Paul — Dvorah Richman. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Graduation: 1935, Kaukauna High School

Notes:

Leo Driessen,

Age 96, died peacefully on February 15, 2014. He was surrounded by family and close friends, in the Kaukauna, Wisconsin home where he was born, grew up and resided his entire life, except during his Army service in the Pacific during World War II.

Born May 17, 1917 to Edward G. and Lucy King Driessen, he graduated from Kaukauna High School and in 1946 married Frances Hopfensperger Driessen of Appleton. He was preceded in death by Frances, his son Christopher, and his siblings Everett (Julia), Quentin (Helen), Lozelle (Jule) Schommer, Margaret (Ronald "Tip") Reetz, Robert (Marion), Norbert "Nub" (Ann) and Floyd (Marian).

He is survived by his daughters Jane and Andrea, son Paul (Dvorah Richman) and their children Ari (Sarah) and Amy, son Joseph (Karen) and their children Elizabeth (Anthony) Dabruzzi and Allison, and brother-in-law Joseph (Wendy) Hopfensperger.

Leo eagerly embraced life and all the opportunities and challenges it offered, accepted difficulties and painful losses, and epitomized his belief that people don't stop playing, working and learning because they get old; they get old because they stop playing, working and learning.

He was a true Renaissance man, who was self-taught and never stopped learning, through voracious reading and constant activities (though he mostly left email and the internet to his descendants). He renovated his residence, became an expert gardener and soup maker, and was renowned as a wood carver and artisan whose stunning works are displayed in churches, homes and businesses throughout Wisconsin and beyond. He remained active in all these endeavors until well into his 95th year.

Honorably discharged after three years in the Pacific, Leo later joined the Army Reserves, retiring in 1967 as a Command Sergeant Major. He participated in the Honor Flight to the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC in 2010.

Following his retirement as district manager for the Wisconsin Gas Company (now WE Energy), he and Marvin Schumacher recruited other talented retirees to build Kaukauna's new Chamber of Commerce building. Leo also raised funds for the city's Performing Arts Center, Friends and Family sculpture gardens, and high school Galloping Ghost statue. He and his friend Oscar Boldt were founding members of the Fox Valley Community Foundation, and Leo helped to establish the Kaukauna Industrial Park and encourage companies to locate to it. In his spare time, he pursued his newfound love of opera, remained active in Rotary International for 45 years, served on the Kaukauna school and hospital boards, and loved to convey his passions and skills to his children and grandchildren.

The Driessen family offers its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jack Meyer for his many years as Leo's physician and friend, and to Bright Star Home Care, whose loving care allowed Leo to remain in his home for the last eight months of his life, especially Carol Brauer and aides Michelle, Ida, Diane and Shantal. We are also very grateful to massage therapist Meighan Laubenstein, and to Affinity Visiting Nurses and Hospice for all their help, particularly Shelly, Tracy, Barbie, Cass and their other staff and volunteers, during Leo's last months. Finally, we offer our deepest thanks to Leo's dear friends Tom Nelson and Patriot Guard Riders Senior Ride Captain Michael Weaver for their steadfast presence, help and support.

Memorial services will be held at 6:00 PM on Friday, February 21, 2014 at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer Street in Kaukauna. A reception will follow. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the church on Friday afternoon, beginning at 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are being established in Leo's name.

Online condolences may be offered at www.wichmannfargo.com

Leo married Frances J Hopfensperger 16 Feb 1946, Sacred Heart Church, Appleton, Wisconsin. Frances (daughter of Joseph John Hopfensperger and Anna Eleanora Pauline Bendixen) was born 12 Jun 1921, Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin; died 07 Jun 2004, Kaukauna, Outagamie, Wisconsin; was buried , Holy Cross Cemetery, Kaukauna, Wisconsin. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Age 82, passed away at her home on Monday, June 7, 2004. Fran was born in Appleton on June 12, 1921, daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Bendixen) Hopfensperger. She attended Appleton High School, and graduated in 1931. She married Leo Driessen on February 16, 1946 at Sacred Hearth Catholic Church in Appleton; Leo survives. As a young woman, Fran worked in the accounting department at Kimberly Clark, but many will recall that she worked part time as a tailoring instructor at FCTI in Appleton for over twenty years. In addition to her wonderful sewing skills, Fran also enjoyed working crossword puzzles, was an avid bridge player, and was a member of the American Bridge League. She and Leo traveled extensively, and Fran always held fond memories of the couple’s trip to France. Over the years, Fran was very involved in the affairs of the church, and had donated countless hours of her time to various committees and organizations. Fran also had the reputation of making the very best homemade toffee around – only a few were privileged to have her special recipe.

Fran is survived by her husband of fifty-eight years: Leo Driessen of Kaukauna; two daughters: Jane Driessen of St. Paul, Minnesota and Andrea Driessen of Seattle, Washington; two sons: Paul (Dvorah) Driessen of Fairfax, Virginia and their children Ari and Amy, and Joe (Karen) Driessen of Apple Valley, Minnesota and their daughters Elizabeth and Allison; a brother: Joseph (Wendy) Hopfensperger of Appleton; a brother-in-law: Jule Schommer; three sisters-in-law: Ann Driessen, Marion Driessen, and Marion Driessen. Fran was preceded in death by her parents, a son Christopher, brothers Clarence, Edward, and Robert; sisters Barbara, Agnes, Marion, and Gertrude; brothers-in-law Everett, Quentin, Robert, Norbert, and Floyd; and sisters-in-law Margaret and Lozelle.

A memorial funeral liturgy for Fran will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 11, 2004 at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer Street in Kaukauna with Fr. Jack Mullarkey officiating. Inurnment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Friday from 9:00 AM until the hour of the service. A memorial fund in Fran’s name has been established.

FARGO FUNERAL HOME 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue Kaukauna, Wisconsin 54130 920-766-6200

Notes:

EDWARD G. DREISSEN, the proprietor of one of Kaukauna's leading meat markets, and a self-made business man, was born in Buchanan township, Outagamie county, Wisconsin, October 20, 1876, and is a son of John and Mary (Tillman) Dreissen, natives of Holland. Mr. Dreissen's parents came to the United States in 1851, and, taking up wild land, engaged in farming. John Dreissen is now residing in Woodville township, his farm being located on the township line. He and his wife had a family of eleven children, of whom ten are now living. Edward G. Dreissen received a country school education, and in 1892 started to work in a butcher shop at Kaukauna, and during the following year opened an establishment of his own. He has continued in the same business to the present time, and now has a well-ordered establishment, catering to some of Kaukauna's best trade. On November 9, 1898, Mr. Dreissen was united in marriage with Miss Henrietta Wheaton, of Kaukauna, who died November 19, 1905, and on April 9, 1907, he married (second) Lucy King, of Hilbert, Wisconsin. Mr. Dreissen has four children: Everett, Quintem, Lozell and Margaret. He and Mrs. Dreissen are faithful members of the Holy Cross congregation of the Catholic Church, and he holds membership in the Knights of Columbus.

Edward married Lucia King 09 Apr 1907, Hilbert, Calumet Co, Wisconsin. Lucia (daughter of James Peter King and Margaret Molitor) was born 09 Mar 1880, Elkhart Lake, Sheboygan Co, Wisconsin; died 03 Jun 1973, Kaukauna, Outagamie, Wisconsin; was buried , Holy Cross Cemetery, Kaukauna, Wisconsin. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

SOURCE: APPLETON POST CRESCENT OBITUARY
Monday, January 27, 1941
VETERAN CATTLE BUYER IS DEAD
J. J. Hopfensperger Sr., 58, Dies Sunday, Funeral Wednesday

Joseph J. Hopfensperger Sr., 58, 518 E. Lincolin St., died at his home at 4 o'clock Sunday morning after a 3 month illness. He was born in Kaukauna July 19, 1882, and lived in Appleton the last 36 years. Mr. Hopfensperger, cattle buyer for many years was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Holy Name Society, Catholic Order of Foresters, Sacred Heart Society, Eagles and the Meat Cutters union.

Surviving are the widow; his mother, Mrs. William Hopfensperger, Appleton; three daughters, Sister Mary Anne O.S.M., Wierton, West Virginia; Mrs. Arthur Seibold, Wisconsin Rapids; Miss Frances Hopfensperger, Appleton; three sons, Clarence, Edward, Joseph Jr., Appleton; eight brothers, William, Stradford, Wis.; Peter, Junction City, Wis.; Frank, Abbotsford, Wis.; Herman, Alex, Harry, Raymond, Eugene, Appleton; four sisters, Mrs. Helen Zimmerman, Oshkosh; Mrs. Arthur Cevene, Fond du Lac; Mrs. Albert Schmidt, Green Bay; Mrs. Anna Sullivan, Appleton; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning at Sacred Heart Church by the Rev. F. L. Russmann, the cortege forming at 8:30 at Wichmann Funeral Home. Burial will be in Holy Angels Cemetery, Darboy. The body may be viewed after 7 o'clock this evening at the funeral home where the rosary will be recited at 7:30 and 8:15 tonight and 7:30 and 8 o'clock Tuesday evening.

Joseph married Anna Eleanora Pauline Bendixen 27 Jul 1903, Price County, Wisconsin. Anna (daughter of William Julius Bendixen and Maria Kristine Peterson) was born 25 Mar 1885, Waupaca, Waupaca Co, Wisconsin; died 04 Jun 1967; was buried , Holy Angels Cemetery, Darboy, Wisconsin. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Source: Appleton Post Crescent Obituary
Monday, June 5, 1967

Mrs. Anna Hopfensperger
[Anna Bendixan]
1600 S. Connell St.

Age 82, the widow of the late Joseph Hopfensperger passed away at 12 noon Sunday after a long illness. She was born March 25, 1885 in Waupaca and had benn a lifelong resident of Appleton. She was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters; the Christian Mothers Society, Sacred Heart Catholic Church; the Auxiliary of the Catholic War Veterans.

Mrs. Hopfensperger is survived by three daughters; Sister Mary Ann O.S. M., Ladysmith, Wisconsin; Mrs. Barbara Seibold, Boulder, Colorado; Mrs. Leo Driessen, Kaukauna; two sons; Edward and Joseph, both of Appleton; two sisters; Anton Halmstad, Catawba, Wisconsin; Mrs. Emma Groseth, Eau Claire; ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

One son, Clarence, preceded her in death in 1964.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Catholic Church with the Rev. Orville Jansen officiating. Burial will be in the Holy Angels Cemetery, Darboy. Friends may call at the Ellenbecker-Brown Funeral Home after 3 p.m. Tuesday. Rosary will be prayed at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established.