Our History
Goes Funeral Care was born in 1996. We were told it was a pie in the sky pipe dream, but we were determined to become the first full-service funeral firm in Northern Colorado designed to address changing funeral customs and keep that small-town feel. We saw a growing trend toward cremation, simplified services, and unique celebrations as well as families wanting to be more involved.
Prior to our opening, we watched as funeral service got bigger and the idea grew that big was better. Cost went up, and family involvement went down as the funeral home insisted, they could take care of everything. Funeral services became a package deal – choose A, B or C. That wasn’t how we thought funeral service should be.
Our dream was to start a business based on the old-fashioned principles of funeral service – families saying goodbye to loved ones in a way consistent with their lifestyles whatever that meant; having the funeral director be a trusted friend - someone you could proudly introduce as “your funeral director”. We listened to what people really wanted, however simple, however crazy. And it worked! At Goes Funeral Care, we have created an environment of love and care, going back to the basics of funeral service the way it was meant to be.
In the 25 years since we opened, we have stayed true to our values:
Our Pledge
· We believe that the loving memory of a life lived is most important and that our compassionate guidance to help honor that memory is our ministry.
· We vow to work with the highest standards of integrity and to always treat families and their loved ones in our care with the utmost respect and dignity.
· We are committed to helping create the most meaningful tribute to a person’s life at a sensible price because it is the right thing to do.
· We promise to serve each family with overall superior service, focusing on their needs first with the greatest attention to detail.
· We are committed to educating families to make informed choices and choices best for them.
Our Philosophy
· Encouraging funeral preferences to be known in advance.
· Offering family-directed funeral service which fosters participation.
· Revitalizing discussion and healing among families.
· Honoring a life lived consistent with their lifestyle.
· Striving to offer options and to keep costs contained.
· Seeing our business as a ministerial extension of our personal values.
· Serving all faiths.
Goes Funeral Care started small as a way for us to contain our overhead. We utilized facilities, churches, parks, event centers, cemetery chapels within our community for services to reduce the cost of maintaining a large facility on site. We did not have a casket show room and we leased limos and hearses as needed. In 2001, we added an on-site crematory to ensure that every part of a person’s care would be provided personally by our staff. Since then, we have grown in size and in staffing, but we are still a small funeral home that can provide personalized, expert care to every family. All this said, we are proud to say we are the little funeral home in town. It makes sense to us and perhaps to you as well.
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Chris Goes Licensed Funeral Director/Owner
Hi. My name is Chris Goes and I am co-owner of Goes Funeral Care and a member of our team of death care providers and support staff who serve the Northern Colorado community. We are honored and proud to say that we have served this community for 25 years with our level of compassionate care. I feel blessed that I found a satisfying career where I have been able to help people and minister to their needs when faced with a death. I grew up in my family’s funeral home in southern New Jersey. Wanting to follow in my father’s footsteps, I pursued Mortuary School, National Board Certification and Licensure. I worked with my parents for ten years before making the decision to part company and embark on a new adventure here in Fort Collins. After a short stint with a local mortuary, we opened Goes Funeral Care in late 1996 creating a funeral care establishment rooted in service and not sales. I have been involved in all sorts of organizations within the community and committees within my church. I believe it is important to participate in community, church and family-oriented activities. Not just to give back from my own blessings, but to remain closer to and stay aware of what is going on to help our community. Please reach out to me if you have concerns that I might be able to help you with.
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Stephanie Goes Chief Financial Officer/Business Manager/Owner
Hello. I am Stephanie Goes and have owned Goes Funeral Care, with my husband Chris, since 1996. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I got a degree in Business Administration - marketing and economics and worked in sales, marketing and customer service for several large companies. Chris and I worked in funeral service at his parents’ funeral home in New Jersey for a while before venturing west with kids and cats in tow. At GFC, I am the chief financial officer/business manager and wear an assortment of other hats depending upon who is calling. I also have an insurance license with the State of Colorado to be able to pre-fund final expenses. In my free time, I am involved with my church and sing in the choir and in the shower and in the car. I listen to jazz and classical music. Organic gardening and working towards sustainable living in our home is something that is important to me. I enjoy cooking and eating what I have grown and spend time researching nutrition as a complimentary interest to my gardening - I do this as a cancer survivor. In my free time, my old horse Lady and I have walks and conversations. And we have a Sheltie, named Percy, who keeps us on our toes. I’ll round this out by saying we have three sons who have flown the nest. We created Goes Funeral Care because we felt there was a need in our community to offer funeral service in a different way - where a family could feel more in control, where they could be better educated to make informed decisions best for them, where they wouldn't be taken advantage of in their vulnerable state and where the cost is not so great and there is no pressure or guilt to buy. We want to be your funeral directors in that you can pick up the phone, give us a call and tell us what you are thinking regarding funeral service for your family and we make that happen. We think that is refreshing and helps makes a positive experience in a very difficult and challenging time. Please reach out to me if there is anything I can help you with or address concerns you might have.
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Ashley Schultz Administrative Coordinator/Certified Celebrant
Hello, my name is Ashley Schultz, and I am the administrative coordinator at Goes Funeral Care. Originally from northeastern Pennsylvania, I graduated with my Associate of Science Degree in Human Services in 2012 from Lackawanna College. I moved to Colorado in 2020, and I am currently a student at University of Northern Colorado completing my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with intentions of becoming a grief counselor after graduation.For hobbies, I enjoy spending time at home with my boyfriend and our dogs, reading, paddleboarding, concert-going, traveling, meeting new people, and visiting my family on the east coast when time permits.Goes Funeral Care provides a unique, loving, memorable experience from a team of the utmost hardworking, caring, and supportive individuals. We would be honored to care for your loved ones.
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John B. Farrell Funeral Assistant /Certified Crematory Operator
Hello. My name is John B. Farrell, IV, but just call me John. I am a funeral assistant and crematory operator for Goes Funeral Care. I had been the Facility Supervisor for Security at Poudre Valley Hospital before retiring and also completed a stint at Kodak years before that. But I was only retired for a short time before the opportunity to work in the funeral industry came up - something I always wanted to do. I came knocking at Goes and they warmly opened the door for me. Originally hailing from Oklahoma, I left my home state to serve my country in the US Air Force/Security Police during the Vietnam War. I married my lovely wife, Jean, in 2006 and we try to spend time with our blended families when we can. I enjoy traveling around our beautiful state of Colorado and spending time outdoors fishing and hunting. Working for Goes Funeral Care and serving people with compassion and respect through their dark times is a great personal achievement for me. It has made me a better person.
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Rod Pentico Funeral Assistant
Hi there. My name is Rod and I am a funeral assistant at Goes. I am also a professional Photographer – Pentico Photography and dabble in bus driving for the Poudre School District and chauffeuring party minded folks around town with NoCo Party Bus. I originally met the Goes family when they first opened their doors and was asked to help out at a funeral or two. That has, over the years, transitioned into greater responsibilities with my flexible schedule to help our families at very difficult times. I have lived in Fort Collins since 1993 with my wife Lorrie and having raised our kids here. In my free time, I cheer on anything from Nebraska and keep up with my son’s family – twin grandchildren and my daughter just starting college. I have a black belt in Taekwondo and teach martial arts when I can.
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Talia Berry Funeral Arranger/National Board Certified/Certified Crematory Operator
Hello, my name is Talia Berry, and I am a funeral arranger at Goes Funeral Care. I graduated from Arapahoe Community College with my Associate of Applied Science, Mortuary Science. I joined Goes Funeral Care as an intern in May 2023, and I truly feel blessed to have found them. I have since gone on to pass the National Board Exam as well as gain certification to become a crematory operator. My next educational goal is to get my Mortuary Science Practitioners Certification.Originally from Louisiana, I moved my family to Colorado in 2021, in search of better opportunities. Since landing here, I have been amazed by Colorado’s natural beauty, its culture, and its people. In my spare time I like to take my kids to enjoy all that Colorado has to offer. When I’m not out with my kids, I like to read and watch movies, but the real love of my heart is cooking. Back home, cooking was how we spent a lot of time together as a family, and I love passing these traditions on to my children.
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Samantha Hinzmann Cremation Coordinator/Certified Crematory Operator/Water Cremation Specialist
Hello, my name is Samantha Hinzmann, and I am the cremation coordinator at Goes Funeral Care. My goal is to ensure that families are confident they rely on us to always give their loved ones the utmost care and respect. My background working with water cremation has allowed me to join the Goes team with a focus on offering water cremation services and educating families who may want to learn more about earth-friendly options.Born and raised in Loveland, I am a student at the University of Northern Colorado studying Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Chemistry. When I’m not studying or working, you can find me enjoying the visual arts that Northern Colorado offers and spending quality time with my friends and family whenever I can.I am proud to support families in their time of need, providing love, compassion and stability when they need it most.
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Dane Scherling Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer/Crematory Operator
Hi, my name is Dane and I am a first-generation Funeral Director/Embalmer. I started my career in January 1984 in my hometown of Smith Center, Kansas where my wife Micki and I eventually co-owned two funeral homes and two furniture stores. In 1998, we sold our businesses and moved to Goodland in western Kansas. During our 16 yrs. in Goodland, we purchased three funeral homes in Colorado and two in Nebraska -all in small towns. We sold these businesses in 2012, and in October 2014 moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts to be closer to our older son, Ian and family and where I managed two funeral homes, one in Bourne and Sandwich (oldest town on the Cape, 1636). Micki worked as a Certified Life Celebrant for the funeral homes our company owned in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In the summer of 2016, I was offered a General Manager position in Lafayette, CO and the opportunity to work alongside my youngest son, Ren. After three years in Colorado, and the passing of my wife, Micki, in Dec. of 2018, I made the move back to Kansas to be closer to my mother while Ren moved to Tennessee to continue his funeral service education. In January 2023, Ren took the position of General Manager here at Goes. And thus, my move back to Colorado to be closer to Ren and family and again work with my son in funeral service. In my free time, I enjoy concerts, dinking around my new house, visiting friends and sharing time with my family especially my grandchildren. I also have a pilot’s license and enjoy flying, sporting events and golf. I look forward to serving the families of Ft. Collins and surrounding communities with Goes Funeral Care.
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Desi Black Mortuary Science Student & Intern
Hi, my name is Desi Black and I recently joined Goes Funeral Care as a student intern. I am currently attending Arapahoe Community College and completing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science. I was born and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and joined the Air Force shortly after graduating high school. While in the service, I was stationed in Germany, Montana, and Mississippi. After my enlistment, I moved to Alabama where I earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree at the University of South Alabama. I moved to Colorado in 2016 to complete a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at the University of Denver. My professional and educational experiences have offered me many unique opportunities and roles, but the through line has always been serving people and communities during major life changes or particularly difficult times. I am grateful to call Northern Colorado home for over 7 years now. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and chosen family, finding ways to support and care for my community, and spending time at home with my partner and our two kitty cats.
