Our Staff

Michael O’Halloran

Owner/Funeral Director

Michael is a licensed funeral director that joined the firm in July of 2006. Son of John and Cynthia O’Halloran, he is a St. Paul Academy lifer, graduate of the University of St. Thomas with a degree in business, and a graduate of the University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Program. Michael is co-owner and President of the O'Halloran family funeral homes, a St. Paul Rotarian and a member of the St. Paul Serra Club. Living in Woodbury, he is the 5th generation of O’Hallorans’ to continue the longtime family tradition of quality funeral service in Twin Cities surrounding areas. He enjoys traveling, playing hockey and drums, and spending time with his family; Wherever music plays dancing will occur. 

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John O’Halloran

Owner/Funeral Director

John  attended Holy Spirit Grade School, Cretin-Derham Hall High School and the University of Notre Dame .  He  served in the Army 828 Signal Corps  located at Ft Snelling and was stationed in Hinesville, GA at Camp Stewart.  He went to the University of MN for Mortuary Science and  obtained his MN  funeral director license in 1967.  He and his brother Patrick O’Halloran  took over  the funeral home from their  mother Dolores O’Halloran-Countryman in 1981.  When his brother Patrick retired,  John  took over the funeral home.  John  married Cynthia Melady in 1969.  He has three above average children: Emily,  who works for Accenture and lives in Dallas, John C., who is a St Paul Policeman and Michael who is a partner in the funeral home. John has 4 grandchildren.  He enjoys playing  tennis and golf and  biking and he occasionally reads.  He is a member of Roseville Rotary and  St Paul Serra Club a member of Lumen Christi Church.

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Barbara Walsh

Funeral Director

Barbara graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science. She is a licensed funeral director and has been with the O'Halloran & Murphy Funeral Home since April 2001. Barbara grew up in southern Minnesota near Blue Earth. She currently resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, David and children, Luke, Audrey and Maria.

Telephone: 1-651-631-2727

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Elizabeth Miller

Funeral Director

Elizabeth is a Minnesota licensed funeral director. She grew up in Watertown, South Dakota and attended Minnesota State University, Mankato. Elizabeth joined O’Halloran & Murphy in 2009 as a night attendant, and earned her degree in Mortuary Science from Des Moines Area Community College. 

Elizabeth currently lives in St. Paul with her husband Andrew and sons, Jack and Julian.

Telephone: 1-651-698-0796

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Linda Askegaard

Funeral Director

Linda earned a B.A. in Business Management from the University of Mary in Fargo, ND in 2006 and worked for many years in medical sales. In 2011, Linda returned to school and earned a B.S. in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota. Since that time, she has worked for funeral homes in the Twin Cities area assisting families through a difficult time. Linda grew up in the Fargo – Moorhead area but currently, lives in Lowertown with two demanding cats, Pugsley and Lurch. In her free time, she enjoys reading and exploring what the Twin Cities has to offer. Linda spends many afternoons walking, biking or scootering around the city. She loves to travel and tries to visit a new city or country every year.

Telephone: 1-651-698-0796

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Esteban Castaneda

Funeral Director

Esteban graduated from the University of Minnesota in May of 2017 and has been with O’Halloran & Murphy since November 18, 2019. Hailing from St. Paul’s West Side, Esteban has spent his entire life in the St. Paul area, and recently bought a house on the West Side. In his spare time, he enjoys painting, practicing Buddhism, and daydreaming about the Savannah cat he hopes to own one day. He has also grown a great mustache since the beginning of the pandemic and looks forward to showing it off in the future when it is safe to be in public without a mask. 

Telephone: 1-651-698-0796

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Steve Timm

Funeral Director

A St. Paul native, Steve grew up on the East Side. He earned his B.S. in Mortuary Science in 2015 from the University of Minnesota with the help of the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship, and now lives in Mahtomedi. His favorite part of funeral service is learning about fun family traditions.  In his free time he enjoys biking, camping, fishing, attending concerts, and exploring State and National Parks. 

Telephone: 1-651-631-2727

Email: 

Katie Clarkin

Funeral Director Intern

Katie received an A.A. degree from Century College before transferring to the University of Minnesota. There she earned a B.S. in Mortuary Science in May of 2020. Katie grew up in Hugo, Minnesota, and currently lives in the Twin Cities with her fiancé Isaiah. She enjoys spending time with her family, attending concerts, watching movies, and going on walks.

Tom Thedens

Funeral Director

Tom Thedens graduated from Blaine High School in 1979, he attended Anoka-Ramsey Community College earning an Associate of Arts Degree. Then transferring to Moorhead State where he earned a Business Administration Degree in 1983. In 1985 Tom completed his degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota.

He lives just outside of Elk River with his wife, Kathy and his 3 daughters, Amanda, Sarah and Emily. Tom is a member of Central Lutheran Church in Elk River and enjoys hunting, fishing and horseback riding.

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Kevin Leistico

Funeral Director

Kevin graduated from Elk River Area High School in 1992. He attended the University of Minnesota-Morris, before transferring to the Twin Cities Campus to complete his degree in Mortuary Science. 

He is a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Burns Township, where he completed his elementary education. 

Kevin currently resides in Ramsey with his wife, Jennifer, and their 2 daughters, Lillian and Eleanor. 

He is humbled to have the opportunity to serve families in the community where he was raised. 

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Telephone: 1-763-441-1212

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