Some people are surprised when Stephanie Greeno introduces herself as the funeral director at Kuehl Funeral Home in Gillett.
Greeno, who took over as director in mid-November, is the first female funeral director in Gillett.
It is not unusual, however, for a woman to work as a funeral director, according to Greeno. She said half of the students in her mortuary science class were women, and at her first job, she worked with two female directors.
Greeno has been in the business since 2011.
Having grown up in Nekoosa, near Wisconsin Rapids, Greeno is familiar with a small town atmosphere. She said Gillett residents have been very kind and have welcomed her into the community.
Funeral service is a second career for Greeno; she wanted something different after working seven years as a pharmacy technician.
Greeno has always been interested in helping people, and funeral service was fascinating to her. After she took part in a tour of the mortuary science program at Milwaukee Area Technical College, she was convinced it was the field for her.
Mortuary science is a one-year program, with a prerequisite of 60 college credits. The schooling is followed by an internship and a one-year apprenticeship, or 2,000 hours in the field.
“Funeral service is covered with a shroud of secrecy, and until one works in the occupation, it is not realized how important the profession is to a grieving family,” Greeno said.
Her wish to help people is fulfilled when she helps families through tough times and helps make a difficult experience more manageable.
When she is not doing her work, she likes to live life to the fullest, she said. Spending time with friends and family requires traveling to Nekoosa, Madison and Milwaukee.
“I like being with people,” Greeno said.
Her interests include music, reading mysteries and being outdoors.
“Not winter, though. I hibernate,” she said.
Repurposing household items and furniture with new upholstery and paint is a hobby she enjoys, along with creating homemade cards and watching sports documentaries.
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