St. Cloud, MN – Sunburst Memorials marked a historic milestone yesterday as the final stone was cut at its longtime facility, which has served as the heart of operations since 1917. For more than a century, generations of artisans and craftspeople have shaped memorials at this location – each stone carrying a story, a legacy, and a commitment to honoring lives across decades.
A New Home for Heritage Craftsmanship
The company is now transitioning operations to their new location at 401 Electron Drive in the St. Cloud Airport Business Park. The new facility features significantly expanded office and production space – including an increase from about 3,800 sq ft to roughly 10,500 sq ft of office area – and a doubling of production capacity, with manufacturing space growing from approximately 15,000 sq ft to 30,000 sq ft.
With the expansion, Sunburst Memorials expects production capacity to double, enabling output of up to 15,000 memorials per year (compared to about 7,500 per year currently). The increased space, updated equipment, and improved workflow – including higher ceilings suitable for cranes, new polishers, new paint booths, and improved material handling – will help streamline the crafting process.
The new facility also includes improved warehouse capacity, eliminating the need to store granite outdoors (which previously caused delays in cold weather due to snow and freezing) – a major efficiency and workflow upgrade.
In addition, the facility will incorporate environmental and operational improvements, such as a water-reclamation system to recycle water used in finishing processes.
Beyond production, the move reflects a commitment to company culture and a better working environment: the new building plan includes employee-focused amenities like a break room, outdoor patio, and a training room – areas meant to foster community, learning, and comfort among employee-owners.
Voices From the Team
Dylan Gertken, Director of Operations, reflected on the significance of the final cut:
“It’s crazy to think that we are a monument of monuments. We’ve made monuments for people who were alive in the 1800s to now.”
His words carry the weight of the legacy built inside the historic facility – one that spans generations and continues to grow.
Jill Kampa, President of Sunburst Memorials, added perspective on the magnitude of that legacy:
“We estimate that over the last 108 years, this facility has put out hundreds of thousands of stones memorializing loved ones throughout the Midwest.”
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
While the move marks the end of a remarkable era, Sunburst Memorials remains committed to the craftsmanship, integrity, and values that have defined its work for more than a century. The new facility represents both continuity and progress – a foundation for future generations of artisans who will carry the legacy forward.