Staff

At Eastgate and Parkway Funeral & Cremation Service, we know that when a family experiences a loss, there are many decisions to be made. It is very important that when you visit with anyone about any aspect of funeral service, that the person be licensed and equipped to present all important information needed. At our funeral home, we have a full staff of experienced funeral service professionals who are fully equipped to present all the information needed for a family to make informed, comfortable decisions. From the time the first phone call is received, throughout the service and beyond, each of our staff contributes in an important way. We are very proud of our staff, and hope that you will take the time to learn more about them.

 Bob Eastgate 

Owner/Licensed Funeral Director 

Bob Eastgate was born in Bismarck, graduating from Bismarck High School in 1976. After attending Bismarck Junior College for two years, Bob completed his schooling at Mount Hood Community College. Upon returning to Bismarck, Bob began his work in funeral service with his father Chuck; and purchased the business in 2000.

Throughout his career, the goal has been to help families heal after experiencing loss and to serve with dignity and compassion. “I am very proud of our staff, and the privilege to serve families in our community.  We consider it a sacred duty to help families celebrate a life lived.”

 Joe Braun 

Licensed Funeral Director 

Joe Braun was born in Minot but his family moved to Bismarck while Joe was in elementary school. He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1990. He then graduated from BSC and attended Mount Hood Community College in Portland, OR. Joe began working at Eastgate’s right after high school; and after completing his degree in mortuary science at Mt. Hood, he returned to Bismarck and became a licensed funeral director in 1995.

During his career, Joe has served as SW District Governor for the NDFDA. Funeral service has many challenges, and Joe is satisfied knowing that he has the experience and knowledge to answer families’ questions and to help them through a most difficult time.

 Mark Scanson

Licensed Funeral Director

Mark Scanson was born and raised in North Dakota and graduated from Century High School in 1991. He attended ND State School of Science and Bismarck State College before attending Mt. Hood Community College in Portland, OR, where he graduated with his mortuary science degree.

Mark actually began working at Eastgate's while in high school, and after returning to Bismarck, he began working as a licensed funeral director in 1996. Mark has been a part of the Eastgate family for over 20 years and wants to care for other families in the service he provides.

 Lois Miller

Licensed Funeral Director

Lois Miler, a life-long resident of North Dakota, was born in Bismarck. She attended school in Sterling and graduated from Bismarck High School. Lois then graduated from Bismarck State College.

After having an interest in funeral service for many years, and after experiencing death in her own family, Lois made the decision to attend Cypress College in Cypress, CA, where she received her mortuary science degree. She returned to ND and has worked with Eastgate/ Parkway Funeral Service since 2002.

Lois believes she has fulfilled a life-dream in walking with a family through some of the most difficult times of their lives and helping them heal.

 Doug Brown

Licensed Funeral Director

Doug Brown was born in ND and grew up in Larimore where his father was also a funeral director. After graduating from high school in 1987, Doug attended the University of North Dakota before going on to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he received his BS degree in mortuary science.

Doug moved to Bismarck and has been with Eastgate/Parkway Funeral Service since 1991. Although being raised in a funeral service family, Doug still had choices available to him for a career. For Doug, funeral service presented the opportunity to minister to a family's needs and also to help answer the bigger spiritual questions surrounding life and death.

 Ashlee Dewitz

Licensed Funeral Director 

Ashlee Dewitz was born in Bismarck and grew up in Tappen on the family farm and in Linton where she graduated from high school. 

After attending Minnesota State College at Moorhead for three years, Ashlee participated in a student exchange program in Australia for six months. Ashlee graduated from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, with a BS in Mortuary Science. Following her graduation in 2008, Ashlee moved to the Bismarck area, and began her career with Eastgate/Parkway Funeral Service. 

Ashlee is a people person who has experienced the satisfaction of serving families who are facing the challenges of loss, and helping them create a unique service for their loved ones. 
 

Carleen Hennenfent

Licensed Funeral Director & Aftercare Coordinator

Carleen is a licensed funeral director, and has been a part of the staff at Eastgate Funeral Service since 1992, where she first began working with families wishing to prearrange their funeral. After focusing on preneed for over twelve years, Carleen began focusing completely on Grief Care for families. Along with being a volunteer with Medcenter One's Good Grief Program, Carleen facilitates four separate LOTUS groups, which were created by Carleen in 1993. Carleen utilizes her professional experience in working with over three-thousand families over the years, to help support grieving individuals on their journey toward healing.

 Aanders Jackson

Licensed Funeral Director

Aanders Jackson was born in 1962 in Breckenridge, MN. Following his graduation from high school, Aanders attended and graduated from North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota in 1984. He moved to Bismarck in 1986 and began working at Eastgate Funeral Service in 1988. Aanders served for a number of years in the NDFDA and as its president in 2000. Aanders has been an important member of the staff at Eastgate/Parkway Funeral Service and in addition to his work as a funeral director; he is also a certified crematory operator.

 Lisa Heidrich

Office Manager

Lisa Heidrich was born in Strasburg, ND, and graduated from Strasburg High School. She completed her education at Minot State University. Lisa has been working with Eastgate/Parkway Funeral Service since 1996 and is responsible for the business and accounting duties. Her strong work ethic ensures that each families needs are promptly resolved. And, above all; she is sensitive and caring, while being efficient.

 Melissa Eastgate-Holen

Office Manager

Melissa Eastgate-Holen was born in Bismarck and graduated from Century High School in 1998 and from the University of Minnesota Moorhead with a degree in mass communications in 2003. After working at the Bismarck Tribune, she began work with Eastgate/Parkway Funeral Service in 2006, where she has been instrumental in creating personalized service information for families. Along with her skills in the office; she has a warm and caring nature in helping families honor their loved one.