, the renovation included the addition of a brand new chapel and crematory.

The new addition houses a beautifully-appointed lobby, handicapped-accessible restrooms, and a new chapel with seating for 180. The 700 square-foot addition on the back, extending the length of the garage, houses a crematory and provides an outside seating area next to the beautiful Otter Tail River and Veterans Park. The original building was also completely renovated to include an expanded display room, a kitchenette, a children’s room, and a multi-purpose room. The multi-purpose room serves as a second chapel, space for arrangements, pre-need presentations and functions, and receptions following chapel services. New staff offices and an updated preparation room now complete the nearly 10,000 square-foot facility.