A familiar face is leading a new chapter at Creech’s Funeral Home as licensed funeral director and embalmer Riley Zajic takes over ownership of the long-standing business.
Read more: Three Lloydminster students claim new Archbishop awards
Zajic said the transition marks a major milestone in a career that began six years ago with the Creech family in Wainwright, Alta.
“I am so very excited and truly honoured to continue giving the community the services they have provided for over 30 years,” she said in a public statement announcing the change.
Zajic first joined the funeral industry at age 16 after looking for a summer job away from the family farm. She submitted resumes around Wainwright and was hired by Creech’s Funeral Home.
At the time, she did not expect funeral service to become her career. That changed after working closely with the Creech family and seeing the compassion and care they provided to families during difficult times.
“The compassion and care they bring to each and every family inspired me to apply to Mount Royal University to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer,” said Zajic.
After completing her education, Zajic moved to Edmonton to gain experience in the industry. She spent about two and a half years there before deciding she missed small-town life and wanted to return closer to family.
She returned to work alongside Harry and Alva Creech in Vermilion and Lloydminster in September 2025. Zajic said the ownership transition has been underway for several months.
Creech’s Funeral Home will continue offering a full range of services, including burial and cremation options, complete funeral planning and monument and headstone arrangements for cemetery displays.
Zajic said the funeral home will continue operating with the same values and commitment to care that families in Lloydminster have come to expect over the past three decades.
The funeral home also offers 24/7 at-need services with no hidden fees, overtime charges or holiday-hour costs.
Zajic thanked her family, friends and the Creech family for their support throughout the transition.
“All I can say is thank you to my family and friends for the support, to the Creech family for giving their trust, and to the Lloydminster community for this new chapter,” she said.
Read more: New Lloydminster Chase the Ace at $29.5K
