Gill Brothers Funeral Service & Cremation


Our Staff

Gill Brothers Funeral & Cremation Services Staff

We are nothing without our dedicated staff. If you take a few minutes to get to know us online, when you walk through our doors and see familiar faces, it will make your experience with us that much better.
Daniel J. McGraw | Funeral Director
Daniel J. McGraw, President

Dan started working in the family business while attending Edina-East High School in 1976. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1981 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science. Dan is a fourth-generation funeral director, following the path of his Great-Grandfather, Michael Gill, Grandparents, May and John Gill, and his mother and father, Joanne Gill and Neil McGraw. Dan and his wife, Anne, are active with their children, grandchildren, and their church, Our Lady of Grace.
Mesa L. MacDonald | Funeral Director
Mesa L. MacDonald, Funeral Director

Mesa grew up in Prior Lake, MN and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science. She began working at Gill Brothers Funeral Home in 2002. She lives in New Brighton.
Steven F. Branstad | Funeral Director
Steven F. Branstad, Funeral Director

Steven Branstad is a native of Lake Mills, Iowa. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, he became a funeral director with Gill Brothers in 1978. Steve, wife Gwenn and three sons are members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He has been a member of the National Lutheran Choir since 1986.
Taylor B. Erickson | Funeral Director
 Taylor B. Sandquist, Funeral Director

Taylor graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She then continued her education at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) where she obtained her Advanced Diploma in Mortuary Science in 2014. Taylor began working at Gill Brothers Funeral Home as an intern in 2012. Upon graduation from DMACC in 2014, Taylor joined the Gill Brothers staff as a licensed funeral director.
Taylor B. Erickson | Funeral Director

Joseph P. McGraw, Funeral Director

Joe graduated from Saint John’s University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. After graduation he served four years in the Army at Ft. Carson, CO. Joe started at Gill Brothers in 2021. He continued his education at Des Moines Area Community College where he graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Mortuary Science in 2022. In his free time, he enjoys playing hockey, riding motorcycles, and spending time outdoors with his wife.

Daniel J. McGraw | Funeral Director
Abbie C. Pickerign, Funeral Director Intern  

Abbie graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in
Mortuary Science. She began working at Gill Brothers Funeral Home in 2019 as a student, and came on as a funeral director after graduation.
Brian Gill McGraw | Funeral Staff
Brenna K. Shaffner, Intern

Brenna grew up in Delano, MN and spent several years working as a personal caregiver prior to beginning her career in funeral care. She is currently working toward an Advanced Diploma in Mortuary Science through Des Moines Area Community College. Brenna has been an intern with Gill Brothers since the spring of 2021. 
Brian Gill McGraw | Funeral Staff
Brian Gill McGraw, Facilities Engineer

Brian oversees our three beautiful funeral homes. He is a 1975 graduate of Edina-East High School, served three years active duty in the United States Marine Corps and three more years in active reserve. He has a Criminal Justice Degree from the University of Minnesota and retired after 20 years with the Minneapolis Police Department.
Melissa A. Lucas | Funeral Home Staff
Melissa A. Lucas, Staff Member

Melissa graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science and began working at Gill Brothers shortly thereafter. She is back working part time at our New Hope Chapel after taking 12 years off to raise her children
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