Meet Our Caring Team

dana@pedersonvolker.com

Dana grew up in Wittenberg, Wisconsin. In 1999, she moved to Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in mortuary science. Dana worked in Minneapolis for six years before moving back to Wisconsin with her husband, Luke. Together they have two sons, Riggins and Isaac, and reside in Lake Hallie.

In her spare time, Dana enjoys being outdoors, attending sporting events, jogging, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Dana is a member of the Eagle's Club in Lake Hallie and is a member of Christ Lutheran Church.

lucas@pedersonvolker.com

Luke grew up in Walhalla/Cavalier, ND. He attended Jamestown College and graduated with a degree in health and physical education. He was a member of their wrestling team qualifying for the national tournament four times. Luke volunteered much of his free time with youth athletics and sports management at the YMCA in Jamestown, ND. In 2003, Luke moved to Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in mortuary science. In 2009, Luke and his wife, Dana, moved to the Chippewa Valley. Together they have two sons, Riggins and Isaac, and reside in Lake Hallie.

Luke spends many nights and weekends coaching his two sons in their sporting activities, playing softball, and boating. Most importantly, he cherishes his time with his family and friends. Luke is a member of the Eagles Club in Lake Hallie. In 2020, he was elected President of the Chippewa-St. Croix District with the WFDA. He and his family are memebers of Christ LutheranChurch.

office@pedersonvolker.com

Bill was born and raised in Chippewa Falls and graduated from   Chi-Hi in 1962. He attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI for two years before transferring to Marquette University in Milwaukee. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette in 1968 and his Mortuary Science degree from Milwaukee Technical College in 1972. Bill served his apprenticeship at Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home in Milwaukee and continued working there for five years.

In 1973, Bill returned to his hometown to work with Arnie Pederson at Hogseth-Pederson Funeral Chapel. He purchased the funeral home from Mr. Pederson in 1978.

Bill has been actively involved in many community organizations and boards in Chippewa Falls: Lions Club, the YMCA, a founding member of the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, Friends of St. Joseph's Hospital, BID (Business Improvement District) Board, Elks Club, and the Masonic Lodge.

Rebecca is originally from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and has an Associate of Applied Science degree from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. When not at work, they love being outdoors and spent many years working with kids at a summer camp. Rebecca’s hobbies include drawing, writing, and playing music. They also enjoy volunteering and playing music for church. As a lifetime member of Girl Scouts, they received the Gold Award. Rebecca has one cat named Jiji.

Jim was born in 1943 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to Marie and Ralph Wischnewski, where he and his brother, Gary, grew up. Jim graduated from L. P. Goodrich Senior High School in Fond du Lac and received a B.S. Degree from UW-Oshkosh.

Jim and his wife, Lou Ann, moved to Chippewa Falls in 1977 and have been involved in many community activities since that time. Jim was Executive Director of the Chippewa YMCA from 1980 to 2005.

They have two daughters, Erica and Shauna (Bryan) and four grandchildren, Morgan, Ingrid, Griffin, and Elyse.

Jim became an Ambassador at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services in January, 2007.

Born and raised in Chippewa Falls. Graduated from Chi-Hi in 1971. He attended UW-LaCrosse and Northern Michigan University, graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Education.

Wayne Enlisted in the USAF in 1973. He trained as a Bombing & Navigation System Tech. Wayne was selected for Officer’s Training School in 1982 and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He completed training as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer for B-52 and B-1 Bombers. Wayne served at Strategic Air Command Bases in Michigan, California, Quam, and Texas. He retired from the USAF as a Captain in 1994.

Wayne then returned to Chippewa Falls in 1994 and managed the Logistics and customer relations efforts at XMI Neckwear from 1994 until 2010. He is a member of Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls where he served on the church council for 6 years and as a youth ministry guide for 15 years. He is also a member of the American Legion Post #77 and the Military Officers Association.

Wayne has two children, John (Jaemie) Steinmetz of Dallas, Texas and Jacque (Cutler) Gist of Midland, Texas. He has five grandchildren, John David and Stiles Steinmetz, Thatcher Mercer and Mabel Gist.

Lynn was born and raised in Chippewa Falls. She graduated from Chi Hi and then earned a bachelors degree in education from the University of Wisconsin River Falls. Later she earned her masters degree in education from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Lynn taught in the Stanley / Boyd School District for five years, and in the Chippewa Falls School District for 28 years before retiring.

Lynn and Steve have three adult children; Andrew (Katrina), Jacob and Zachary (Claire) Elbert. They have three grandchildren. Gabriella, Jeremiah and Adelynn.

In her spare time, Lynn loves to spend time with family and friends.  She loves to camp, fish, bake, read and walk.

Beth was born and raised in Jasper, Minnesota, as the fifth of seven children. She earned her B.S. degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Minnesota in 1984. 

Beth and her husband, Tom, moved from Minnesota to Colorado to Oregon, ending up in Chippewa Falls in 1991. They loved raising their five kids here: Benjamin (Camille), Alison, Jasper (Hillary), David, and Simon. They are active members of CVBC (Chippewa Valley Bible Church). At CVBC, she is involved with the Wednesday evening children's programs, Tuesday Morning Moms, and as funeral luncheon coordinator. 

Beth has served her community as a Park Board member since 2008, as Park Board President and City Plan Commissioner since 2013, and as an election judge. After the kids left home, she started a small business, Arnestar, to create slide show videos for funerals. When not traveling the world with Tom to visit their grown kids (and grandchildren!), Beth stays active walking, biking, cross-country skiing, and cooking healthy meals.

William “Bill” Gray was born and raised in the  Chippewa Valley. 

He has been married to his wife, Sara, for 27 years and is the proud father of one son and two daughters. 

Bill is proud to have served in the US Army. Since returning from Iraq in 2005, he continued to work conducting military investigations until his honorable discharge from the Army in 2008, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Gray has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, Armed Forces Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, three Overseas deployment medals, the Humanitarian Service award for assisting Puerto Rican civilians and military after hurricane Hugo in 1989, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. 

Mike was born and raised on the south side of Chippewa Falls. He attended Holy Ghost Elementary School and McDonell Central High School. Mike graduated from Chippewa Valley Technical College with a degree in police science. He worked in law enforcement from 1989 to 2009. Mike served as Deputy Sheriff for Chippewa County and other law enforcement agencies. He retired in 2020 and is now running his own snow plowing and vehicle cleaning business.

Mike has been married to Jill since 1999. Together they have three boys, Jackson, Jonah, and Cooper. The princess of the family is their dog, Molly, a Britany Spaniel. Mike and his family are members of Central Lutheran Church, where he is active in many youth activities as well as many sporting activities their boys participate in.

Donald was a resident of the Town of Eagle Point, Chippewa Falls area since he was born. For 25 years, he worked on the maintenance crew for Extrusion Dies in Chippewa Falls.

Don's wife, Sherry Ann (Riedel), passed away in 2005. Shortly after he became part of the Pederson-Volker family, where he worked for 16 years until he passed away on January 27, 2022.

His smile, kindness, and stories will be missed by the staff and friends of Pederson-Volker.