Our Staff
Marcus grew up in Northeast Iowa in St. Olaf, IA, and graduated from the Elkader High School, Elkader, IA in 1972. He moved to Cedar Rapids, IA, and attended and graduated from the Kirkwood Community College in 1975. He then moved to Chicago to attend the Worsham Mortuary College and graduated in 1976, Moving back to Iowa to serve his internship at the Hayden Funeral Home in Wyoming, IA. After receiving his funeral director license he moved back to Cedar Rapids to work at the John B. Turner & Sons Funeral Home.
Marcus purchased the Schmidt Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA in 1978 and this is where he has made his home ever since. Being on the Illinois and Missouri border he obtained his Illinois and Missouri Funeral Director and Embalmers License.
In 1994 he purchased the former Shaffer and Sons Funeral Home in Kahoka, MO, now named, Vigen Memorial Home. In 2018, the opportunity arose to purchase a building in Montrose, IA, and the Vigen Memorial Home Chapel of Montrose was established.
Marcus and Sarah were married in 2005 and together they strive to help families create a personalized tribute to their loved ones.
Marcus and Sarah are members of the First Christian Church in Keokuk.
Sarah has lived in Keokuk since 1970 when her family moved here from southern Illinois. She graduated from Keokuk High School and then attended Lincoln Christian College for one year. She returned to Keokuk and graduated from Southeastern Community College and furthered her education at George Williams College in Downers Grove, IL where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree.
Sarah began her employment with Vigen Memorial Home in 1995. In 2001, she decided to return to school to further her education in funeral service. Sarah graduated from Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, CO in August of 2003 with a degree in Mortuary Science. She has received her funeral directors licenses for Iowa, Illinois and Missouri.
Sarah and Marcus Vigen were married in 2005 and together they strive to help families create a personalized tribute to their loved ones.
Sarah and Marcus are members of the First Christian Church in Keokuk.
Sarah is an active member of the Great River Players Community Theater voluntering in various ways as well as appearing on stage from time to time. Music is a big part of her life and she currently is the organist at All Saints Catholic Church and St. Johns Episcopal Church in Keokuk.
Melissa was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and at the age of 3 moved to Keokuk with her parents. She was a 1994 graduate of the Keokuk High School and a 2002 graduate of the Carl Sandburg College, Mortuary Science Department. Melissa received her funeral directors license in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. She is currently working at the Vigen Memorial Home in Kahoka, MO where she resides with her husband Jason, and her two sons, Ryan and Brent.
Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching her sons in their sporting events, traveling, and helping and doing things for the community.
Marc is a dedicated funeral director who views his profession as a true vocation.
A 1991 graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Marc has honed his skills in embalming and restoration, excelling in these areas while providing compassionate care to families in need.
Marc is deeply rooted in his community as a member of St. Jude Catholic Church in New Lenox and a 1986 graduate of Providence Catholic High School. He is actively involved in the community, serving on various boards and committees, making a lasting impact through his work and personal commitment to helping others.
Marc is married to Colleen, and together they have three adult children: Noah, Mary, and Molly.
Driven by a passion for supporting families during their most difficult times, Marc continues to make a meaningful difference through his expertise, dedication, and unwavering service.
Brad has been a Funeral Director for 26 years and has been with Kurtz Memorial Chapel for 21 years. He currently manages the Frankfort location.
He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications and Psychology, then went on to earn his degree from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1999.
Originally from Crete, Brad has lived in Frankfort since 2002. He has two adult sons, John (Susan) and Joseph (Megan), and two grandsons, Kayden and Adam.
In his free time, he enjoys working out, running, reading, and traveling. He is also a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Frankfort.
Stacy Malone has been a part of the Kurtz Memorial Chapel family since 2012 and now serves as the Office Manager at our New Lenox location. With a sharp eye for detail and a heart for helping others, she keeps everything running smoothly—handling billing, building maintenance, ordering supplies, scheduling, and more.
A longtime resident of Manteno, IL, Stacy is a proud wife, mom of six, and Nana to Colton Beau. She knows firsthand how important family is, and she brings that same care and dedication to the families we serve. Beyond her work at Kurtz, Stacy is actively involved in her community, volunteering her time to support local organizations and those in need.
For Stacy, being able to support families during such a difficult time is truly an honor. She takes pride in making sure every detail is handled with care, so families can focus on what matters most. Her dedication—both at work and in the community—helps Kurtz Memorial Chapel provide comfort, support, and exceptional service when it’s needed most.
I’ve been part of the Kurtz Memorial Chapel family for 18 years—13 full-time and 5 part-time. This place means a lot to me, and I’ve always been loyal to the work we do. With strong secretarial and organizational skills, I make sure everything runs smoothly, but the most important part of my job is showing compassion and understanding. Having experienced loss in my own family, I know how hard these moments can be. Helping families through such difficult times is truly humbling and rewarding. I always strive to treat every family with the same kindness, care, and respect that I would want for my own.
