- Dennis E. Van De Yacht, 54, passed away unexpectedly Jan. 13, 2008, while on vacation in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. He was born March 30, 1953, in Waupaca to the late Marjorie Schultz and the late Edward Van De Yacht. Dennis was the President and co-founder of Van De Yacht & Associates Advertising Agency, Wausau. He is survived by his son Timothy, who he "loved more than all the stars in the sky." He is also survived by Christine Van De Yacht, his former wife and agency partner.
Dennis was raised in the Waupaca area, and as a youth competed as a 10K ski jumper, something his stepfather, Aubie, a ski jumper himself, loved teaching him. He graduated from Waupaca High School in 1971, and began his ties to the Wausau community attending the Trans American School of Broadcasting. Upon graduating, he moved to the Fox Valley where he became a radio announcer; aka Denny Edwards. After realizing that he may be better suited to the business side of broadcasting, he joined the sales teams of several radio stations, including WNAM and WKAU. He relocated to Green Bay in 1981, and joined Midwest Communications/WGEE Radio as General Sales Manager. Dennis had growing aspirations of owning an advertising agency. He sought to gain television industry experience and accepted a position with WLUK-TV, Green Bay. In 1986, he relocated to Wausau and was joined by Christine Miller in forming Van De Yacht & Associates Advertising Agency. In 1988, Dennis and Christine were married and enjoyed 24 years together as both life and business partners.
Dennis was a gentle man. He preferred the role of peacemaker when conflict arose. He loved to spoil the people he loved and gave freely of himself to make others happy. He worked hard to build his business but didn't live lavishly. He celebrated his success and the opportunities it provided-especially the opportunity to travel and see the world. Dennis loved the Packers and was looking forward to celebrating another Super Bowl victory.
Dennis was a loving and proud father. While his son Tim was growing up, Dennis wanted to spend as much time with him as he could, and meticulously planned annual father/son vacations to mountain ski destinations. Tim and Dennis explored many great winter resorts together until Dennis decided he was tired of being passed on the ski slopes by Tim. He decided it was time to introduce Tim to the game of golf and enrolled him in the David Ledbetter Golf Academy. Tim was hooked-and father/son golf vacations began as they shared their growing passion on the beautiful courses of Wisconsin. As Tim's golf game improved, father/son trips resumed, but were taken to warm weather golfing destinations.
Dennis loved to travel. Dennis and Christine also enjoyed many golf vacations with special friends, Joe and Ruby Wells, Jim and Jane Roloff, Marv and Jan Hollfelder, and Jerry and Cindy Tlusty. He also loved his "guy golf vacations" in Florida, North Carolina, Golf Shores, Ala., and Arizona with friends and his brothers-in-law. Dennis discovered his love of warm, tropical vacations and was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Mexico. In recent years he explored Thailand and Indonesia.
He loved his extended family, and spent wonderful summer vacations in Wisconsin's north woods with Christine's parents, brothers, and their families. He loved showing his nieces and nephews how to drive the jet boat and tube with them in tow. Many special memories were made around the campfire, picnics on Cranberry Lake Island, and exploring the area around Eagle River.
Dennis will be sadly missed by his mother- and father-in-law JoAnn and Bill Miller, Green Bay; his brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews, Dan and Cindy Miller and their children, Lauren, Alex, Katie and Brian; Steve and Maureen Miller, and their children, Sarah, Bailey, and Owen, his Godson, all of Green Bay; Patrick and Kris Miller and their children, Josh, Olivia, and Emma, Waukesha; Paul and Pam Miller, and their children Matthew and Collin, Bridgeport, Va.; Daniel Huycke, Minneapolis; David Huycke, Waupaca; Cindy Huycke-Sieg and her daughter, Lisa, Appleton; and his first wife and friend, Linda Huycke-Weigand and her son Jonathan, Tim's brother, of Appleton. He will also be greatly missed by his cousin, Diane (Schultz) Ahrens, Menasha who he thought of as his little sister, her brother, Mike, and their mother, Phyllis Schultz.
Dennis will also be missed by the agency "family" members, Kent (Deb) Perrin, Roxie (Mike) Denfeld, Mary (Tom) Kujawa, Keith (Shelly) DuPuis, and David Severson (Jenna).
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Albert Weinmann; a very special aunt and uncle, Earl and Sylvia (Schultz) Chady, and his uncle Al Schultz.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008, at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St. Wausau. JoAnn Miller, Pastorial Minister will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan, 21 and again on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of service all at the funeral home.
Many people love to golf-but Dennis LIVED to golf. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Dennis's memory to the Evans Scholarship Fund in care of the Wausau Country Club, 208 Country Club Rd. Schofield, WI 54476.
The family would like to thank all who were celebrating their vacations in Mexico with him, especially Kent Perrin, Al and Kelly Lancaster of WSAW-TV, and Scott and Paula Brainard. We take great comfort in knowing that he was living life, enjoying one last tropical vacation, and playing some great golf.
Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com.
|
1953 - 2008 (54 years)
Has 2 ancestors and 2 descendants in this family tree.
Obituary
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
Language
