Our Caring Staff

Matt is a third-generation funeral director here at the funeral home. Early on Matt had a desire to serve people, so in addition to funeral service, he also considered a career in both ministry and elementary education. He ultimately chose to pursue a career in funeral service because he felt his passion for ministry and education could best be utilized by serving families in their deepest times of need. 

Matt graduated with honors from the Milwaukee Area Technical College Funeral Service program in 2003. While in college Matt received a variety of awards and scholarships which earned him the honor of being named valedictorian of his funeral service class. 

Matt is a past-president of the Lakeshore District of the Wisconsin Funeral Director’s Association and served as the President of the Wisconsin Funeral Director's Association from 2023-2024.

He enjoys the opportunity to be involved with his community through a variety of charitable organizations and especially enjoys the opportunity to speak with and educate local groups on a variety of topics pertaining to funeral service. 

Matt and his wife Nicky, along with their six children, are members at St. John's Lutheran Church in West Bend where Matt serves on the St. John's West Bend Foundation Board. Matt's greatest joy in life is spending time with his family and investing in his children's lives. As a family, they enjoy going on road trips, camping, hiking, biking, and boating. Matt is looking forward to the day when his children can join him on the golf course and the ski hill.

Bob Patten became a licensed funeral director in January 1991 after graduating from the Milwaukee Area Technical College funeral service program and completing his apprenticeship at the Myrhum Funeral Home. In 1998 he earned the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (APFSP) after completing a 180-hour program of continuing education and events. 

He is a Past-President of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association (WFDA), having served as President in 2011-2012. He is a charter member and Past-President of the West Bend Sunrise Rotary Club, and has been honored by being named a Paul Harris Fellow. He is member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in West Bend where he served as treasurer for several years. 

Bob and his wife, Kerri jo, have two children, Evan and Elise.

Steve joined the Miller Funeral Home in September of 2011. In addition to being a licensed funeral director, he is also a licensed preneed insurance agent. 

Steve, the son of Steve and Sue Volm, was born and raised in Kewaskum on his family’s farm and graduated from Kewaskum High School in 2007. He attended college at UW Washington County and earned his degree at Milwaukee Area Technical College in 2011 as a licensed funeral director. In 2018 he married Whitney Pfeiffer at Peace United Church of Christ in Kewaskum. Steve has a daughter, Rosie; a son, Spencer; and two stepchildren, Madison and Carson. 

When Steve is not working, he enjoys shooting trap with his wife and dad at Mayville Gun Club and Lomira Sportsman's Club, hunting, and spending time with his family and friends. 

From a young age, Brianna knew she was meant to be a funeral director. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with her Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science and after searching, she found her calling here with all the other compassionate staff at Myrhum Patten Miller & Kietzer Funeral Homes. She is excited to be involved with such a wonderful community helping those in the area remember and honor the lives of their loved ones.

In her spare time, she enjoys running, cross-country skiing, hiking, camping, watching sports, and riding her motorcycle. Brianna and her husband, Bill, have two children and enjoy spending time as a family.

Gino Canzoneri joined Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service in April of 2024. With three generations of family in the profession, Gino begins the fourth. “I was raised at the funeral home, it’s what I know and love. It’s home for me!” “I am excited to now call Fond du Lac county my home and continue my professional career with Myrhum-Patten and Twohig Funeral Homes.”

Gino graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2020. He continued his education at Milwaukee Area Technical College receiving his degree in Mortuary Science and becoming licensed in 2022.

In addition to Gino’s state licensure, he holds certification as a CCO (Certified Crematory Operator), which requires specific qualifications and additional continuing education requirements. 

On the “fun” side, Gino enjoys hiking and kayaking, trying a new restaurant, family fun, and a “mean” old fashioned.

Chad Gavigan is the son of Colleen Gavigan, and was born in Milwaukee in 1987. Chad has lived in many areas of southeast Wisconsin, but ultimately has made West Bend his home. In 2016, Chad married Brittney Ulik at St. John’s Lutheran Church in West Bend. Chad and Brittney have three children: a son Sawyer who was born in 2018, a daughter Ingrid born in 2020, and a daughter Savannah born in 2023.

Chad’s passion and desire to help others in their time of need and become a Funeral Director was God’s calling for Chad after the loss of his son Sawyer in 2018. Chad is a 2022 Graduate of Milwaukee Area Technical College in Funeral Service. He is also a Certified Crematory Operator.

When not at Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home, Chad enjoys watching the Chicago Blackhawks and Green Bay Packers, along with spending time with friends and family, perhaps around a campfire with a cigar and whisky in hand.

Lee graduated with honors from Milwaukee Area Technical College in West Allis. He feels honored and blessed to serve as a Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Certified Funeral Celebrant at the Myrhum-Patten and Twohig Family Funeral Homes.

After attending the funeral of his grandmother in 2016 at Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home, Eric knew that the Funeral Service Industry was his life’s vocation. Subsequent to graduating from Hartford Union High School in 2020, Eric attended Moraine Park Technical College and graduated with High Honors in August 2022 with an Associate Degree in Business Management. He is also a Certified Project Coordinator, and has a diploma in Business Logistics Coordination. What Eric enjoys most about working with Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home is the camaraderie and friendliness of everyone around him, along with the joy of fulfillment in assisting people who are enduring the worst experience of their lives. Eric also enjoys working with the Funeral Directing staff in order to fully optimize the care and attention given to families.

During his free time, Eric is oftentimes helping people, or spending quality time with friends and family. Eric loves going to Bucks and Brewer games, or watching from home - as well as traveling, drinking coffee, having a cigar with friends, collecting watches, listening to music, and catching up on a favorite TV show. Eric lives in Jackson and is a member of St. Mary of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Mayville.

Dan was born and raised in Milwaukee. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Hospital Corpsman. After his time in the Navy, Dan went on to work at the A.O. Smith Corp. While at A.O. Smith, Dan attended Moraine Park Technical College for Criminal Justice.

Dan moved to West Bend in 1976 and joined the West Bend Police Department in 1980. He worked a variety of assignments within the West Bend Police Department and retired after 27 years of service in 2007 as a night-shift Sergeant/Watch Commander.

Dan joined the Myrhum-Patten family in April 2016 as a Funeral Service Associate. He and his lovely wife, Sue, have four adult children and live in the West Bend area. Dan performs as a singer in his free time and enjoys sharing his talent with his friends and family.

John was born and raised on a farm in the Town of Wayne. He attended St. Bridget’s and Holy Trinity Catholic Schools, graduating in 1956. After attending Kewaskum High School, he started his working career at Regal Ware in Kewaskum and worked there for nine years. After that, he worked at Weasler Engineering retiring after 37 years of service. He then began working with Miller Funeral Home following his retirement in 2006. 

John and his wife, Jeaneen have been married 50+ years and have two married sons. They have eight step-grandchildren. 

They belong to Holy Trinity Catholic Church where they are active volunteers. He is a retired fireman from the Kewaskum Fire Department after volunteering for 22 years. He retired as a Lieutenant of the department. 

When not working at the funeral home, John and Jeaneen enjoy traveling and just taking life easy.

Gerry was born and raised in West Bend. He attended Good Shepherd Lutheran Grade School and Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School. After high school, he graduated from UW-Washington County, MPTC, and Southern Illinois University.

Gerry found his passion for serving others as a member of the West Bend Fire & Rescue Department. He served for 38 years, the last 10 years as Fire Chief. He retired in May 2023. Gerry also served on many boards, including Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School, Volunteer Center of Washington County, and Moraine Park Technical College.

Gerry continued his desire to serve others by joining the Myrhum-Patten staff as a Funeral Service Associate in October of 2023. He and his wife, Lisa, have three adult daughters. They enjoy camping and spending time outdoors with their dog, Nash.

Scott Lawrence recently retired from the Navy Reserve after 33 years. His military career was spent with the Army, Air Force, and recently, in the Navy. He did three deployments to the Middle East including a tour to Iraq. 

He was awarded multiple campaign awards including being nominated for the Navy Marine Corps Medal for bravery. He recently received the Gary Wetzel Award for heroic service by the Milwaukee Armed Forces Committee. Scott was a long-time member of the Funeral Honors Team which is where he got to know the crew at Myrhum-Patten and felt called to assist in funeral services.

Scott works full-time remotely as a Senior Legal Director for a law firm in Atlanta, Georgia, handling probate and estate planning cases. Scott currently lives in Hartford with his wife Dawn, daughter Jenna, and his three labrador retrievers. When not working, Scott enjoys a round of golf, and spending time with his family and dogs.

Dave Schildt was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI where he graduated from South Division High School in 1962. Dave is a U.S. Army Veteran and was a member of the Milwaukee Police Dept. for 31 years, retiring in 1996.

He and his wife, Doreen, have lived in Kewaskum since 2002. They have four children and two grandchildren. Dave and Doreen are members of Community Church in West Bend where they serve in several capacities. They enjoy camping, fishing, traveling, golfing, boating, and working on their property in the town of Kewaskum.

Dave joined the funeral home staff in 2012, fulfilling his desire to serve people in their time of need.

My name is Emma, and as part of the team at Myrhum-Patten Funeral and Cremation Service, I work remotely providing meaningful aftercare for the families we serve via text message and email. I cherish the opportunity to connect with families every day by sharing helpful resources and having genuine conversations. It’s an honor serving our community in this capacity and implementing values I hold dear in my personal life as well! Namely, kindness, selflessness, and connection.

Outside of work, you’ll catch me reading a book, going for a run, or spending time with my family.

Charles Edward Myrhum, age 64, of West Bend, was granted eternal rest on Saturday, April 2, 2016 following a one-month struggle with an aggressive cancer.

He was born on Friday, October 19, 1951 to the late Ole and Ruth (nee Weber) Myrhum at St. Joseph’s Hospital in West Bend.  As a young boy, Chuck helped his father at their furniture store and funeral home and eventually, at the age of 15, began helping his father with their ambulance service.  He graduated from West Bend High School in the class of 1970 and continued his education as an accounting major graduating from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1975.

Chuck always felt that his real calling was in funeral service so he continued his college education and became a licensed funeral director in 1977.  During his career his commitment to serving both his profession and his community were evident.  He was an active member and past president of both the Lakeshore Funeral Directors Association and the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association.  He also had the honor of chairing several sub-committees within the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association.  He served on the board of appeals for the city of West Bend and was also an active member and past president of the West Bend Noon Kiwanis Club.  After taking over operations of the family business, Chuck was influential in remodeling their West Bend location which saw the addition of an on-site crematory to better serve the needs of the community.  He also helped expand the business from their one location in West Bend to four locations serving West Bend, Kewaskum, Mayville, and Lomira.  While he led an accomplished career, Chuck’s greatest joy was having the opportunity to work first with his father and later with his son.

Chuck was a carefree man who loved life.  He enjoyed boating on the lake, hiking, going for bike rides, walking downtown at the farmers market, cooking, and going to plays.  He liked traveling and in recent years traveled to many destinations around the world.  He loved golfing and always looked forward to his annual golf weekend with the “Hasbeen Hackers”.  The fourth of July was Chuck’s favorite holiday and he spent it driving the Kiwanis go-karts in the local parade in the morning, spending the afternoon boating on Big Cedar Lake where he would later watch the fireworks display, and finally ending the day with his own amazing firework show.  He loved spending time with his daughter touring historic locations around Wisconsin and always looked forward to their special lunches together.  He lived for his grandchildren and loved spending as much time playing with them as he could.  

Chuck will be remembered as a hard-working man who led by example and always did the heavy lifting.  He was humble, kind, and generous.  Above all, he was a selfless person who would do anything for anyone at any time. 

Chuck was a great mentor and friend who dedicated his life to serving others.  On behalf of all of us here at the Myrhum Patten Miller & Kietzer Funeral Homes we are extremely honored to now have the opportunity to serve him.