Our Staff

Patrick Fahrenkrug

Owner/Funeral Director

Pat was born and raised in Neenah and graduated from Neenah High School in 1988.  For many years Pat and his family have been members of St. Gabriel Catholic Church.  He has been involved in funeral service in the Fox Valley since 1988 and has been a licensed funeral director since 1994. Pat is also a registered Life Insurance Agent in the state of Wisconsin and is available to assist people with pre-planning as well as pre-funding their funeral arrangements. In August of 2017, Pat, along with Derek Van Deurzen, assumed the ownership of Kessler Funeral Home. Pat has dedicated his life to serving those in need, and is extremely passionate about the funeral profession. He is honored to be serving families in his hometown of Neenah.  

Derek Van Deurzen

Owner/Funeral Director

Derek is a native of Little Chute and got his start in the funeral profession working for George Kessler in 2009.  He is a graduate of Kaukauna High School and Milwaukee Area Technical College where he majored in Mortuary Science.  Derek is a member of many area service clubs including the Knights of Columbus, JC’s and the Elks Club, and is also a volunteer fireman. In August of 2017, Derek, along with Pat Fahrenkrug, assumed the ownership of Kessler Funeral Home.  Derek is extremely dedicated to his profession and the families he serves. His caring and compassionate nature is evident while guiding them through the funeral process. 

Katie Krohn

Apprentice Funeral Director

Katie was born and raised in Oshkosh and graduated from Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Advanced College of Cosmetology, and the Fox Valley Technical College. She graduated from Des Moines Area Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science in 2018 and has been an apprentice funeral director since March 2017. Katie has a big heart and a great passion for serving families through the tough journey of the loss of a loved one. Katie and her family live in Neenah. They are members of Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Neenah and her children attend Trinity Lutheran School.

George Kessler

George has literally been raised in the funeral home business. He was born at Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah and his parents and 5 children lived on the second floor of the Kessler Funeral Home. George graduated from Neenah High School before receiving a BBA from St Edwards University in Austin TX. He then graduated from Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science in 1966. Upon his return to Neenah, he became associated with his father and mother and funeral service. George purchased the funeral home and business from his parents in 1972. George served with the Wisconsin Army National Guard from 1966 to 1972. Through the years George has been a member in the following service clubs and organizations: Neenah Menasha Jaycees; Neenah Kiwanis Club; 3rd and 4th degree Knights of Columbus; Neenah Menasha Elks Lodge #676; American Legion, Hawley-Dieckhoff Post #33, Neenah, Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association.