Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home

About Us

A funeral is a celebration of your life—a commemoration of what is uniquely you. We can help you express your own ideas about this personal remembrance. A personalized service creates a more meaningful memorial for your loved ones. Planning in advance helps you make a more personal statement.

Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home, one of the oldest family-owned businesses in Storm Lake, continues a tradition of service started when H.L. Hughes first established the business in 1900.

Nathan A. Jensen, Owner and Funeral Director

Nathan Jensen, a Galva native, graduated from Waldorf College in Forest City prior to attending Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. He is a graduate of John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville. His wife, Nancy, assists in the funeral home operation. The Jensens are proud parents of a daughter, Elli, born June of 2003 and a son, Braxton, born in August of 2007.

Nathan is a member of the Storm Lake Hy-Noon Kiwanis, Habitat for Humanity Board, Storm Lake Chamber of Commerce, Ducks Unlimited and B.V. County Pheasants Forever. He had also served on the Parade of Flags Board and has assisted with other organizations in the area: Relay for Life, Storm Lake Basketball Jamboree and Lake Preservation. In 2007, Nathan was co-chair of the Buena Vista University Capital Campaign. He is a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Storm Lake.

Timothy J. Smith, Funeral Director

Timothy J. Smith, a Webb native, graduated from Iowa State University in Ames with a degree in Agricultural Business. He worked in the agri-banking industry prior to his enrollment in mortuary school. Tim graduated from Kansas City, Kansas Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science. His wife, Erin, works as a nurse at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. They have two children: Bennett and Avery.

Tim is an active member of the community serving on different boards and organizations: Storm Lake Hy-Noon Kiwanis, Storm Lake Chamber of Commerce Board and currently President of the Storm Lake Lions Club. He is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake.

J. Craig Fratzke, Owner and Funeral Director

J. Craig Fratzke, an Oelwein native, attended Upper Iowa College and graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1975. He spent 8 years at the Oelwein Daily Register in advertising and as Advertising Director, then was a sales representative for KOEL Radio in Oelwein for two years before attending mortuary school. Prior to moving to Storm Lake, he was a partner in the George L. Gay Funeral Home in Iowa City. Craig purchased the Hughes-Nelson Funeral Home in November of 1990. As the result of a merger in 2001, Craig became a co-owner of the present-day Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes corporation.

Craig’s service activities include membership in both the National and Iowa Funeral Directors Associations; serving his second 3-year term as a member of the Iowa Board of Mortuary Science Examiners and currently serving as the chairman of its Discipline Committee; member and former board member Storm Lake Hy-Noon Kiwanis Club; George F. Hixon Fellow of Kiwanis International; former Buena Vista University Community Campaign Co-Chair; past president and former board member B.V. Work Activity Center (now Genesis Development); member of BPOE Elks Lodge #1636, Jewel Masonic Lodge #309 and IOOF Lodge #221;served as Co-Commodore 1995 & Commodore 1996 of Storm Lake's July 4th Star Spangled Spectacular and continues to co-chair the annual fund raising for the SSS; and BV County Relay For Life chair of corporate sponsorship 1998-99.

Craig and his wife, Nancy, have three sons: Darin and Amy and their daughter Emma of Harlan,
Iowa; Daniel and Connie and their sons Nathan and Jacob of Wilton, Iowa; and David Fratzke of Joplin, Missouri.

The Fratzkes are members of Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake, where Craig serves as an elder and deacon.

Craig enjoys antique automobiles and is a member of SERPACI Club. He and Nancy are members of Lake Creek Country Club—Nancy enjoys playing golf, while Craig does play, but isn’t sure he “enjoys” it!

Ann Onnen, Support Staff

Ann Onnen is our office manager and personalization specialist. With over 20 years of experience in the marketing field, Ann has wonderful expertise to help each family create the memorial of their choice by which to remember their loved one. She works with families to provide them with personalized custom memorial folders, thank you notes, memorial books, video memorials and also writes and produces the firm’s corporate newsletters and marketing pieces.

Ann and her husband Bernie live on an acreage near Schaller. Bernie owns and operates his own trucking company, Country Truck Line, Inc. Ann enjoys freelance creative work and in her spare time loves to garden. Their children are Corey and wife Megan Peterson of Alta; Cole Peterson of Schaller; Cassady and Luke Bartlett of Bowling Green, Kentucky; Shawn and Roger Fredrick of Des Moines; Corey Onnen and Gayle Onnen of Des Moines. They also have four grandchildren, Jacob, Jaden and Carlie Fredrick and Shea Ann Peterson.

Nancy Jensen, Support Staff

Nancy Jensen attended Northwestern College in Orange City prior to transferring to Western Iowa Tech Community College where she graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. After obtaining her degree, Nancy worked at Sports Rehab and Professional Therapy Associates in Storm Lake for seven years. Nancy married Nathan in August 2001 and had a daughter, Elli, in 2003, and a son, Braxton, in 2007. In 2003, Nancy began working full-time for the funeral homes, where she handles the bookkeeping duties and assists with funeral services as needed.

Nancy has been involved in the Greater Storm Lake Area Jaycees and the Buena Vista Relay for Life. She is a member of Storm Lake United Methodist Church and is currently serving on the Faith Hope & Charity Board of Directors. She enjoys outdoor activities, assisting in church functions, playing volleyball and spending time with her family.