About Us
Our Valued Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
Alan Hillestad
Owner/Director/Licensed Pre-Need Consultant
Alan Hillestad realized his life-long dream in February 2011 when he purchased Nelson-Martin Funeral Service. A long-time resident of the Redwood Falls-Morgan area, Al has worked as a funeral director in the surrounding communities since 1995. He grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, attended Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, and received his degree in mortuary science from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois. Al and his wife Jennifer have six children Isabel, Aleeha, Jackson, Noah, Tevin and Camren.
Jimmy Sands
Diane Radel
Funeral Assistant
Julie Mensen
Office/Funeral Assistant
Julie Mensen was born and raised on a dairy farm north of Albany, MN. After graduation, for 18 years, Julie was the executive administrative assistant for Fingerhut. In 2003, Julie worked for Capital One as a Fraud Coordinator ‘til her retirement in 2024. Back when Julie’s father passed away, she had interest in funeral assisting. January of 2025, joined Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Service.
Julie moved north of Belview, MN in 2019, with her husband Greg on a hobby farm. She has chicken egg layers, raises a hog for their pork, gardening and canning. When not working, Julie loves to motorcycle, travel, and spend time with their 20 grandchildren and family and friends.
Jim Johnson
Funeral Director
