Nelson-Doran Funeral Home

Nelson-Doran Funeral Home We strive to provide a funeral that, even though you may be heartbroken over the death, it is also beautiful, meaningful, and uplifting. Albert E. Losey. Isaac T.

It's the kind of funeral you remember, even years later, because it was the perfect tribute to someone very special. Brainerd's first undertaking firm was that of Mr. He came to Brainerd in 1882. Dean joined him in 1884. Mr. Losey continued in this business until his death in 1910. The next undertaker in Brainerd - in addition to Losey and Dean, was a man named Daniel M. Clark. Clark was in business here for 40 years, until his retirement in 1923. He died 10 year later in November of 1933. In 1910, after the death of Mr. Losey, B. C. McNamara was added to the list of undertakers. He was employed prior to coming to Brainerd in 1908 as a licensed embalmer for 6 years in the Twin Cities. He spent 2 years in Brainerd before going into business for himself. In 1924, after D. M. Clark retired. B. McNamara took over his undertaking business and renamed it the McNamara Funeral Home. Daniel E. Whitney of Sauk Center, an employee of Losey and Dean, took over the operation of the firm after the death of Mr. Dean in 1914. During the time from 1920-1927, only Whitney and McNamara are listed as the only undertakers in this period of Brainerds history after the retirement of D. In 1954, John Nelson purchased the Whitney Funeral Home at 720 Front Street and in 1956, Thomas Doran purchased the Hoenig Funeral Home at 502 Front Street. In 1960, the Nelson Funeral Chapel and the Doran Funeral Chapel merged to create the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home. At that time they built the new facility at it's current location, on the east side of Brainerd. In 1987 John Nelson retired and Thomas Doran continues with his son Michael Doran, who joined the firm in 1987. Erik Christensen joined the firm in 1988. During the winter of 1996, a cremation facility was added to the Brainerd Chapel. John Nelson died on January 9, 2003.

12/20/2025

Coming in January! A FREE Workshop from Lisa Woog on End-of-Life Planning.
We are happy to share that The Center will be hosting a 6-session series by Lisa called Standing at the Threshold – Tending to the Things That Matter Most. This workshop will be held on one Friday a month beginning January 19 and running through May 2026. Thanks to a grant from and a generous donation from Nelson-Doran Funeral Home, this offering is FREE (25 participants max). Learn more about the topics, dates, and cost https://thebrainerdcenter.com/a-new-workshop-on-end-of-life-planning/

12/20/2025

Our funeral director, Kendal Tuomi, wishes you a wonderful time with your family and friends this holiday season. Some of her favorite parts of Christmas are new jammies (her daughters got ballerina ones this year!) and enjoying Swedish meatballs...and if there are some cozy socks and good book in her stocking she is all smiles.

From our family to yours: Merry Christmas!




Mike and Wendy are wishing you SO much SNOW this year for Christmas! They love to ski and snowmobile so the year's off t...
12/19/2025

Mike and Wendy are wishing you SO much SNOW this year for Christmas! They love to ski and snowmobile so the year's off to a great start and they wish you the time and opportunity to enjoy all winter beauty Northern Minnesota offers! And if you have a chance to relax after a long day on the sled with a glass of wine and some friends - well that's a blessing as well!

From our family to yours: Cheers to wonderful Christmas time!




Brittany Beimert and family hope you enjoy a wonderful Christmas time. Some of their favorite family activities during ...
12/18/2025

Brittany Beimert and family hope you enjoy a wonderful Christmas time. Some of their favorite family activities during Christmas are: board games (Blokus anyone?), eating good food, and watching the kids' faces light up when they get the lego set they have been wanting.

From our family to yours: Happy Christmas!




Connie Marie Peterson, age 76, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025, in Goodyear, Arizona, held in the loving arm...
12/16/2025

Connie Marie Peterson, age 76, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025, in Goodyear, Arizona, held in the loving arms of her husband of 57 years, Tom—just one day after celebrating her birthday.

Born on December 12, 1949, in New Ulm, MN, Connie was raised on a farm in Courtland Township,...

View Connie's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Richard Goetz, 85, of Brainerd, passed away Sunday, December 14, 2025 at Essentia Health - St. Joseph's Medical Center. ...
12/15/2025

Richard Goetz, 85, of Brainerd, passed away Sunday, December 14, 2025 at Essentia Health - St. Joseph's Medical Center.

Richard's family is planning a private memorial in his honor.

View Richard Goetz's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

William N. Matthies, Jr., 90, of Brainerd, passed away at his home, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, December 14, 20...
12/15/2025

William N. Matthies, Jr., 90, of Brainerd, passed away at his home, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

A Service for Bill will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd. Family and friends are invited to gather one hour prio...

View Bill's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Terry D. Van Sickle, 66, of the Brainerd Lakes Area, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Good Samaritan Socie...
12/12/2025

Terry D. Van Sickle, 66, of the Brainerd Lakes Area, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society – Bethany Campus, surrounded by the family he so dearly loved.

Born October 3, 1959, in Brainerd to Dale and Hazel (Smith) Van Sickle, Terry spent all 66 years exactly w...

View Terry Dean Van Sickle's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Debra Marion Borden, 72, of Brainerd, passed away on December 9 after a courageous battle with cancer. Debra was born on...
12/09/2025

Debra Marion Borden, 72, of Brainerd, passed away on December 9 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Debra was born on October 31, 1952, in New Ulm, the daughter of Harvey and Verda (Hagg) Messner. She was a devoted mother who cherished every moment spent with her family—whether watching ...

View Debra Marion Borden's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Kathleen Mary O’Brien (Kathy), age 94, was called into the loving arms of Jesus on December 2, 2025. Kathy was born on N...
12/08/2025

Kathleen Mary O’Brien (Kathy), age 94, was called into the loving arms of Jesus on December 2, 2025. Kathy was born on November 30, 1931 in St. Paul, MN to Leo and Ida Klein. She grew up in Brainerd, attended Saint Francis Catholic School and graduated from Brainerd High School in 1949. She worked f...

View Kathleen Mary O'Brien's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Darrell W. Hannahs, age 86, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2025, at Essentia Health – St. Joseph’s M...
12/08/2025

Darrell W. Hannahs, age 86, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2025, at Essentia Health – St. Joseph’s Medical Center.

Darrell was born on November 4, 1939, in Brainerd, to parents Buzz and Marjorie Hannahs. He proudly served his country in the United States Armed Forces for ...

View Darrell William Hannahs's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Address

202 8th Avenue NE
Brainerd, MN
56401

Telephone

+12188294755

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nelson-Doran Funeral Home posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Nelson-Doran Funeral Home:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category