VanderZanden, Michael "Mike"

Other Events:

• Obituary: 6 May 2018; APC

Notes:

Obituary:
Hortonville - Michael Steven Vander Zanden. Mike- father, son, brother, uncle, and friend- lost his battle with mental illness and completed suicide on May 5, 2018. Age 32, Mike was born in Appleton on September 16, 1985 to David and Cynthia (Janssen) Vander Zanden. Mike was a devoted father to his 5 year old son, Charlie, and treasured all of the their time spent together. He enjoyed hunting, spending time up north at the cottage, playing golf, and harassing his sisters. He deeply missed his older brother Nick, who completed suicide 15 years ago. It was known to all that Mike was Grandma Janssen's favorite. He was known for his huge smile, his mischievous sense of humor, and his many creative business endeavors.
Mike will be deeply missed by his son, Charlie Somers; his parents, David and Cynthia Vander Zanden; his 3 sisters, Becky Montour, Kelly (Spenser) Rathsack and Jayda Vander Zanden; his Godparents and aunt and uncle, Deb (Greg) Sprangers, as well as other aunts and uncles, Donna (Don) Stratton, Barb (John) Kelderman, Lynn (Mark) Van Zeeland, Randy (Basia) Vander Zanden, Patti (Steve) Canan, Linda (Jerry) Vanevenhoven, Jim Janssen, Mike (Tammy) Janssen, and Anne (Randy) Reschke. Mike is further survived by numerous cousins, friends, and relatives.
Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Nick; cousin, Ally; paternal grandparents, Donald and Dolores Vander Zanden, and his maternal grandparents, Merlin and Joyce Janssen.
The funeral liturgy for Mike will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Hortonville (105 N. Olk St.), with Fr. Adam Bradley officiating. Friends may visit directly at the church on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until the hour of the service. Interment will be in Holy Spirit Cemetery in Kimberly.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested the donations be directed to the Nicholas and Michael Vander Zanden Memorial Fund.
The family would like to thank Dr. Leonard and all the nurses in the ICU at St. Elizabeth Hospital for their compassionate care during Mike's final two weeks.
Our lives will be a little less bright without your smile, but we will feel its warmth from Heaven when you meet again with Nick.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent from May 6 to May 8, 2018