Meet Our Caring Team

Hi friends!

Here’s a little bit about me…

I was born in Minneapolis, raised in Eagan, Minnesota, and graduated from EHS in 1992.

In 1999, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota. Following graduation, I relocated to Chippewa Falls to complete my apprenticeship at Pederson-Volker Funeral Home under the guidance of Bill Volker and ended up staying!  In 2011, I became a partner in the business, and in 2021, I moved to Medford and acquired Hemer Funeral Service.

Now, I am once again back in Chippewa Falls and am proudly 100% owner of Pederson-Volker.  My son Mac is now in the business, and I am so excited to begin this next chapter with him & the outstanding, community-oriented staff at PV!!  This is more than just a business to us, this is home. 

A few fun facts –

*I spent a school year in Norway from 1995-96 where I met many lifelong friends who, thanks to Facebook, I remain in contact with today!!

*My nickname is “Doozer.”  I didn’t know my real name until I started kindergarten! (not kidding!)

*I’m married to Kirt since 2000 and we have two handsome adult boys, Parker and Mac.  I love to travel, camp, walk in the woods with my dogs, Cora (Mastiff) and Rupert (Bernese Mountain Dog), and be with my family (EVEN extended family).

*Family on staff: Lynn is my sister-in-law, Steve is my brother, and Mac is my son.

Hey there! I grew up in Wittenberg, WI.  You know, that small town along Hwy 29 between Wausau and Green Bay where Nueske’s bacon comes from!  I graduated from Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School in 1998 and moved to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota. After graduating from the U of M Mortuary Science Program in 2002, I started my internship with Gill Brothers Funeral Home in South Minneapolis/Bloomington. My summers of driving the beer cart at the golf course were over! My internship turned into my first big kid job and I stayed at Gill Brothers for the next 6 years, just long enough to be fully vested in my retirement earnings and find my husband, Luke. We were married in Maui in 2008, and a year later moved to the Chippewa Valley area.

In 2015, we both began working at Pederson-Volker and moved to Lake Hallie.  We loved it so much, we have been here ever since! Our two sons, Riggins and Isaac keep us busy with their school and sports activities, we attend Central Lutheran Church, and I am involved with the CFPD Alumni Association. 

A few things about me:

According to my husband, I am the boss at home and at work.  

According to my kids, I stay up late watching bad cop shows and eating pizza.

According to the Myers-Briggs Personality Test, I am an ISTJ.

According to me, I may not be Wonder Woman, but I might do (or say) things that will make you wonder!

As my father would say, “Good Day”

Growing up in the Walhalla/Cavalier, ND area, I found that you must have character or be a character. I may have found both. I graduated from Jamestown College with a degree in health & physical education. Being a member of their wrestling team taught me that life will be “easy” after four years of college wrestling. In 2003, I moved to Minneapolis and had an interview at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, which is where I met my future wife, Dana. While she was guiding a casket down a ramp, I said to myself, “I will marry that girl someday.” Well, on Aug. 2, 2008, Dana and I were married on Kaanapali Beach in Maui. After graduating from the U of MN with a Mortuary Science degree in 2005, we both worked at Gill Brothers until our move to the Chippewa Valley in 2009. Fast-forward to now, we have two sons, Riggins and Isaac, and reside in Lake Hallie.

With the competitive days behind me, I spend many nights and weekends attending our sons’ sporting activities…I didn’t know being a fan would be more stressful than competing!!! We attend Central Lutheran Church, where our Faith and Hope grow each day. 

Fun fact, I always have a “mini blanket” with me. 

And to quote Don Miguel Ruiz, “I will always be impeccable with my word”

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.

Hi, my name is Mac!

I grew up here in Chippewa Falls and graduated from Chi-Hi in 2022. After that I attended CVTC before moving to Minneapolis to work at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapels. While there, I continued taking classes working towards my degree in Mortuary Science. 

In 2026, I returned to Chippewa Falls to help my mom at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel. I will soon be attending online classes to obtain my degree.

In my spare time, I love golfing, spending time on the lake, going to concerts (I love all music), traveling, being with my family, and hanging with friends. 

I am looking forward to being a part of the awesome staff at PV and serving the community I love and grew up in!

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 attended the University of Minnesota earning a BS degree along with her MRS degree. 

Beth and her husband Tom moved from Minnesota to Colorado to Oregon, ending up in Chippewa Falls in 1991. They raised their five kids here: Benjamin, Alison, Jasper (Hillary), David (Cadi), and Simon (Noelle). They are active members of Chippewa Valley Bible Church, where she is involved with Tuesday Morning Moms, mentoring, and small group Bible studies.

Beth is a city volunteer, serving on the Park Board and Plan Commission and as an election judge. She likes to walk, bike, read, and travel to visit children and grandchildren. She also likes to vacuum, which comes in handy when she’s at the funeral home or visiting her grandchildren.

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.

Karla was raised in Bloomer and attended Bloomer Public Schools. After graduating high school, she attended CVTC, earning a degree as a medical secretary. She worked at Sacred Heart Hospital and numerous side jobs, retiring from Mayo Clinic Health Systems in 2025 after 30-plus years.

In 1997, Karla moved to Chippewa Falls and married Scott Nelson. They have two adult sons, Ben and Cooper. They also have a chocolate lab, Ella, who runs the house. Karla attends Our Hope Lutheran Church and enjoys boating, reading, walking, volunteering, traveling during the winter, and attending Bible classes.

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.