Ertel Funeral Homes in Cortez, Colorado.

Our Staff

Keenan G. Ertel:
E-mail: keenan@ertelfuneralhome.com

Keenan, the 3rd generation of Ertels serving this area, is a licensed Mortuary Science Practitioner and has been associated with Ertel Funeral Home since 1978. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado with a B.A., received his mortuary science degree from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science which he graduated as Valedictorian of his class in 1980.

Keenan has been active within the Colorado Funeral Directors Association, serving a term on the Board of Directors. He has also been very committed to his community serving as a City Councilman, acting as a key figure to form and activate Hospice of Montezuma, and served on the Cortez Fire District Board for eight years. Keenan has been a board member of the Citizens State Bank of Cortez since 1988, and is active and supporting of his church.

Gordon Leavell

Gordon has worked in the funeral service profession for several years. He had always had an interest in becoming a funeral director and chose Ertel Funeral Home because of its outstanding reputation and the fact that they have been here for three generations.

A native to this area, Gordon feels this is an asset. "There are so many 'old timers' who I have known all of my life. Because of this longstanding relationship, I believe I can help them to feel more at ease when they do have to consult with us."

Gordon is married and has two sons. He enjoys this area tremendously, spending his free time skiing, biking, camping and just overall enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds us. He is fascinated with the history of the Anasazi that inhabited this region over 700 years ago and enjoys biking the Sand Canyon area and other areas that are decorated with the ancient Indian ruins.

Dedicated to serving the community, Gordon offers to be available for those who are experiencing a difficult time in their lives; the death of a loved one. He can also help with designing a monument to fit each individual's taste and/or economic need.

Richard "Jake" Huff:

Jake came to work for Ertel Funeral Home June, 2005 when he and his wife, Kinsey moved to Cortez to bring a fourth generation to the Ertel tradition. Since that time Jake has quickly adapted to small town life and the joys of serving his community.

Jake was raised in Springville, Utah, receiving his education there. He played baseball in school and with his brothers in league play. He came to Colorado during his college years. After moving to Cortez, Jake is sharing his love of baseball and his experience by volunteering with the Cortez High School baseball team.

With a dedication to the families that call on Ertel Funeral Home, Jake hopes that he may be able to ease some of the burden associated with the loss of a loved one.

Beverlee Ertel:
E-mail: beverlee@ertelfuneralhome.com

Beverlee has been associated with Ertel Funeral Home since 1982 when she began calligraphying the personal and service information in the memorial books used with the funeral service. She became actively involved in 1993 when Keenan and she purchased the funeral home from Keenan's father. Since then, Bev has taken responsibility for the secretarial and office duties.

Along with her husband, Keenan, Beverlee raised their two children in this community. She has been involved in many community based educational programs, hospice, and is also very active and supportive of her church.

Bev is deeply touched by the opportunity that is given to her while serving and assisting families as they seek a way to say good-bye to their loved one. Very few life events cause a family to invite the community to come into their lives in such and intimate way as a death does. We are privileged to be invited in to assist and care.

Kinsey Ertel Huff:

Kinsey, along with her husband, Jake moved back to Cortez to join the staff at Ertel Funeral Home. A graduate of Mesa State College, Kinsey began her career in the funeral industry at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary in Grand Junction, Colo. There she developed her skills in compassionate interaction with the families she served.

Coming to Cortez, Kinsey feels fortunate to be the fourth generation of Ertels associated with Ertel Funeral Home. A heritage handed from generation to generation, many of the attitudes of conducting a funeral service and attending to families have been passed down from the first Ertel.

Kinsey has found that aiding people in a time of need has proven to be very rewarding and fulfilling.