A fter Ed Cease's retirement in 1976, Michael Cudmore was hired by Wayne Cease to assist with daily operations of the funeral home, he has been an invaluble employee since. Michael had grown up exposed to funeral service in International Falls, MN were his father "Wally" ran the Cudmore Funeral Home. In 1984, with the purchase of the Bemidji Funeral Chapel in Bemidji, MN, Kevin Cease joined his father Wayne and started the third generation of the Cease families involvement in funeral service. Kevin's brother Kent joined the firm in 1986 with the building of the Cease Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN. Kelly joined the Bagley firm in 1992 and Kurt joined the Blackduck firm in 1995.