Our Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life.
Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
Randy and Janet Krassow, Owners
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Randy and Janet Krassow, owners of Santa Cruz Memorial, are both actively involved and dedicated to serving the local community. Randy, a third generation native of Santa Cruz, learned the values of commitment and service from his grandmother, Ella, one of the first successful Santa Cruz businesswomen and civic leader who began her working career as a ‘Lady Attendant’ at a local funeral parlor in 1919. Starting his career at Santa Cruz Memorial in 1978, Randy has since devoted over 40 years of compassionate service to the community of Santa Cruz, building a reputation of hard work and excellence, dedicating himself to help those in their time of need. His deep roots in the community, attending local schools and college, and belonging to many local organizations have allowed Randy to provide Santa Cruz family’s with unsurpassed care and a commitment to continue Santa Cruz Memorials 150+ years of service.
Janet Krassow has served as the Director of Family Service at Santa Cruz Memorial for a decade after retiring as the Executive Director of the Santa Cruz Boys & Girls Club. After receiving her degree at San Diego State University Janet spent many years as a teacher in both elementary and middle schools. As Director of Family Services at Santa Cruz Memorial Janet’s primary responsibilities are to make certain that each family is served with care and dignity, that they have the services that best reflect their traditions and heritage and that all families receive support and assistance long after the services are over. Janet has developed an After Care program that includes grief counseling, a detailed resource manual, annual community memorial service, and more. Together Randy and Janet have five children, two grandsons Ryan and Ross, and granddaughters Lillie and Jackie. Many are involved in the business, truly making Santa Cruz Memorial a family tradition. Both Janet and Randy have served on the Boards of several local charitable organizations, including their own private foundation whose charitable giving is directed to youth in Santa Cruz County. Janet and Randy are proud to serve the community of Santa Cruz whether through community involvement, charity or in a family’s time of need, and are dedicated to providing the best quality of service, from their family to yours.
Chris Krassow, Grounds Supervisor
Chris Krassow is a 4th generation Santa Cruz native. Named for his Great-Great Grandfather who developed many apple orchards in Santa Cruz in the 1800’s with his civil war pension, Chris has been around the funeral and cemetery business his entire life. He began “officially” working for Santa Cruz Memorial in 2003 after spending many of his early years doing volunteer work at both cemeteries. Chris is the Buildings & Grounds Supervisor, responsible for over 75 acres of property in three cemeteries, roads and seven major buildings.
Chris is a hard worker with a great eye for detail which is evidenced by his commitment to maintain and improve the historic grounds of Santa Cruz Memorial cemetery property. “I enjoy developing new skills and techniques for maintaining and improving the cemetery property. Four generations of my family rest here, I’m committed to caring for them and the thousands of others whose families have chosen these cemeteries as the final resting place for their loved ones.” In his spare time, he enjoys spending time at the beaches and boardwalk with his wife Gina, and their two daughters Lillie and Jackie.
Email: chris@scmemorial.com
Doug Martine, Memorial Counselor and Advance Planning Counselor
Doug Martine was born in Santa Cruz and is a 3rd generation Santa Cruz funeral director. Through his work at White’s Mortuary with his father, Bill Martine and grandfather, Bill White, since the early 1960’s; “I found the satisfaction that comes with helping others in need” states Doug. Both Doug and his wife Martha have been very active in many local charity and service organizations. They have a son, Scott, daughter, Katie, granddaughter and grandson. Doug also enjoys swimming, bicycling and is a certified rescue scuba diver. The quality of service that Doug learned from his family legacy in the funeral industry continues to guide him today.
Email: doug@scmemorial.com
Gina Krassow, Office Manager & Advanced Planning Counselor
Gina Krassow joined the Santa Cruz Memorial family in 2006 and the Krassow family in 2009 with her marriage to Chris Krassow. Gina was born and raised in the Bay Area, moving to Monterey for college. Gina’s degree is in Social and Behavioral Science with a minor in Psychology. Her education has helped her in her work with families during their time of need and future planning. “I find it rewarding to help families find the best way to remember and memorialize their loved ones. Each family’s needs and traditions are different. My job is to help them create a service which best serves their family’s values and beliefs. I learn from each and every person and family I work with and I appreciate it so much." Gina loves spending time with her family at the beach, in the mountains or at home. She has two daughters, Lillie June and Jacqueline Liebau, who both have family names because family is so important to her.
Email: gina@scmemorial.com
Michelle Krassow, J.D. - Garden of Memories Cemetery Manager
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Michelle Krassow is a fourth generation Santa Cruzan who attended Live Oak area schools before graduating from Harbor High School in 1995. She went on to attend the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science while minoring in Philosophy. Michelle later received her Doctorate in Jurisprudence after attending the Monterey College of Law in Seaside. Michelle began working at Santa Cruz Memorial as a receptionist in 2005 and later as a funeral arranger before moving into the role of the licensed Cemetery Manager at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Salinas. In addition to her role as the Cemetery Manager she is the director of Human Resources for Santa Cruz Memorial and Garden of Memories. In her free time Michelle volunteers for the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds and the Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church.
Email: michelle@scmemorial.com
