From Holdrege Graduate to Local Entrepreneur

Growing up in Holdrege, Marcus VanEperen said he felt valued because of the sense of community and people’s kindness toward him.

“Whether it was through school, community events, or simply knowing my neighbors, there was always a feeling that people cared and wanted to see one another succeed,” he said. “I appreciated growing up in a place where teachers, coaches, healthcare providers, and local businesses took the time to know you personally and encouraged you to do your best.”

Marcus, a 2013 Holdrege High School graduate, is now raising his family in Phelps County and recently became a local business owner after purchasing Diamond Exterminating from Mark and Kim Gillespie.

“Owning a business in Phelps County has been a longtime goal of mine because I wanted the opportunity to invest in the community that invested in me,” Marcus said. “Growing up here taught me the value of hard work and building strong relationships. When the opportunity came to purchase Diamond Exterminating, it felt like the perfect way to serve the people and businesses in the community we proudly call home.”

Marcus said he and his wife, Randi, want to build a business that their family can be proud of and that makes a positive impact on Phelps County for years to come.

Randi was born and raised on a farm outside Hildreth and graduated from Wilcox-Hildreth High School in 2014. She attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney and then earned a bachelor's degree in nursing at UNMC in Kearney and an RN-BSN. She has worked at Phelps Memorial Hospital as an emergency room nurse for 6 years. 

Marcus also attended UNK, where he earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural business. While in college, he worked as a car salesman for Auto One and then moved back to Holdrege, where he managed Reed Disposal for almost eight years.

Randi and Marcus live in Funk, where they are raising their two daughters, Everly, 6, and Haven, 3. 

“My wife and I are very family-oriented, so having both of our families nearby made the decision to move back to the area in 2017 an easy one,” Marcus said. “We wanted to build our careers, raise our family, and become part of the community that helped shape us.”

Marcus said he had always wanted to own a business in Phelps County, even dating back to his high school years. He is grateful for the opportunity to purchase an established business and continue to expand and grow the business.

Diamond Exterminating offers residential and commercial pest control services for anything from ants to rodents. Marcus said the business specializes in termite treatment and uses up-to-date methods to provide the best structural protection possible. He also provides bed bug and flea treatments. His service area includes Holdrege, Funk, Loomis, Bertrand, Smithfield, Axtell, Minden, Wilcox, Hildreth, Harlan Lake area, Alma, Orleans, Oxford, Arapahoe, and many farms in between.

“One of the things I enjoy most about this business is that there's always something new to learn,” Marcus said. “As the pest control industry continues to evolve, I want to continue expanding our knowledge and explore new services that can be added to our existing monthly treatment plans for both residential and commercial customers.”

Marcus said it’s important for young people to know that they don't have to leave Phelps County to build a successful and fulfilling life. 

“For those willing to work hard and get involved, Phelps County is a place where you can build a meaningful career, raise a family, and make a lasting impact on the community,” he said. “Hard work will not go unnoticed in Phelps County, and opportunities will come your way.” 

For more information about Diamond Exterminating, call Marcus at 308-991-4224 or message through Diamond Exterminating on Facebook.