With the retirement of longtime business owner and Plainview resident, Dale Powers at Plainview Monument Company – Kristina Todd of Plainview has a “heavy weight” to carry, but she’s excited about her new opportunity.
A family friend of Powers and Mike and Nancy Naprstek, and local import to Plainview via her own family – Mitch Todd of the “Brunswick Todds” – Kristina has always had an appreciation for design, though designing memorial stones is a new adventure.
She was originally intrigued by décor and interior design, helping families and households craft their perfect setting throughout high school, and now, under a few months tutelage with Powers, will be helping families and households creating lasting monuments for their loved ones.
“I love design, and I love people,” said Todd – “the craftsmanship and quality of the stones made by Dale are just beautiful, and I want to help lead people from a time of grief and sadness toward a great experience.”
“Dale has always been able to build a relationship with a family that lasts generations,” said Todd.
She joins the Nebraska Memorials group as the District Manager, taking over for Powers in the discovery and creation of a memorial for customers, and will have a direct hand in creating the artwork that families have chosen, just like Powers did.
“Kristina will have all the resources and access that Nebraska Memorials has built over the last number of years,” said Powers. She has also been training since August 1 with Powers, helping with family connections and designing memorials.
Todd will also be supported by the local staff of LaNette Goetzinger and Lisa Mosel, who have about 45 years of combined experience working with Powers.
“To watch [Dale] interact with customers, his complete approach, not just with care of the family, but his with knowledge of stones, crafting, cutting and design is a great resource,” said Todd.
With the growth of Plainview Monument and Nebraska Memori- als, the company typically finds itself delivering hundreds of stones a year, with two teams of setters working, at times, around the clock and in all weather conditions to get memorials set for families.
Todd will pick up the local legacy in full in early October, Powers’ “of- ficial" retirement date. She and her husband, Mitch, live in Plainview and have two children, Rory and Griffin.
Her husband works with Michael Foods at the local plant, and their children attend Plainview Schools.
A special open house event has been planned for Powers’ retirement, on Oct. 3 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with more details in coming weeks.
Todd, and Powers for the time being, can be reached at the Plainview Monument number, 402-582-3333, or via the Nebraska Memorials or Plainview Monument Company website at www.themonumentpeople.com.
