Our Staff

Kent Swanson

Retired Former Owner & Funeral Director

George Kent Swanson was born on January 12th, 1944 in Beatrice to Kenneth and Edythe Swanson. Kent’s dad and grandfather were both funeral directors in Beatrice and Wahoo respectively. In 1951, Kent’s family moved to North Platte when his father and Bill Adams started Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. He attended St. Pat’s and graduated from there with the class of 1962. He attended Creighton University and graduated in May 1966 with a Bachelor’s of Science in History and a Minor in Political Science and Philosophy. In October 1966 he joined the U.S. Navy as an officer and was stationed in San Diego. After his enlistment in 1969 he attended the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. After completing school he returned to North Platte and received his funeral director’s license in 1971. In 1972 Kent married Linda Krause. The couple have four children; Sarah, Jason, Molly, and Joseph; and two grandchildren, Zoe and Xavier. Kent belongs to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus as a 4th degree Knight and the American Legion.

Mike Montgomery

Owner, Funeral Director, & Embalmer

Mike Montgomery grew up in Cozad, Nebraska, born to Brian and Peggy (Naylor) Montgomery, who still reside at Cozad. Mike graduated from Cozad High School in 1990. He then attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney for four years before finishing his schooling at Kansas City, Kansas School of Mortuary Science. Mike and his wife Laura moved to North Platte in 1995 where he has been at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Laura works for PS Connections in North Platte. Mike and Laura have three daughters, Katherine, Allison, and Megan.

Kalan Rayburn

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Kalan Rayburn was born in Imperial, Nebraska in 1990 and raised primarily in North Platte, Nebraska. She graduated from North Platte High School in 2008 and then graduated from Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, CO, with a degree in Mortuary Science in 2020. In September of 2022, she received her Nebraska license for funeral directing and embalming. Kalan has been employed by Adams & Swanson Funeral Home and Carpenter Memorial Chapel since February of 2019. Funeral directing has been an aspiration of hers since a young age and she is passionate about going above and beyond to help the families she works with. In 2023, Kalan married Scott Rayburn and together they have four children, Brexlyn, Berkley, and twins, Huxley and Prestyn. Kalan enjoys being outdoors, volunteering, running, and is on the Flatrock Roller Derby team.

Bradan Hengen

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Bradan Hengen's journey began in July 2021, job shadowing. After some time, he decided this was the profession he wanted to pursue. Bradan attended Kansas City Kansas Community College's mortuary program and graduated May of 2024 and went on to recieve his Nebraska Funeral Director & Embalmer License.

Bradan was born to Doug and Monica Hengen, the oldest of three; Leah and Calisa being his two younger siblings. Bradan is a reptile owner, having two ball pythons, Savannah and Apollo, as well as, two leopard geckos, Ash and Char. Being a lover of nature, he spends a lot of his spare time outdoors.

Mark Skillstad

Pre-Need/Final Expense Insurance Counselor

Mark Skillstad grew up on a family farm in eastern Nebraska. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Kearney State College in 1979 and was subsequently employed by the North Platte Catholic schools for over 40 years. He faithfully served the school system as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and principal. He earned his master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of NE at Kearney in 1988. Upon his retirement from the Catholic school system, he became employed by the Adams & Swanson Funeral Home and Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Mark handles the pre-need/final expense insurance planning for the funeral homes. He is married to his wife of 34 years Raegan; and together they have a son, Aiden and a daughter, Kinsey both currently enrolled at UNL.

Cassie Veal

Funeral Director Assistant & Crematory Operator

Cassie Veal began full-time employment with Adams & Swanson Funeral Home and Carpenter Memorial Chapel in February 2022. She is a main source of support and can be found at either location, as necessary. Cassie is an active participant in the Platte River Fitness Series and loves spending time with her husband, Travis, and their dogs.

Mary Elliott

Administrative Assistant

Pam Johnson

Administrative Assistant

Terrie Mooney

Administrative Assistant

Judy Holys

Administrative Assistant

Dennis O'Brien

Support Staff

Bill Condon

Support Staff

Tom Condon

Support Staff

Karolyn Fletcher

Support Staff

Pat Richards

Support Staff

Kristi Hengen

Support Staff

Justin Durboraw

Funeral Director & Embalmer/Support Staff