Our Staff

Chad C. Osthus

Funeral Director/Owner

Chad was born in Watertown, SD, to Brent and Dianne (Redlin) Osthus. He grew up in DeSmet, SD, and graduated from Dell Rapids High School. He attended Dakota State University, Madison, SD, and graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College in Kansas City, KS, with a degree in Mortuary Science in 1996. Chad started working for Mike and Jackie Skroch at the Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau, SD. In August of 1997, he married Kristi Knight, daughter of Rod and Doris Knight, of Watertown. In 2000, Chad and Kristi moved to Watertown and he became affiliated with the Crawford Funeral Chapel where he has worked since. Chad and Kristi purchased the funeral home from Bill and Susan Crawford in 2015. Kristi works as the Director of Health Information at Prairie Lakes Hospital and they have two daughters, Morgan and Macee. They belong to Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer. Chad belongs to the Watertown Optimist Club and is a founding member of “Building Stronger Hearts”. Together, with his family, he enjoys anything outside from camping, fishing and boating to attending their children’s events. Chad enjoys a ride on his motorcycle in his spare time.

William J. "Bill" Crawford

Funeral Director

Bill was born and lived in Watertown, SD, until 1963, when his family moved to Redfield, SD. He graduated from Redfield High School in 1971. Bill attended Dakota State College in Madison, SD, and graduated in 1974 from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, IL. He worked as a funeral director in Huron, SD, and Mitchell, SD, before moving back to Watertown where he started Crawford Funeral Chapel in 1986. Bill and his wife, Susan, have three children and four grandchildren. They are very active members of Holy Name Catholic Church and the Sioux Falls Catholic Diocese Foundation. Bill is also a member of Rotary, Masons and the Knights of Columbus.

Austin Sheehan

Funeral Director

Austin was born in Danville, IN, to Tim and Lisa Sheehan. He graduated from Marshall Senior High School, Marshall, MN, in 2009. After graduation, he attended MN West Community and Technical College in Canby, MN, where he obtained his degree in Wind Energy Technology and then moved to Watertown, SD, in 2012. Austin obtained his Associates of Mortuary Science from Des Moines Area Community College and graduated March, 2020. Austin started working for Kaye Cahill at the Cahill Funeral Chapel in Sisseton, SD, in June of 2018, where he completed his apprenticeship. He has worked full-time with Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel since January of 2020. 

Austin and his wife Ashley have one child, Meredith.  When Austin isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with family, camping, and fishing. Austin currently serves as the Deputy Coroner for Codington County and Roberts County.   

Andi Schmidtgall

Funeral Director

Andi was born in Watertown, SD, to Ed and Marlys Sasse. She graduated from Watertown High School in 2006. After graduation, she attended Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown and obtained her Cosmetology and Dental Assisting Degrees. While in college, Andi worked at Menards, serving people in different capacities for 10 years.  In 2017, Andi obtained her Associates of Mortuary Science from Des Moines Area Community College and became a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer in April of 2018. She has worked full-time with Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel since March of 2017. 

Andi and her husband, Justin, reside in Watertown, SD.  She is a member of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer. She is active in the summer and enjoys being outside, playing softball, kayaking and watching dirt track racing. 

Stephanie Dobbs

Funeral Director

Stephanie was born in Sisseton, SD to Doug and Gloria Langager. She graduated from Sisseton High School in 1996 and joined the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman until honorably discharged in 2001. Stephanie began school for Funeral Directing and completed her internship at Miller Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD when she decided to return back to the medical field and acquired a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Presentation College in Aberdeen, SD. Stephanie has worked since 2006 as a Registered Nurse in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. In 2019, Stephanie returned back to school to finish what she started in 2001 and obtained her Funeral Director license from Des Moines Area Community College and is licensed in both South Dakota and Minnesota. 

Stephanie and her husband Greg have three children; Gage, Hannah and Olivia. When not at work, Stephanie volunteers on the Castlewood Ambulance and is a board member for both the Castlewood Fire and Ambulance. Stephanie enjoys being outdoors and can be found in the summer months camping, fishing, and playing in her flower bed. 

Rod Iverson

Funeral Assistant

Rod was born in Watertown, SD, to Alvin and Dorothy Iverson. He graduated from Watertown High School and attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology and Biology. Rod has served as funeral director assistant at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel since 2010. He began working here after retiring from sales and supervisory positions with Sara Lee Baking Company for 36 years. Rod and his wife, Nancy, are parents of Mark and his wife, Alissa, and proud grandparents of Kaylee, Mason, Kyler and Emersyn. When not at work, Rod enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing and riding his Harley.

Valerie R. Engels

Val was born in Madison, MN and attended Madison High School where she graduated in 1989.  After graduation she attended Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, SD where she received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in 1991.  Val started her career working at F&M Bank for 5 years, Lake Area Technical College for 5 years, Verifications Inc. for 10 years and most recently at Reliabank for 13 years.  Val joined the staff at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in October 2022.

Val married Brian Engels of Watertown, SD in September 1995.  Val is an active member and serves on the Board for the Watertown Optimist Club and Habitat of Humanity Greater Watertown Region where she serves as Treasurer.  When not working, Val enjoys doing anything outdoors in the summer months, shopping, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Gail M. Binde

Administrative Assistant

Gail was born in Clear Lake, SD, to Richard and Dolores Lindner. After graduating from Clear Lake High School, she moved to Watertown and started working at Cave Supply Company, where she worked for 33 years. Gail then worked at the John Deere Company for 10 years. Gail joined the staff at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in January 2016 as a Secretary/Receptionist. Her office responsibilities include: greeting the public, typing obituaries, designing memorial folders and processing legal documents. Gail has one son, Scott, and his wife, Kayla, and one daughter, Angie, and her husband, Shawn. She also has four grandchildren: Anna, Rasten, Evie and Brecken. Gail enjoys spending time with her family and attending her grandchildren’s activities. She also enjoys dancing in her spare time.