OUR STAFF

Jim began his career in the deathcare industry when he was 14 years old working parttime as a cemetery maintenance worker. When he turned 18, he started his career in the funeral home side of the business as an apprentice mortician. He graduated from Mt. Hood Community College with an applied degree in mortuary science.

Together with his beautiful wife, Autumn, and four teenage kids, Jim moved to Shelby after the purchase of the Whitted Funeral Chapels in Cut Bank and Shelby from Dan and Pam Whitted in 2014. In 2016, the business grew after the acquisition of the Rockman Funeral Home in Chester from Rlynn and Karen Rockman, and then the purchase of the Pondera Funeral Home in Conrad from Guy and Kathryn Miser.

Jim is an active member of the community, serving on various boards. He spends whatever little time off he has golfing, hunting, traveling and spending as much quality time with his family. He is a foodie, and can tell where to get the best bacon cheeseburger within a 100 mile radius.

Austin started working in the death care industry at 16 years old when his father decided to take over the funeral homes in Shelby and Cut Bank. He started out washing cars, mowing lawns, and handing out pamphlets at funerals. When he graduated high school in 2015, he went off to college to pursue a degree in psychology. After a semester, Austin moved to Argentina for two years where he met his wife, Molly.

Austin moved back to Utah after returning from Argentina and changed his Major from Psychology to Mortuary science. While he went to school, he worked an apprenticeship at Larkin Mortuary in Salt Lake City. In 2020 During the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin cut his apprenticeship in Utah short and returned home to assist the family business. He has been here ever since.

Austin currently resides with his Wife, Dog, and Son in Shelby, Montana. He hopes to be able to take over the family business and continue to serve families in North Montana for years to come.

Jenna was born and raised in Montana, and moved around the country quite a bit in her youth. Jenna graduated from Malta High, and worked for a number of years in the medical field, before becoming involved in the funeral industry. Jenna graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2023 with her Bachelors degree in funeral science. In her spare time, Jenna enjoys hunting, fishing, traveling, and cheering on her beloved Kansas City Chiefs. In addition, Jenna enjoys spending time with her husband Kyle and are expecting their first child in late 2023.

Wendy was born and raised in Shelby, just down the interstate from her home for the past 30 years, Conrad. She has worked in the Pondera Funeral Home office now for 20 years. Wendy will be the one you will talk to if you call any of the four Asper Funeral Home locations and works daily with her favorite thing of all, paperwork.

Wendy and her husband, Roger, enjoy Conrad and can be seen at many sporting events or just taking a walk around town. They both are active in the community and Wendy serves on the Pondera Cemetery Board along with her passion, Pondera Players, and Pondera Arts Council.