Business of the Month

Lauer Funeral Home- Nate Hoeksema and Family

Lauer Funeral Home has served the families of Deer Park in their time of need since 1938. After the unexpected passing of the funeral home’s owner and lifelong Deer Park resident, Ralph Lauer, the business was sold to Nate Hoeksema in 2018. “I had known Ralph for years and even had the honor of assisting him with some funeral services in Deer Park,” Nate says. “It seemed like such a kind, vibrant community. So when the Lauer family made the tough decision to sell the funeral home, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Nate grew up around the funeral business, spending summers with his uncles and grandparents, who have owned funeral homes in the Spokane area for more than 30 years. Upon completing an undergraduate degree in philosophy in 2008, Nate was encouraged to join the family business and enrolled in the Funeral Service program at Mt. Hood Community College in Portland, OR. After earning his associates degree in 2010, Nate and his wife Chrissy settled in Spokane, and he went to work for his family at Spokane Cremation & Funeral Service. Since then, Nate has grown into the profession and gained valuable experience serving families in the greater Spokane area. Ready for a new challenge, he jumped at the chance when Lauer Funeral Home came up for sale last year.

Having witnessed the dedication and passion with which Mr. Lauer served Deer Park, Nate knows he has big shoes to fill. In any community it is important to have funeral professionals who can be trusted to care for grieving families with compassion and integrity. Guiding his clients through some of their most difficult times with sensitivity and respect is a duty that Nate takes very seriously and one he has come to find overwhelmingly fulfilling. He is excited for the opportunity to contribute to the community and is exceedingly grateful for the support and encouragement he has received since coming to Deer Park.

Outside of his professional life, Nate enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his wife Chrissy and daughter Sophie. He is also an active member in his church, Grace Christian Fellowship North, and is currently serving as a board member for the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce, where he chairs the fundraising and events committee.

While the leadership of Lauer Funeral Home may have changed, its mission remains the same: to serve the living with grace and respect, to serve the dying with dignity and honor and to serve the community with trust and confidence.