Prosser, Nancy

Nancy married Ropella, Dennis [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Education - Graduation: 1981, Menasha High School

Other Events:

• Education - High School: Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
• Obituary: 19 Jan 2010; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Education - High School:
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.

Obituary:
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

Ann married DeBruin, David Lawrence (son of DeBruin, Quintin J. and Artz, Johanna Marie) [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Obituary: 30 Apr 2008; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Thomas D. "Tom" Ropella, age 46, of Menomonie, died suddenly on Sunday, April 27, 2008, at the Red Cedar Medical Center in Menomonie. Tom was born August 3, 1961, in Appleton, the son of Dennis and Nancy (Prosser) Ropella. Tom grew up in Menasha where he made lifelong friends, racked up massive library fines, and spent idyllic summers playing Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, riding his bike, and swimming and fishing at the family cottage on Sawyer Lake. He graduated from Menasha High School in 1979 and attended the UW Center-Fox Valley for several years before transferring to UW-Stevens Point. At UWSP, Tom forged many lasting friendships, became involved in radio, television and film production and met the love of his life, Carol Diser. He earned his BS in Communications in 1984 and worked for several years operating the community cable access station in Stevens Point. Tom and Carol were married at the Mabel Tainter Memorial Theater on August 9, 1986, and embarked on a grand adventure together, moving to Austin, TX, where they befriended many amazing Texans who loved them despite their strange Yankee ways. Tom attended the University of Texas to pursue a career in Elementary Education and was awarded Student Teacher of the Year by UT. He and Carol both began their teaching careers in Austin; Tom taught at Eanes Elementary in Westlake Hills where he was honored as New Teacher of the Year. Wishing to be nearer to family and old friends, Tom and Carol moved to Menomonie in 1993 where Tom began teaching at Oaklawn Elementary. Tom loved his school, his colleagues and his students; he had many passions, including science, computers, music and children's literature. He was an advisor for the MHS Yearbook for three years, he built sets and designed posters and programs for musicals that Carol directed, and recently served as editor for Oaklawn's yearbook for several years. Tom and Carol's daughter, Rachel, was born in 1998 and quickly became the apple of her daddy's eye. Tom taught Rachel to fish and swim at the cottage and shared his love of music, movies and books with her. He is responsible for Rachel's love of science fiction and fantasy films and books including Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. Tom earned his Master's in Education from The College of Saint Scholastica in 2001 and made a special appearance on Antiques Roadshow in 2004. Tom and Carol were blessed with their son, Henry, through adoption. Tom and Carol celebrated their 20th Wedding Anniversary at the Guatemalan Embassy where Henry's adoption was finalized on August 9, 2006. Although their time together was far too short, Tom shared his love of books, music, the Packers, the Cubs, and the Texas Longhorns with his precious son.
Tom was very proud of the boat that he had recently acquired and loved to go fishing with family members and his fishing buddies. For the past two years, Tom has pursued a certificate in Public History through a Learning By Doing Fellowship under the auspices of UW-Eau Claire and CESA 10. He became immersed in Menomonie's rich history and shared this new passion with his students, colleagues, and family. He created a 30 minute documentary on Menomonie native and inventor, Harry Miller, and was in the process of helping his students to create documentaries on Menomonie history as well. His work and the work of his students will be screened for the public at the Mable Tainter Memorial Theater in mid-May. Tom will be remembered for his sense of humor and the love he shared with his family, friends and students. His legacy will live on for many years to come.
Tom is survived by his wife, Carol; a daughter, Rachel and a son, Henry both at home; his mother, Nancy Ropella Spindler and her husband Roger Spindler of Neenah; a sister, Ann DeBruin and husband David of Appleton and their children, Sarah Bruin of Burbank, CA; Charles DeBruin of St. Paul, MN; a brother, Mark Ropella of Menasha; father and mother-in-law, Philip and Margaret "Peg" Diser of Menomonie; a brother-in-law, John Diser and wife Tracy of Stevens Point and their children, Justin and Sarah Diser; and other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, Dennis Ropella.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2008, at First Congregational Church in Menomonie with Rev. Rob MacDougall officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.
Online condolences may be made at www.rhielfuneralhome.com
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services-Menomonie is serving the family.