2302 East Divide Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: 855-858-1880
Fax:
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What Families are Saying

Our Experienced Staff

Robert Eastgate, Owner/Funeral Director

Bob Eastgate was born in Bismarck, graduating from Bismarck High School in 1976. After attending Bismarck Junior College for two years, Bob completed his schooling at Mount Hood Community College. Upon returning to Bismarck, Bob began his work in funeral service with his father Chuck; and purchased the business in 2000.

Throughout his career, the goal has been to help families heal after experiencing loss and to serve with dignity and compassion. “I am very proud of our staff, and the privilege to serve families in our community.  We consider it a sacred duty to help families celebrate a life lived.”
Curt Ableidinger, Crematory Manager

Curt Ableidinger was born in North Dakota and grew up in Kensal.  After graduating from high school Curt attended University of Mary achieving his bachelor’s degree in Business.

Along with his responsibilities as Superintendent of Sunset Memorial Gardens, Curt began work at Dakota Cremation Services in 2009 as a certified crematory operator.  His expertise and reliability keep Dakota Cremation Services running efficiently.  Curt is also very accommodating to the funeral home staff and the families they serve.  He truly exemplifies the “Service” in Dakota Cremation Services.
Rudy Rivera, Cemetery/Crematory Assistant

Rudy Rivera was born in Eagle Pass, Texas but grew up in East Grand Forks where he graduated from High School.  He continued his education at The University of North Dakota.

Rudy moved to Bismarck in 2012 and began work at Sunset Memorial Gardens as a valuable member of the Sunset team.  In 2013 he began his training as a crematory operator.  Rudy is energetic and his hard work is an asset to both Sunset Memorial Gardens and Dakota Cremation Services.
Joe Braun, Funeral Director

Joe Braun was born in Minot but his family moved to Bismarck while Joe was in elementary school. He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1990. He then graduated from Bismarck State College, and attended Mount Hood Community College in Portland, OR. Joe began working at Eastgate Funeral Service right after high school; and after completing his degree in mortuary science at Mt. Hood, he returned to Bismarck and became a licensed funeral director in 1995.

During his career, Joe has served as SW District Governor for the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association.

Funeral service has many challenges, and Joe is satisfied knowing that he has the experience and knowledge to answer families’ questions and to help them through a most difficult time.
Mark Scanson, Funeral Director

Mark Scanson was born and raised in North Dakota and graduated from Century High School in 1991. He attended North Dakota State School of Science and Bismarck State College before attending Mt. Hood Community College in Portland, OR, where he graduated with his mortuary science degree.

Mark began working at Eastgate Funeral Service while in high school, and after returning to Bismarck, he began working as a licensed funeral director. Mark has been a part of the Eastgate family for over 20 years and wants to care for other families in the service he provides.
Doug Brown, Funeral Director

Doug Brown was born in ND and grew up in Larimore where his father was also a funeral director. After graduating from high school in 1987, Doug attended the University of North Dakota before going on to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he received his BS degree in mortuary science.

Doug moved to Bismarck and has been with Eastgate and Parkway Funeral Service since 1991. Although being raised in a funeral service family, Doug still had choices available to him for a career. For Doug, funeral service presented the opportunity to minister to a family's needs and also to help answer the bigger spiritual questions surrounding life and death.