Sheila and Bill Volker are founding members of the Community Foundation of Chippewa County. Bill fondly recalls the time he gathered along with other business leaders and philanthropists to learn about how a community foundation could support Chippewa County into perpetuity. From those conversations and a deep regard for the place they call home, the Volkers established the Sheila and Bill Volker Unrestricted Endowment Fund in 2013.

This is a fund designed to meet the ever-present and changing needs of Chippewa County and supports non-profit organizations who serve people throughout our area.

"Bill was committed to the plan for a community foundation from the get-go," said Sheila. "He loves Chippewa Falls."

Sheila came to love Chippewa Falls as well. The Volkers met at Marquette University in Milwaukee, where both were attending college. As life often goes, Bill's plan to become a dentist turned into mortuary science all because a childhood friend found him an apartment above a funeral home. According to Bill, it was far better than living in a dorm. In place of rent, he was asked to occasionally answer the phone or run some errands. The funeral director liked Bill and encouraged him to change his career. With a Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette, it was easy for Bill to apply and be accepted at Mortuary School in Milwaukee.

Sheila, who came from three generations of funeral home directors, was introduced to a nice pre-dental student who unintentionally took her right back to where she began. The couple said it was just meant to be. When the Volkers, now married, moved to Chippewa Falls, Bill began working for Arnold Pederson at the Hogseth-Pederson Funeral Chapel. He took over the business, Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, in 1978. Sheila taught Spanish at the Chippewa Falls Senior High School, and later at the Middle School, retiring after 34 years of teaching.

Bill's childhood ties to the area and service to the community have inspired him and Sheila's participation in the Foundation and their generosity, establishing three funds in their name.

"I remember wondering how a foundation would ever fly in Chippewa," said Bill. "Look at where we're sitting now with the generosity of so many good people."

The Volkers' pride in the community is evident in their appreciation for how Chippewa Falls "is just getting better and better." They've witnessed many positive changes over the years, from development of the city's downtown and riverfront, industry that keeps growing along Seymour Cray Boulevard, and the new history center.

"This is a welcoming community," said Sheila, explaining the couple's commitment to supporting it. "There are so many assets in this community and so much to do here. We are part of the Foundation because it works in the best interests of Chippewa County. The staff and the board can see the needs in the community and respond to them."