Staff Biographies

Doug and his twin sister were the oldest of four children born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Doug’s first opportunity to work in a funeral home was while attending Clarion State College, in Pennsylvania, He began working part-time for a firm and continued with this position until 1959, when his family moved back to Michigan. He continued his education at Flint Junior College, after his return and worked in another local funeral home in Flint.

In 1963 Doug earned his degree from the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science, and started working as a staff director at a few firms around Michigan. He realized he would like to own his own firm and in 1979 his dream came true when he purchased the Fontana Funeral Home in Ann Arbor and began living there with his wife and family. By that time, he and Sandi had five of their seven children still living at home, all of whom worked to maintain the family business.

Always community minded, Doug began to be active in the Ann Arbor Community, joining (among other things) the Ann Arbor Western Kiwanis Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He has served for many years on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association and was chairman of the Association Health Insurance Committee for 14 years. All of these experiences allowed Doug to give back to both the community and the profession that he loves.

Doug enjoys working along side his son and grandsons daily as the tradition of serving the families of Washtenaw continues.

Dutch grew up as the only boy in a family of seven children. He and his sisters lived above their parents funeral home in Ann Arbor, where Dutch would work after school and during summer vacation. His chores included mowing the lawn, washing cars, assisting with the parking of funeral processions, and working at visitations.

After graduation from Huron High School in 1982, Dutch enlisted in the Air Force and served as a military policeman for eight years. His duties took him to Japan, Korea, California, and Illinois. Though Dutch was proud to serve his country, he still longed to find a career that really suited him. His time away from home had made him think about his parents. Dutch had seen his parents work hard at the career he loved, but he had also seen the long hours and missed holidays that came with it. Despite the negative aspects, Dutch realized the respect and dedication his parents had for the profession was something he too possessed. Dutch moved his family (including his wife, Donna, and their young sons) back to Ann Arbor. Here, Dutch began working with his parents in 1990 and in 1992 earned his bachelor's degree from Wayne State University.

Dutch found that the funeral profession was not just something he liked, it was something he loved. He  purchased the funeral home from his parents in 2000 and have continued the tradition of working together taking his parent’s business even farther. In 2008, he added an additional Chapel (Liberty Road Chapel) to better care for and serve the families of Washtenaw County who call upon us to care for their loved ones in their time of need. We believe that every life lived has a story and that story should be told.

Being a part of the community is something Dutch takes very seriously. Even outside of work, he is an active member of the VFW and the American Legion, and member of the Great Lakes National Cemetery Advisory Council. He has also served as the president of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North and the Rotary Club of Milan. He is also very involved in serving his profession and is a Past President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, a committee member of the American Board of Funeral Service Examiners and is the Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the National Funeral Directors Association. 

As important as activities like these are to Dutch, there is one thing he holds above all others: family. His own family includes his wife, Donna, and their four children: Jacob (Michelle), Jesse (Kelsea), Natalie, and Jordan; as well as two granddaughters, Winifred and Elizabeth. “Our time spent together is the best,” Dutch says. 

Dutch is a Nationally Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), Certified Cremation Operator (CCO), and a Michigan Certified Funeral Practitioner (CMFP).

Jacob was born in California while his father was serving in the US Air Force before moving back to Michigan for the rest of his childhood in 1990. 

In high school, like his father, Jacob worked part time at the funeral home, mowing the lawn, washing cars, and working visitation.

Upon graduating Milan High School in 2005, he and his girlfriend, now wife, Michelle, moved out to Boulder, Colorado so Jacob and his brother, Jesse, could work in the cycling industry. After eight wonderful years and many bicycles repaired, Jacob and Michelle moved back to Milan and bought the house next door to his childhood home where they now raise their daughter, Winifred. 

Jacob is dedicated to ensuring the highest level of professionalism and support for grieving families.

Kiki found herself in the funeral business by chance, taking a position as evening visitation staff at a local funeral home in Dearborn, Michigan. Studying for a career in nursing at the time, she grew to love funeral services in her part-time role, and decided to make a change. She enrolled in Wayne State University's Mortuary Science Program where she earned a bachelors degree and became a licensed funeral director. 

Kiki joined the Nie Family Funeral Home in 2017. Currently, Kiki serves as the District Director for Michigan Funeral Directors Association for District 2. She has recently earned a state certification as a Certified Funeral Practitioner (CMFP) as well as a national certification as a Certified Crematory Operator (CCO).

Monica grew up in Macomb, Michigan where she graduated from Eisenhower High School. She continued her education at Macomb Community College obtaining her Associate’s Degree while being active with the national honor society Phi Theta Kappa. Monica then earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science from Wayne State University while serving as Class President. 

She is the first in her family to go into the funeral profession but finds that it truly is her calling to work with families during the grieving times. Monica has a genuine passion to help those honor their loved ones and is very grateful to be part of the Nie Family Funeral Home team. 

Kathy has been with Nie Family Funeral Home since 2010. She served as a grief facilitator with Keystone Church of Saline and feels honored to serve families struggling

with loss.

Originally from Tonawanda, New York, in the Buffalo area, Kathy’s family moved to Detroit, Michigan where she graduated from St. Ladislaus High School, and U of M Dearborn. Before joining the Nie team, Kathy has worked in various roles as a local substitute teacher, Curves trainer, and an adoption document specialist.

Kathy lives in Whitmore Lake, which happily allows her to be near her adult children and her adorable granddaughter.

Meeting the Nie Family was one of the most incredible experiences in Michelle’s life. It was not under the usual circumstance of a lost loved one but actually the opposite; she found her soulmate. In 2006, Michelle was 21 when she was introduced to her now husband Jacob and his family and was immediately taken aback by their closeness, compassion, and welcoming heart that he and his entire family offered to her. 

Michelle and Jacob decided in 2008 to go on an adventure and without much planning packed their Jeep Wrangler and headed across country to go live in Colorado. Although they both knew their families wanted to have them nearby, they were thankful for their support and excitement towards the path they chose. 

Eight wonderful years in Colorado which included a wedding, the adoption of two cats and one dog, as well as buying their first home seemingly couldn’t compete with their want to be closer to their family. In 2016, Michelle and Jake packed their bags and pets and headed back to the mitten with fond memories and full hearts.

Shortly after moving home Michelle started working for the family business and quickly found how much she enjoyed having a job that helps the community she lives in. She could also see the same compassion and welcoming heart that she was offered by the Nie family is offered to each family coming through their door and she too is happy to reciprocate the gesture. Michelle is grateful for the opportunity to not only be a part of this family but serve with a true family business.