Personalities

Matt & Jessica Beaver

Matt grew up in Estherville and after graduating from Iowa State went to Orlando, Florida to work for Arnold Palmer at his Bay Hill Club. Jessica grew up in Colorado and became an animal trainer at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Jessica and Matt met at Give Kids the World where they both volunteered. In Orlando, Thomas and Olivia were born. After playing golf with Roger Jacobson at Bay Hill the previous year Matt called Roger to see if he knew anyone who was hiring as they wanted to come back to Estherville. Roger offered Matt a job at KILR and they decided to move back to Estherville where the third member of the Beaver family was born, Christian. Matt worked for KILR for 7 years and in 2022 Matt and Jessica bought KILR from Roger and Barb Jacobson and enjoy working with all the great businesses and the communities KILR serves. They are very grateful to Roger and Barb for selling them the KILR stations to keep them locally owned!

Nathan Puhl

Nathan grew up in the small town of Chatsworth, Iowa, six miles between the towns of Akron and Hawarden. During his high school years at West Sioux in Hawarden, Nathan wanted to be an English teacher. But Nathan's love for sports changed his mind to pursue a career in the radio industry. Nathan attended the University of South Dakota in 2010 and while at USD, he worked for the college student radio station, KAOR 91.1 Coyote Radio, for four years. Nathan worked in executive staff positions that included the Station Manager, Sports Director, and Productions Director of Coyote Radio. After graduating from USD in 2014, Nathan was hired by KILR Radio as an Account Executive/Sports Play By Play Announcer. Nathan's parents are Cliff and Irene Puhl and he has three siblings, Lisa, Tyler and Derek. Nathan is also an uncle to Grace, Kaylynn and Braxton. Nathan is a die-hard Packers fan and enjoys watching and broadcasting sports games.

On-Air Schedule

Monday 11:00am - 12:00pm 11 to Noon with Nathan Puhl
Tuesday 11:00am - 12:00pm 11 to Noon with Nathan Puhl
Wednesday 11:00am - 12:00pm 11 to Noon with Nathan Puhl
Thursday 11:00am - 12:00pm 11 to Noon with Nathan Puhl
Friday 11:00am - 12:00pm 11 to Noon with Nathan Puhl

Ed Funston

Ed Funston joined KILR as News Director in September 2002, bringing with him more than 20 years experience in radio broadcasting. He previously worked as news director at radio stations in Osage City, KS and his hometown of Emporia, KS.

After growing up in Emporia and Topeka, KS, Ed went on to attend Kansas State University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Radio-Television in 1985.

Ed and his wife Kristy, a teacher at Guardian Angel Pre-School, have two daughters, Brittney and Claire and two grandchildren, Zeke and Joscelyn.

On-Air Schedule

Monday 12:00pm - 01:00pm News Hour with Ed Funston
Monday 05:00pm - 06:00pm Prime Time Drive Time News Hour
Tuesday 12:00pm - 01:00pm News Hour with Ed Funston
Tuesday 05:00pm - 06:00pm Prime Time Drive Time News Hour
Wednesday 12:00pm - 01:00pm News Hour with Ed Funston
Wednesday 05:00pm - 06:00pm Prime Time Drive Time News Hour
Thursday 12:00pm - 01:00pm News Hour with Ed Funston
Thursday 05:00pm - 06:00pm Prime Time Drive Time News Hour
Friday 12:00pm - 01:00pm News Hour with Ed Funston
Friday 05:00pm - 06:00pm Prime Time Drive Time News Hour

Dave Van Roekel

Dave Van Roekel began his 2nd stint at KILR in September of 1997. Dave serves as the stations Sports Director and Morning Disc Jockey. Dave calls the action on approximately 100 athletic contests each year. Dave enjoys the competition and the life lessons athletics gives to student-athletes. Dave's wife Lynae is a part time employee at KILR and they have three children, three grandsons and two granddaughters. Their oldest daughter Natalie and her husband Andy live in Gruver with their two sons Keegan and Liam. Their son Tyler and his wife Jackie and their son Levi call Estherville home, while their youngest daughter Whitney, her husband Wade and their two daughters Emma and Hattie call Brandon, South Dakota home.

On-Air Schedule

Monday 06:00am - 11:00am Wakin' Up with DVR!
Tuesday 06:00am - 11:00am Wakin' Up with DVR!
Wednesday 06:00am - 11:00am Wakin' Up with DVR!
Thursday 06:00am - 11:00am Wakin' Up with DVR!
Friday 06:00am - 11:00am Wakin' Up with DVR!
Saturday 06:00am - 07:00am Wakin' Up with DVR!

Laurie Olson

Laurie started in radio right here at KILR while attending college to pursue a 2-year AS Degree in Broadcasting at Iowa Lakes Community College. Since then she has worked for radio stations in Spirit Lake and Spencer.. and has now landed back at KILR.. returning September 2013.

She works behind the scenes for KILR, printing the daily commercial logs for the AM and FM stations.. along with writing and producing commercials for on-air advertisers.

Born and raised in Estherville, Laurie enjoys spending time with husband Kory, and their two daughters, Hannah and Kylie. Along with her interests of running, scrapbooking, waterskiing, and reading.. as a family the Olsons enjoy going camping, snowmobiling, watching auto races, attending Timberwolves and Vikings games, and taking familiy vacations.

Lynae Van Roekel

Lynae Van Roekel began working at KILR in February of 2001. Lynae's primary duty at that time was handling the computer programming that helped KILR's satellite programming function properly. In September of 2016, Lynae added billing and account manager to her duties. Lynae's husband Dave is the Sports Director at KILR. They have three children and five grandchildren. Natalie and her husband Andy live in Gruver with their two sons Keegan and Liam. Their son Tyler and his wife Jackie and their son Levi call Estherville home, while their daughter Whitney and her husband Wade live in Brandon, South Dakota with their daughters Emma and Hattie. Lynae keeps busy tagging along with Dave to high school sporting events, following her grandchildren, and spending time with her family.

Apps

Sportscast

Sportscast - 03/28/24

ELC Superintendent Spotlight

Superintendent Tara Paul - accepts same position in Indianola

GT/RA Superintendent Spotlight

Supt. Marshall Lewis - AEA Statehouse Bills and School Budget

North Union Superintendent Spotlight

Supt. Travis Schueller - ALICE Training and Stop the Bleed Kits

Latest News Interviews

Dwight Kummer, Matt Beaver, & DVR, talk Arnold Palmer, Bay Hill, Augusta, & mentoring

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