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 busine

ss 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.

Plan today and protect your loved ones tomorrow.
06/03/2026

Plan today and protect your loved ones tomorrow.

Carol Brand, 85, of Brainerd, MN peacefully passed away on May 29th, 2026.Carol was born in St. Paul, MN in 1941 to Carl...
06/01/2026

Carol Brand, 85, of Brainerd, MN peacefully passed away on May 29th, 2026.

Carol was born in St. Paul, MN in 1941 to Carl and Mary Schwartz. Carol attended Our Lady of Peace High School in St. Paul. In 1964, Carol married Edmund Brand of St. Paul and they went on to have two children, Paul a...

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

Nona F. Cummings, age 91, of Brainerd, formerly of California, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving fam...
06/01/2026

Nona F. Cummings, age 91, of Brainerd, formerly of California, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Edgewood Vista Senior Living in Brainerd.

Nona will be remembered for the love she shared with her family and the many memories created th...

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

Make TIME now to save what can be overwhelming tasks later.
06/01/2026

Make TIME now to save what can be overwhelming tasks later.




Jeffrey (Jeff) Steven Shanks, 64, passed away May 19, 2026, in Cook, MN. Jeffrey was born on January 22, 1962, to H. Dal...
05/22/2026

Jeffrey (Jeff) Steven Shanks, 64, passed away May 19, 2026, in Cook, MN. Jeffrey was born on January 22, 1962, to H. Dale and Mary (Buxton) Shanks in Brainerd, MN.

Jeffrey worked along with his dad (Dale) in the heating business, Shanks Heating. Jeff loved over the road trucking – 14 years. ...

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

Kind words like these remind us why we do what we do. Our goal has always been to provide guidance, professionalism, gen...
05/21/2026

Kind words like these remind us why we do what we do. Our goal has always been to provide guidance, professionalism, genuine relationships, and to help take a little stress off the shoulders of families during difficult times. Thank you for trusting us to walk alongside you. ❤️



Leonard Wagner, age 87, died at his home on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.A private family service will be held.Lenny was born J...
05/19/2026

Leonard Wagner, age 87, died at his home on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

A private family service will be held.

Lenny was born January 29, 1939 in Brainerd to Earl and Wilma (Hradsky) Wagner. Leonard was a hardworking man who dedicated 43 years of his life to Potlatch, where he built not o...

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

05/18/2026

Alice Marie Pietruszewski, age 98, formerly of Northeast Minneapolis and near Zimmerman, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Northern Lakes Senior Living in Baxter.

Service times will be posted when confirmed.

Alice was born on April 29, 1928, ...

Explore our obituary listings at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home for compassionate support during your time of loss and remembrance of loved ones.

Cornelius Patrick “Pat” Baldwin, age 91, of Lake Shore, MN and Estero, FL died on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at Essentia Healt...
05/18/2026

Cornelius Patrick “Pat” Baldwin, age 91, of Lake Shore, MN and Estero, FL died on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at Essentia Health – St. Joseph’s Medical Center.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Christophers Catholic Church in Nisswa. A visitation...

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

Lyle Kline, age 86, of Nisswa, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, at Hills Crossing Senior Living in Nisswa, one da...
05/15/2026

Lyle Kline, age 86, of Nisswa, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, at Hills Crossing Senior Living in Nisswa, one day before his 87th birthday.

Lyle was born on May 13, 1939, to Edward and Elsie (Brzazowsky) Kline. He dedicated much of his life to music education and inspiring generation...

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

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202 8th Avenue NE
Brainerd, MN
56401

Telephone

+12188294755

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