Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.
Chad C. Osthus
Funeral Director/Owner
Chad was born in Watertown, SD, to Brent and Dianne (Redlin) Osthus. He grew up in DeSmet, SD, and graduated from Dell Rapids High School. He attended Dakota State University, Madison, SD, and graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College in Kansas City, KS, with a degree in Mortuary Science in 1996. Chad started working for Mike and Jackie Skroch at the Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau, SD. In August of 1997, he married Kristi Knight, daughter of Rod and Doris Knight, of Watertown. In 2000, Chad and Kristi moved to Watertown and he became affiliated with the Crawford Funeral Chapel where he has worked since. Chad and Kristi purchased the funeral home from Bill and Susan Crawford in 2015. Kristi works as the Director of Health Information at Prairie Lakes Hospital and they have two daughters, Morgan and Macee. They belong to Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer. Chad belongs to the Watertown Optimist Club and is a founding member of “Building Stronger Hearts”. Together, with his family, he enjoys anything outside from camping, fishing and boating to attending their children’s events. Chad enjoys a ride on his motorcycle in his spare time.
Austin Sheehan
Funeral Director
Austin was born in Danville, IN, to Tim and Lisa Sheehan. He graduated from Marshall Senior High School, Marshall, MN, in 2009. After graduation, he attended MN West Community and Technical College in Canby, MN, where he obtained his degree in Wind Energy Technology and then moved to Watertown, SD, in 2012. Austin obtained his Associates of Mortuary Science from Des Moines Area Community College and graduated March, 2020. Austin started working for Kaye Cahill at the Cahill Funeral Chapel in Sisseton, SD, in June of 2018, where he completed his apprenticeship. He has worked full-time with Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel since January of 2020.
Austin and his wife Ashley have one child, Meredith. When Austin isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with family, camping, and fishing. Austin currently serves as the Deputy Coroner for Codington County and Roberts County.
Andi Schmidtgall
Funeral Director
Andi was born in Watertown, SD, to Ed and Marlys Sasse. She graduated from Watertown High School in 2006. After graduation, she attended Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown and obtained her Cosmetology and Dental Assisting Degrees. In 2017, Andi obtained her Associates of Mortuary Science from Des Moines Area Community College and became a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer in April of 2018. She has worked full-time with Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel since March of 2017.
Andi and her husband, Justin, reside in Watertown, SD. In January of 2023, they welcomed their daughter, Shay Ivy. She is a member of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer. She is active in the summer and enjoys being outside, playing softball, kayaking and watching dirt track racing.
William J. Crawford
Retired Funeral Director/Former Owner
Bill was born and lived in Watertown, SD, until 1963, when his family moved to Redfield, SD. He graduated from Redfield High School in 1971. Bill attended Dakota State College in Madison, SD, and graduated in 1974 from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, IL. He worked as a funeral director in Huron, SD, and Mitchell, SD, before moving back to Watertown where he started Crawford Funeral Chapel in 1986. Bill and his wife, Susan, have three children and four grandchildren. They are very active members of Holy Name Catholic Church and the Sioux Falls Catholic Diocese Foundation. Bill is also a member of Rotary, Masons and the Knights of Columbus.
Valerie R. Engels
Administrative Assistant
Val was born in Madison, MN and attended Madison High School where she graduated in 1989. After graduation she attended Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, SD where she received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in 1991. Val started her career working at F&M Bank for 5 years, Lake Area Technical College for 5 years, Verifications Inc. for 10 years and most recently at Reliabank for 13 years. Val joined the staff at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in October 2022.
Val married Brian Engels of Watertown, SD in September 1995. Val is an active member and serves on the Board for the Watertown Optimist Club and Habitat of Humanity Greater Watertown Region where she serves as Treasurer. When not working, Val enjoys doing anything outdoors in the summer months, shopping, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Rod Iverson
Funeral Assistant
Rod was born in Watertown, SD, to Alvin and Dorothy Iverson. He graduated from Watertown High School and attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology and Biology. Rod has served as funeral director assistant at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel since 2010. He began working here after retiring from sales and supervisory positions with Sara Lee Baking Company for 36 years. Rod and his wife, Nancy, are parents of Mark and his wife, Alissa, and proud grandparents of Kaylee, Mason, Kyler and Emersyn. When not at work, Rod enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing and riding his Harley.
Nicole Berg
Funeral Director - De Smet
Nicole was the third of three children born to Dr. John and Mrs. Mena Berg in De Smet, SD. She graduated from De Smet High School in 2018, already with the goal of working with the Osthus Family. She attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, followed by mortuary school at Des Moines Area Community College. After completing her apprenticeship with Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel, Nicole received her license as a funeral director and embalmer in the fall of 2022. Outside of the funeral home, Nicole remains active in the De Smet community- primarily through local theater. She has been known as a judge at high school oral interpretation competitions, co-director to both the One-Act Play and the All-School Play at De Smet High School as well as having been assistant and then co-director of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant and repeat actor in De Smet’s annual Christmas radio play. In her truly free time, Nicole is a resolute cinephile and enjoys movie marathons as well as series-watching sprees with her loved ones and four pets.
Dan Snyder
Funeral Director - Arlington
Dan was born in Brookings, SD, to Vernon and Marilyn (Henry) Snyder. He grew up in Arlington and Rapid City, SD, and graduated from Rapid City Central High School. After graduation he joined the United States Marine Corp in 1974 and was honorably discharged. Dan obtained his Mortuary Science degree from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1990. Dan started working for Behrens Mortuary in Rapid City, SD until it sold in 2000 when he then was working for Kesling Funeral Home. In 2022 Dan relocated back to Arlington, SD to assist with Osthus Funeral Chapel in DeSmet, SD. In January of 2023 Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel purchased the Johnson-Henry Funeral Home in Arlington, SD where he has become actively involved.
Dan and his wife Tamara reside in Arlington, SD and he is a member of the American Legion Post #42 of Arlington.
