Ropella, Ann Marie

1956 - 2010  (53 years)    Has 2 ancestors and 2 descendants in this family tree.

• Name	Ropella, Ann Marie
  Born	10 Oct 1956	Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
  Gender	Female
  Education - High School	Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
  Appleton High School Class of
  News Mention	January 19, 2010 Loss of beloved teacher Ann DeBruin a blow to Appleton West community By Kathy Walsh Nufer Post-Crescent staff writer APPLETON — "My Dearest Wombats," began the cheerful note, dated Jan. 15, from communication arts teacher Ann DeBruin to her students at Appleton West High School and Renaissance School for the Arts. "As you've probably noticed, I have been absent most of this week," she wrote, explaining how a substitute teacher would take her place through the end of January, at least. "Right now my medical issues are making me exceedingly weak. But I plan to get better ASAP, because I love my job and I miss you. I will still be grading many of your papers/tests etc. and will stay in touch so you don't forget me … or think you've been set free from my watchful eye (think 'Eye of Sauron'). I hope to see you soon, Mrs. DeBruin." Ann DeBruin instructed her husband to deliver the note Friday so it could be photocopied and distributed to all of her students. Friday night, however, DeBruin suffered a fatal heart attack, and Monday grieving staff, students and parents struggled with the sudden passing of a beloved teacher and West icon. "It's just so incredible she wrote it the day she died," said Lori Dolezal, who found that note so typical of DeBruin's "heart" for teaching and her students. "She was one of the best teachers my children ever had. It doesn't mean they were comfortable. It was very hard but they came out of it for the better." Dolezal said her son Ben had DeBruin for freshman honors communication arts this year. "My son loved her. He's into the arts and I think she ignited it in him further. She was very fun-loving and kind." West Principal Greg Hartjes said DeBruin, 53, who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and other health problems, had told him late last week "her heart and mind were willing but her body just isn't at this time." He noted that she had been using a wheelchair for the past year and her husband would take her to school and pick her up. If she couldn't make it to school he would drop off her lesson plans for the substitute and pick up papers to correct. "She just refused to give up teaching." Hartjes said DeBruin had an "ability to inspire kids with the passion she had for teaching. She challenged them and they would meet the challenge. ... She will be difficult to replace." A memorial service for DeBruin is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the West auditorium. Visitation will be held from 3:30 p.m. until the time of the service. "Teaching was her life and students recognized that," said Brian Bartel, a science teacher who called DeBruin one of his mentors. "There were times I felt just as uplifted and supported by her as students felt. She was very comforting to me through rough patches." Bartel said DeBruin, who drove a red Ford Mustang, was an avid Bruce Springsteen fan and Springsteen's music was played in the halls Monday between classes. Springsteen posters were plastered throughout the school, students and staff sharing memories of her in classes and students arranged to make T-shirts in DeBruin's name. Hannah Offerman, 18, a West senior, said DeBruin's death was a "pretty big shock to everyone. We knew she had health issues and she was going to take some time off, but not this. No matter how sick she was, she was always here at school. You knew if you walked into her room she would be smiling." Offerman created a Facebook page joined by more than 1,000 former and current students who wished to show their support. "It's amazing the number of students and alumni she had an impact on," Offerman said. She said she was losing her interest in literature until she took DeBruin's Advanced Placement course in English literature as a junior. "Mrs. DeBruin is the reason that I once again love and have a passion for writing and literature." Offerman said DeBruin made students want to be in class and "want to learn. She was an amazing teacher but also an amazing person. She was really easy to talk to. You knew she really cared. If you had a personal issue outside class, she wanted to know. She wanted to help." Bartel said the student comments on Facebook are a "living testament to how Ann has inspired, believed in and helped countless students throughout the years." "She was one of those teachers the kids were scared to death of the first week of class. By the end of the year they loved her," said Tom Morrissey, who taught with DeBruin in Renaissance. "Ann was a highly respected teacher at West and a close personal friend," said Val Cox, who teaches social studies at West. "She was a remarkable woman who made the lives of those lucky enough to know her better. There is a great deal of sadness at West today because we all realize how very much we've lost." Additional Facts On the Web Ann DeBruin remembered on Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=mf&gid=259037631113.
  Died	15 Jan 2010	Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
  Obituary	19 Jan 2010
  Appleton Post Crescent
  Ann Marie Ropella De Bruin, 53, of Appleton, died unexpectedly on Friday, January 15, 2010, at her home. Ann was born on October 10, 1956, in Appleton to Dennis and Nancy Ropella of Menasha. Ann grew up in Menasha and attended Clovis Grove Elementary and Butte des Morts Junior High School. She graduated from Menasha High School in 1974. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in English Education from Lawrence University in 1978 and later attained a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Ann began her teaching career at Stockbridge High School, then taught at Wrightstown High School, followed by Wilson Middle School and then taught for the past ten years at Appleton West High School and the Renaissance School for the Arts. Ann was proud to note that her teaching career had spanned five different decades. Ann married David Lawrence De Bruin on October 31, 1984. Their daughter, Sarah Jean, was born on September 25, 1984, followed by their son, Charles Dennis, on November 29, 1985. Ann was a dedicated teacher who cared for her students as if they were her own children. She welcomed everyone into her class with open arms. From Poe to punk rock, Ann was an innovative educator who inspired her students to become life-long learners and to pursue higher education. Ann loved her family. She tirelessly supported her children's pursuits: coaching Charles' T-Ball team, sewing Sarah's skating costumes, attending every play and concert for both children, and coaching their Odyssey of the Mind team for twelve years that included three trips to the World Finals. She was a loving sister, aunt and daughter who created many amazing birthday cakes, beautiful needlework and elaborate holiday celebrations. An avid swimmer, Ann swam at the cottage with four generations of family and, until her recent illness, swam two miles a day at Gold's Gym. She also gave a loving home to many cats, earning the nickname, "Crazy Cat Lady." Ann loved reading, cooking, sewing, music, movies and travel. Ann traveled to 48 of the 50 states and seven Canadian Provinces as well as the United Kingdom. She was an unwavering fan of the Chicago Cubs and a die-hard Bruce Springsteen fan. Never missing a Springsteen tour, Ann achieved her goal of attending 50 concerts by the age of 50. Ann loved to drive her red Mustang convertible to Springsteen concerts all over the country, proudly displaying vanity plates that read "BRUUUCE." Ann is survived by her husband, David, Appleton; her children: Sarah, Los Angeles; and Charles, Neenah; her stepsons: Andy, Stevens Point; Troy (Lisa), Kaukauna; her mother, Nancy Ropella Spindler, Neenah; her brother, Mark Ropella, Menasha; many loving nieces, nephews and in-laws. Ann was preceded in death by her father, Dennis Ropella, and her brother, Tom Ropella. The Celebration of Ann's Life will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at the Appleton West High School Auditorium, 610 N. Badger Avenue, Appleton. The family will receive friends at the high school on Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials for a scholarship in Ann's memory are appreciated. Wichmann Funeral Home 537 N. Superior Street Appleton 920-739-1231 Ann Marie Ropella 10/10/1956 1/15/2010 Post Crescent 1/19/2010 A 12
  Person ID	I161230	1FamilyTree
  Last Modified	26 Sep 2016

  
  

  Father	Ropella, Dennis,   b. 19 Feb 1927,   d. 11 Nov 1999  (Age 72 years)
  Mother	Prosser, Nancy
  Family ID	F69564	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	DeBruin, David Lawrence
  Children	1. DeBruin, Sarah Jean   2. DeBruin, Charles Dennis
  Last Modified	24 Mar 2016
  Family ID	F53487	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map	Load the map	Born - 10 Oct 1956 - Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA Education - High School - - Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA Died - 15 Jan 2010 - Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Photos

  DeBruin, Ann Marie (Maiden Name: Ropella)