- Van Lanen, Francis P., "Fra n" KaukaunaAge 79, was called home to the Lord on Tuesday, April 8, 2003. He was bo rn to the late Francis and Catherine (VanderHeiden) Van Lanen in Wrightsto wn on July 22, 1923. On May 1, 1947, Fran married Beatrice Bruecker at S t. Patrick Catholic Church in Askeaton. She preceded him in death in Octob er, 1971. On August 4, 1973, he married Elizabeth "Becky" Van Thull-Clanc y, also at St. Patrick Catholic Church. She, too, preceded him in dea th in October, 1993.Fran and his new wife Beatrice began dairy farming in Askeaton. He farm ed for nearly 30 years. He was a progressive farmer, one of the first to i mplement a new concept of milking cows — the milking parlor. He and his fa cilities were instrumental in the development of innovative material and f orage handling systems. After retiring from farming, he worked for Hoida L umber Company in Green Bay, followed by Ariens Corporation in Brillion, wh ere he retired. After retiring and moving to Green Bay, he remained tempor arily employed as a lawn maintenance technician until the age of 72. Aft er selling his home in Green Bay, he took up residence at St. Paul Man or in Kaukauna in May of 2002.Besides being an avid Packer fan, his intere sts included membership in various church organizations, singing in chur ch choirs, and carpentry. Anyone close to Fran knew of his passion and ten acity for playing cards. He was unbeatable at sheepshead and poker.Fran is survived by eight children: David (Clarene "Reenie") Van Lan en of Madison, Anna (Bob) Giese of Sheboygan, Michael (Sharon) Van Lan en of Darboy, Gerard (Cindy) Van Lanen of De Pere, Victoria (Mike) Wi di of Greenville, Anthony "Tony" (Sally) Van Lanen of Trinidad, CO, Lee V an Lanen of Whitelaw, and Tara Van Lanen of Minneapolis, MN; four stepchil dren: Patrick (Lana) Clancy, Debbie Clancy, Tim (Gina) Clancy, and Joe Cla ncy; 28 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and two on the way; a bro ther: Bill (Mary Lou) Van Lanen; three sisters: Collette Nytes, Mary (Bo b) Kessler, Sister Anne Jude; and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Van Lanen. Fr an is further survived by his very special friend Vonnie Wege. He is al so survived by numerous other family and friends.Fran is preceded in death by his four brothers: Rueben (Marie), Ralph, Nor bert (Mayme), and Eugene Van Lanen; and a brother-in-law, Herb Nytes.The funeral liturgy will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 200 3, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 7815 St. Patrick Church Road, Askeato n, with Fr. Allen Geiser and Fr. Charles Brooks officiating. Friends wi ll be received at the Fargo Funeral Home in Kaukauna on Friday, April 1 1, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. a nd at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the liturg y. Burial will be at St. Patrick Cemetery at a later time.The family extends a special thank you to Sister Elora, the staff at St. P aul Manor, and the staff at Appleton Medical Center for assisting Dad in l iving his final days with dignity.A memorial fund in Francis' name is being established and donations wi ll be directed to the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Wisconsin."Safely Home" I am home in heaven, dear ones; oh, so happy and so brigh t! There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light, all the pa in and grief is over, every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace for ever, safely home in heaven at last, for I love you dearly still; try to l ook beyond earth's shadows, pray to trust our Father's will. FARGO FUNER AL HOME 400 West Wisconsin Avenue Kaukauna
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1923 - 2003 (79 years)
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Obituary
