About Us

Lynne Krantz
Chair

My family first came to the area in the 1830’s. For the first five years of my life, I lived in the house they built and where my grandmother was born. My grandmother was very interested in history and preserving what we could of history. She collected antiques and restored the house where she was born. I have inherited much of that interest. The Big Woods School interested me because my husband’s family came to that locale when they arrived in Aurora. While they did not attend the school, I am interested in any connection to that area.

I am very interested in genealogy. With my family and my husband’s family both having deep roots in the area, I am always looking for any information I can find about their families and their lives. I am a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Union and Daughters of the American Colonists. I have participated in historic preservation with these organizations.

I graduated from West Aurora High School and Aurora University with a Bachelors in Business Management. I am retired from MetLife and Waubonsie Community College. I have two children and two grandchildren.

Rhonda Breier
Vice Chair

At the heart of our mission to preserve historical buildings, you’ll find Rhonda Breier, our dedicated Director. Rhonda believes in the power of preserving these witnesses to our cultural past, as they provide a vital connection to history and help weave a strong sense of community.

Rhonda brings her detail-oriented expertise as a web developer to the Big Woods School Foundation, where she offers valuable technical and administrative support. When she’s not busy with her work, you’ll often find Rhonda engrossed in a good book or cherishing moments with her family, friends, and beloved pets.

As John Noble Holcomb wisely said, “You have to become involved to make an impact,” and Rhonda embodies this spirit in her commitment to our cause.

Roger Vernon
Treasurer

I am a retired army veteran and have lived in the area since 1988. My wife and I celebrated our 48-year anniversary this year. I have been the chairman of the Big Woods Marmion Neighborhood Area since its formation in 2006. In 2007, I was instrumental in saving the Big Woods School from the wrecking ball.

I am a founding member and past Chairman of the Big Woods School Foundation (BWSF). In 2015, I assisted with getting the School listed on the State and National Registries of Historic Places. I achieved Aurora Historic Landmark status for the School in 2020. The following year, I acquired a $50,000 grant from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to repair the clay tile roof.

Darlene Varney
Secretary

Darlene Varney joined the board of Big Woods School after participating as a reenactor in the Cemetery Walk. Her interest in family history developed through her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, an organization that has deepened her appreciation for genealogy and local history.

A retired nurse administrator in Aurora, Illinois, Darlene has devoted much of her time to serving the community. She has been involved with several community organizations and boards, including the Family Counseling board, and has served as a commissioner with the Grand Army of the Republic. She is also active in the Minerva Coterie and Press Glass community groups.

Darlene’s roles as a wife, mother, and grandmother are especially meaningful to her. Her other interests include historic preservation, grant writing, and grant management. Her master’s degree in Community Health Management has provided a strong foundation for these skills and her continued community involvement.

Darlene currently serves as the Recording Secretary for Big Woods School.

Jill LaVine
Historian

Since moving to Aurora in 1997, the Big Woods School had intrigued me. I’m passionate about history, and I love and appreciate old buildings. In 2017, I was volunteering at a Boy Scout event at the church next door. I asked about the school and was introduced to a Big Woods School Foundation (BWSF) board member. The next month I was on the board.

I’m passionate about every facet of the school – from the history of the building to the former teachers and students as well as our plans for restoration and beyond. Interviewing former students, celebrating the school’s 100th birthday, holding the Cemetery Walk and receiving our first $50,000 grant are my highlights of the project so far. I look forward to making connections with people and organizations so they can learn about and support our mission. It’s my privilege to serve as Chairman of the BWSF with my fellow board members.

I also enjoy spending time with my two teenagers and dog. In my free time, I conduct Genealogical research, visit historical sites, and travel.

Terri Voitik
Director

Terri Voitik is a founding member of the Big Woods School Foundation. She has a deep love for all things historic and is committed to preserving both nature and history in her community.

Terri currently serves as the President of the Village of Lee, Illinois, and is an active member of the Village of Lee Community and Economic Advisory Committee, as well as the DeKalb Regional Planning Commission. She is also a member of the Lee Lions.

In the past, she served as the Steward of the Big Woods Forest Preserve and held a leadership role as an officer of the Valley of the Fox Group of the Sierra Club. Terri was also a member of the Fermi Lab Advisory Board and the Big Woods Marmion Neighborhood Board.

A retired nurse, Terri is also a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother of five. She is deeply connected to her community and is known for her love of both the City of Aurora and the Village of Lee.

Dr. Jim Varney
Director

Dr. Jim Varney has been an educator in Aurora for over 45 years. He served parents and students in West Aurora, District 129 for 35 years, teaching regular and special needs children and acting as an Elementary School Principal for over 20 years. He then was an Associate Professor at Aurora University for an additional 13 years, retiring as the Chair of the Elementary Education program.

It is this passion for teaching and learning, and experience with schools that Dr. Varney brings to the Big Woods School Foundation Board. The concept of a one-room schoolhouse was innovative and unique, and Big Woods School in its day was pioneering. Having an opportunity to preserve and restore Big Woods to the educational resource it once was is what attracted Dr. Varney to serve on the Board.

Big Woods School has such great potential to become an educational tool once again, attracting families and children from across the area to learn how a one-room school functioned. Additionally, a fully restored School can be a local gathering place, building connections and community. As Director and Chair of the Fundraising Committee, Dr. Varney is committed to finding funding sources so this mission can be fulfilled.