Staff Directory

Gary L. Strand Co-Founder/Owner/Funeral Director

Gary, as co-founder of Purath-Strand, remains an active owner and continues in his role as a funeral director and manager of daily business operations. Gary is a native of Racine. He graduated from Racine Lutheran High School, after which he served in the U.S. Air Force on both active duty and reserve status for seven years during the early 70's. Gary began his career in funeral service in 1975 and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in both Illinois and Wisconsin. He passed the National Board of Funeral Service Examiners in 1978. Gary is a licensed Insurance Intermediary. He is also a Certified Crematory Operator. He holds a Bachelor of Science with emphasis in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch College. Gary is a member of the Moose Lodge #437 and is a past President and current member of the Board of Directors of Racine Fourth Fest. Gary and his wife Gay have four children and 2 grand daughters. In his spare time he enjoys sporting events and is an avid Badgers, Packers and Nascar fan. But most of all he loves spending time with his family, and traveling with his wife.

Kelly A. Benson Funeral Director

Kelly is a native of South Milwaukee. Her career in funeral service began in 2002, joining Purath-Strand later that same year. Kelly served her apprenticeship and internship with Purath-Strand. She is a graduate of Milwaukee Area Technical College and passed the National Board of Funeral Service Examiners in 2004. Kelly is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Wisconsin. She is also a Certified Crematory Operator. Kelly and her husband Corey have two children, Mariah and Collin. They also have a Black Lab named Gus and a Chihuahua named Rex. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Kelly also enjoys reading and playing softball.

Richard E. Purath Co-Founder

Dick began his career in funeral service in 1958. He attended St. Norbert's College in DePere before attending the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science in Milwaukee, graduating in 1960. He passed the National Board of Funeral Service Examiners in 1960 and is licensed as a funeral director and embalmer in both Michigan and Wisconsin. Dick served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. A Green Bay native, Dick owned and operated a funeral home in Marinette before coming to Racine. Dick has been a handball player for many years, and is very active in the Racine YMCA as well as other local service organizations. Dick has a keen interest in modern European-American history, focusing on the World War II era.

Rev. John Fleming
Continuing Care Coordinator/Pastoral Associate

Robert Akulian
Associate

Donald Johnson
Buildings & Grounds Maintenance 

Robert LaFond
Associate

Ron Londre'
Building & Grounds Maintenance

Kathy Mattson
Senior Administrator

Paul Schaefer
Associate

Gene Schuster
Senior Associate

Ryan Strand
Information Management

Mark Villalpando
Associate