Funeral Home History

O'Brien - Straatmann Funeral Home was established when their predecessor, A.G. Bower started a furniture and undertaking business on Central Ave. and Railroad street in Kearney. They kept that location until moving into a converted house on 22nd and 1st Ave. In July of 1945 Vance A. Nielsen purchased the funeral home. In 1955, he built a new facility at 2115 2nd Ave. In 1957, Vance also purchased the Peterson Funeral Home in Elm Creek. In 1977 he semi-retired and sold the business to Miller Godberson of Gibbon. Miller and his son, Brandt operated the business until Miller's death in 1993.
   Stephen O'Brien and Gary Straatmann purchased the business in September 1994. During May of 1998, they started construction on a 10,000 sq. ft. facility near the Kearney Cemetery and was completed in December of that same year.