From 1800s Wisconsin to Modern Day
The early years of Wisconsin history include the ancestors of Packerland Eyecare and Gotcha Covered.
Pfeffer-Hanert and Company - Chilton Furniture & Undertaking
Mr. A.J. Pfeffer started in the undertaking and furniture business in Chilton with the late Joseph Hanert in 1899. A.J. is the great grandfather of Dr. Sarah Dierks, and the father to Earl Pfeffer, who ran the Pfeffer funeral home for many years.
PFEFFER FUNERAL HOME, located 705 S. Madison St. was established in 1898 by Aloy J. Pfeffer who learned his embalming trade from Joseph Hanert. Hanert had one half of the old Knauf & Tesch store on the southside of E. Main St. near Larsen Cleaners. Knauf & Tesch conducted a general merchandise store on the other side. "AJ" as he was known also worked for a Mr. Roetke, an undertaker in the old Jodar Hardware building on West Main where they also sold furniture. He started his own business in a building on East Main, beside Larson Cleaners.All bodies were shown in the home at that time. In 1934, A.J. purchased the house on the present location. In 1941, Earl (Bud) Pfeffer, his son, took over and made many improvements. In January 1977, the funeral business was sold to Merlin Weiting, now the Weiting Funeral Home, Inc.
PACKERLAND EYECARE OF CHILTON, In 2023, the great granddaughter of A.J. And Earl acquired the same doors of her ancestors. A Post-Covid opportunity arose with Dr. Gary Burkhardt looking to retire and sell his Eyecare business. Ironically after traveling the United States, working in Omaha, and owning Packerland Eyecare in Appleton, Dr. Sarah Dierks and her husband Jon Schloesser acquired Burkhardt Eyecare, and have continued serving Chilton and Calumet County.
GOTCHA COVERED, Her husband Jon Schloesser is a retired military officer specializing in electrical systems and automation, with 20+ years in design and window treatments.. They returned to Wisconsin, where she has been serving the Fox Cities for more than 10 years with Packerland Eyecare. Jon opened and assumed duties for their fabric, window coverings, and furniture repair business. His family has been in quilting and furniture since the 1940s, with Schlösser Dairy before that in the 1850s. Jon acquired the Gotcha Covered brand of blinds to assist US Veterans for employment, and employs multiple veterans and the kids of veterans in Outagamie County.
Sarah and Jon offer window film, tint, furniture repair, window coverings, along with everything you would expect for optical care. Diabetic screenings, comprehensive eye exams, cataract and glaucoma evaluations with care plans, along with pediatric examinations, glasses, and contacts.
Doctor Background: After earning her B.S. in Biological Sciences at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Doctorate of Optometry degree (OD) from Indiana University School of Optometry, Dr. Dierks completed further clinical training at LasikPro in Orlando, FL, Omni Eye Services of Atlanta in Atlanta, GA, and Vision Care Specialists in Des Plaines, IL, along with specialty training at Indiana University Atwater and Community Eye Care clinics in Bloomington, IN. Awarded “Best of” in Papillion, Nebraska in 2011 and Appleton Magazine Women's Inspire Award in 2023.
www.packerlandeyecare.com