- Barb Vander Bloemen, nee Thiele, Greenleaf (Town of Holland), age 73, passed away on January 9, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, with family by her side, after a year long battle with leukemia. Barb was born on October 30, 1940 to the late Harold and La Vern (Maurer) Thiele in Glenmore, WI. She grew up in Kaukauna graduating from Kaukauna High School in 1958. Barb attended Milwaukee Hospital School of Nursing. She married Richard Vander Bloemen on November 5, 1959. In 1966 Dick and Barb bought a dairy farm in the Town of Holland affectionately known as "Boom Boom" acres. Barb was a true city girl that adapted well to country life, causing quite a stir the day she wanted to get a tan, while driving a tractor in a one piece swim suit. In addition, she worked at Colony Oaks and Franciscan Care for many years, while working on the family farm.
Barb loved taking care of her family, gardening, canning, baking, and cooking. She was famous for her baked corn, rice krispie treats, yakima, fruit cake, pumpkin bread and Ole & Sven jokes. She loved watching the birds outside with cats on her lap. Barb enjoyed watching her grandchildren participating in various sports. Barb was also an avid fan of the Packers and Brewers.
Barb is survived by her husband of 54 years, Richard "Dick"; four sons: Rick (Pam), Robert, Reed (Ann), and Randall; one daughter, Rayne (Kevin) Vosters; six grandchildren: Candace Buss, Eric Jaworski, Spencer Vander Bloemen, Tyler Vander Bloemen, Haley and Matthew Vander Bloemen; and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings: Darlene (Steve) Vander Heiden, Denise (Gary) Selsmeyer; in-laws: Ray (Gerti) Vander Bloemen, Diane Holz, Marilyn (Bob) Munes, Karen Andrews, Sue (Butch) Vandenberg, Carol Thiele, Richard (Mary) Pekarske and Pat Vander Bloemen; many nieces, nephews, other relative and friends. She is also survived by a very special friend, Karen (Gary) Heiges.
Barb was preceded in death by a son, Russell "Mark Turner" Vander Bloemen, her parents, Harold and La Vern Thiele, a brother, Roger Thiele and a sister, Jerilyn "Thiele" Pekarske; Richard's parents, Ray and Phyllis Vander Bloemen; brothers-in-law: Dennis Vander Bloemen, Wayne Holz and Bob Andrews.
Funeral services for Barb will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at TRINITY EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 804 Grignon St., Kaukauna with Rev. Tim Wilkens officiating. Friends will be received at BOETTCHER FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 2401 Fieldcrest Dr., Kaukauna on Monday, January 13, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday directly at church from 9:30 until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, Barb requested donations be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Food Shelters, or animal shelter. www.boettcherfamilyfuneral.com
Barb's family extends their sincere and heartfelt thank you to Dr. Conkright and his staff, as well as the staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on Jan. 12, 2014
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1940 - 2014 (73 years)
Education - High School
