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Wind River Casket Co. (Also known as W.R.Caskets is a family owned business located in Elrosa, Minnesota.)
2007– 2009. As Wind River Custom Cabinetry (1991 - 2010), we began researching the possibility of making handcrafted wood caskets. With a failing economy and a slowdown in new home construction and remodeling we decided the time was right and began designing and building a high quality wood casket using time tested craftsmanship. As a result we introduced our Oak and Pine caskets, the “Concord” and “Madison” models. A family friend had mentioned our wood caskets to a funeral home and after contacting them we began supplying them with our caskets. The owners mentioned that they also provided their services to the Native American community and asked about offering a wood casket out of Aromatic Cedar. We designed what became our Eastern Red (Aromatic) Cedar “Eagle River” model. When the owners of that funeral home mentioned our wood caskets to another funeral home, they began carrying our caskets also. In 2009 we also introduced the “St. Croix” model, our Classic Series cedar casket.
In 2010 with the addition of a website, along with shipping capabilities we began filling orders as far away as New York. We began dedicating more time and effort to the casket making business and by year’s end had transitioned from custom cabinetry to full time casket making. We began offering different head panel theme fabrics and various lining options.
In 2011 we officially changed our name from Wind River Cabinetry to Wind River Casket Co. (W.R. Caskets) and continued developing new head panel designs.
In 2012 we introduced our “Colonial”, "Lexington" and "Grand Marais" Classic series caskets and our "Arrow Creek" and "Willow River" Native American Heritage series caskets. We also continued to implement new ideas that set us apart.
In 2013 we introduced our "Cascade" Poplar and Aspen caskets, our most economical handcrafted caskets. Also introduced was the "Tamarac" Classic series casket.
In 2014 we added fleece linings to our Native series casket line and continue to design new models to be added to our selection. Prior to this year we were making urns on a very limited scale but have now expanded to offer customers our Cremation Urns, available in a variety of wood species.
In 2015 our production output has increased steadily and with the addition of equipment we have been able to become more efficient. We also added a Quilted lining and a Camouflage lining to our selection. The newest addition to our casket selection is the "Deerfield" Oak casket.
In 2016 we expanded our selection to include not only our infant caskets but also added youth and child size caskets. We also added our "Bowhunter" and rustic "Homestead" caskets.
In 2017 we added our namesake model, the "Wind River" a weathered Rustic Oak casket using a process that gives the appearance of oak that has been exposed to the elements for years.
In 2018/2019, we began doing more personalized/customized theme caskets.
In 2020 we added a couple of Knotty Alder casket models. The "Bear Creek" Native Series casket and "Yellowstone" Classic series.
We also added an oversized Alder casket, The "Canyon Creek".
In 2020/2021, we expanded into working with a distributor in North Dakota plus we reached the 700 caskets made milestone.
In 2022 we reached the 800 caskets made milestone.
(s0me casket models have since been discontinued)
Our belief is that we, as human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and therefore, should treat each other with dignity and respect, including the remains of those who are being laid to rest. So, as we continue to serve, our main objective remains the same: "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) - Therefore, we are committed to using our God given abilities in providing families with the highest quality handcrafted caskets at a reasonable price, that we may bring glory to God in serving our neighbors.
Bob and Angie Walz
Wind River Casket Co.
The Wind River Casket Co. building interior as it appeared in 1946 as the Schneider Hotel.
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