Our Staff

Derek Van Deurzen

Owner/Funeral Director

Derek is a lifelong resident of Little Chute. He is a graduate of Kaukauna High School and Milwaukee Area Techical College where he majored in Mortuary Science. He has been employed by Verkuilen Funeral Home since 2009. On November 10, 2014, Derek purchased the funeral home from George and Ann Kessler. He is a member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Little Chute JC’s, the Kaukauna Elk's Club, and the Little Chute Volunteer Fire Department. In his free time Derek enjoys being active in the community, playing volleyball, softball, tennis, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.

Patrick L. Fahrenkrug

Funeral Director

Pat has been in the funeral profession since 1988 and has been with Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home since 2014.  In addition to being a licensed funeral director, he is also a registered Life Insurance Agent in the state of Wisconsin and assists with the pre-planning and pre-funding of funeral services. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his dog Marley, family and friends. 

Lynn VanDenBosch

Office Manager

Lynn started working at Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home in 2016.  Lynn is married to Todd and together they raised their two children.  Zach (Leah) and Kyle (Leah).  She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.  She is a proud Grandmother of her grandson Grayson.

Cheryl Golden

Office assistant/facilities support

Cheryl started working at Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home in March of 2015 as an office assistant. Cheryl is married to John Golden and together they raised their two children, Kristina (Brandon) and Matt (Casey), in Little Chute. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.  She is a proud Grandmother of  Bronson, Asher, Kade, Mara and Elina.

Linda Hidde

Office assistant/facilities support

Linda is in charge of keeping the interiors of the funeral home facilities in tip top shape at all times. She also assists with office duties.  Linda is a lifelong resident of Appleton, and joined the staff in August of 2018. She is a proud mother and grandmother! Spending time with family is the most important thing for Linda.  She also enjoys her kitties,baking, and reading.  

Wayne “Boots” Marquardt

Funeral Assistant

Wayne "Boots" Marquardt grew up in Little Chute and graduated from St. John High School. He then enlisted in the Air Force, serving during the Vietnam War. After discharge, Boots worked in the electrical wholesaling field as outside sales for 30 years, retiring in 2001. He as been married to Linda for 42 years. They have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Boots is a member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258, Little Chute Kiwanis Club and the Knights of Columbus. Boots enjoys volunteering his time helping these service clubs and spending time up north.

Dennis Vosters

Licensed Life Insurance Agent

Dennis is a resident of Freedom and has worked in the insurance industry for 30 plus years. He has been married to his wife Vicki for 48 years and has 4 children and 9 grandchildren. He has been a member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church since birth. His hobbies include playing cards, golfing, downhill skiing and chasing grandkids. Dennis assists at the funeral home in the pre-funding of funeral insurance plans.

Beth Janssen and Lori (Verhagen) Evers

Hairdressers

Beth  and Lori are both life-long Little Chute residents. Both have been licensed beauticians for many years, and both own their own businesses. They do wonderful work and do a great job of helping our families have the best last viewing of their loved ones possible.

Karli Barley

Funeral Director

Karli joined the staff in March of 2022. She is a graduate of Marquette University as well as Worsham College of Mortuary Science. In her free time, Karli enjoys spending time with family and friends, along with her husband, Erik, and their two huskies. 

Larry Slonaker

Funeral Director

Hilarie Van Dehy

Apprentice Funeral Director

Hilarie started working at Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home in May of 2021 as an Licensed Apprentice Funeral Director.  Originally from New York, Hilarie moved to Wisconsin in 2007.  Hilarie is currently enrolled at Des Moines Iowa Area Community College in the Mortuary Science/Funeral Services program.  Hilarie enjoys spending time with her husband, Shaun, and their two daughters, Meredith and Ruby.

Darrel B. Schmidt

Funeral Director

Darrel joined the staff in March of 2023.  He was been serving families in the Fox Valley since 2001.  He is a member of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, and the Fox River Valley Funeral Directors Association.  Away from work, Darrel enjoys time spent with his wife and daughter, camping, hunting, fishing, and warm vacations when it's cold in Wisconsin.