- Big Driek is once again with the love of his life, Mugs Honey. They were married on March 10, 1945. He leaves behind his precious children: Allen (Audrey) VanDyke, Ginger VanDyke, Linda (Jeff) Mueller, Leslie (Jim "Otto") Coenen, Jim (Lori) VanDyke. Seven grandchildren: Alexander Van Dyke, Adam (Sarah) Kieffer, Olivia (Isaac) Kieffer-Anderson, B.J Kieffer, Jamie, Cassie (Andy) and Otto Coenen. Two great-grandchildren: Winter and River Kieffer. Drieks "Special Nieces" Nancy and Mary Van Dyke and many "adopted children."
Driek was an acolyte, football, basketball and baseball coach at the former Holy Name of Jesus grade school. 1935-1939 at Kimberly High School he was captain of the football, baseball, softball, and track teams. He is a member of the KHS Hall of Fame and will be remembered as one of the best athletes to come out of KHS. He was first editor of the school newspaper, the ECHO.
In 1939, Driek and Chuck Sample went to Dykesville for Packer Tryouts. He was called home due to receiving draft papers. He served in WWII in the British Puerto Rico Antigua, St. Lucia, Trinidad, French Guiana as a control tower and radio operator. He was one of the very few people allowed to see the prison on Devils Island.
Back home he was a member of the semi-pro football team "Flying Dutchmen," refereed football and basketball (WIAA) umpired baseball and softball for 32 years. He coached CYO sports and was the athletic director of Holy Name of Jesus and ran 5th and 6th intramural basketball at Holy Name. He was an usher at Holy Name for 43 years. He served the Village of Kimberly as assessor and trustee. He served in the Golden Agers (Kimberly) for eight years.
After 44 years he retired from Kimberly-Clark Corp. in Kimberly, then in Neenah. He then was a crossing guard on Washington St. in Kimberly. Driek and Mugs toured 48 states on Nation Wide Bus trips.
Driek was preceded in death by: parents, Henry and Mayrne (Theirs) VanDyke, wife Margaret, sons Rikki and Joseph, Brother "Nig" and his wife Genevieve, sister Rose (Rome) Dietzen, in laws, Max and Amalie Islinger, brother-in-law: Ed Islinger, Giles Hietpas.
Driek will be fondly remembered by most people in Kimberly, sitting on his front porch on Washington St., waving to everyone who drove by.
Dad's request, if you come to church, be dressed in Packer clothes.
To my Angels: Betty DeJong, Tim Van Dera, Mary Skinner, Darryl Sheldon, Jody Worzalla, Deb Kempen, Braden Dornfeld, Dr. Dan Smith and RN Julie. Your acts of kindness and special friendship touched my heart. Friends like you are a rare treasure.
Visitation and concelebrated mass will be at St. Paul's Church in Combined locks at 12 Noon on Saturday, April 2, 2011, with lunch to follow.
Friends may call directly at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place in Holy Name Cemetery, Kimberly. Complete Military Rites will be conducted by the William Verhagen Post 60 of the American Legion immediately following services outside of church. Boettcher Family Funeral Home, Kaukauna, is assisting the family.
Driek wrote his own obituary word for word - these are his wishes. "Pa-Baby, give Mom a BIG HUG from us until we all meet again!"
11/13/1920 - 03/29/2011
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1920 - 2011 (90 years)
Obituary
