Our History

The Barnard Funeral Home is significant as a well preserved and singular example of the “Mission Revival Style” of architecture. Designed by a Minneapolis architect, Walter R. Dennis, the building was completed in November of 1930. Stylistic elements of the design are round arch forms, a balcony, barrel tile and shaped gables with curvilinear lines and a smooth stucco surface. The building was constructed at the beginning of the Depression which suggests that Edward Barnard had a view for the future.

In 1930 he built the funeral home to accommodate what he saw as a changing need in the community. Barnard retired in 1946, selling his business to Otto and Ben Benson and in the early 1950s it was sold to Daniel Gearhart. It was then purchased by Joseph Vertin Jr. of Breckenridge who hired Bruce Nilson as a manager. After several years, the building was turned into offices. After a complete renovation of the building including a new state of the art preparation area, Faith & Hope Funeral Home later reopened it in 2006. Diane Duenow saw a need for a change in the high cost of funerals. Faith & Hope Funeral Home offers the highest quality of services and merchandise to the local and surrounding area as well as greater Minnesota.