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- December 20, 2005
Van Gheem, Leona J. (Janssen) Leona J. (Janssen) Van Gheem, 88, lifelong resident of Brown County, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 17, 2005 surrounded by her family following a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born September 15, 1917 to Leon and Mary (Fink) Janssen, and was raised in the Town of Hobart. On May 17, 1939, she married Leo Van Gheem at St. Boniface Church in De Pere. They farmed in the Town of Lawrence until his death in February of 1970. She continued farming until her son took over the family farm. She later worked at Burgoyne Egg Farms until she moved to De Pere in 1973. From that time until her retirement on February 4, 1995, she made many great meals for the Priests at St. Joseph Priory at St. Norbert College Campus in De Pere. Leona loved traveling and was ready to go at a moments notice. Her travels took her around the world, including trips to Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe. She was a volunteer at the Weidner Center as well as Community Theater. She had been a member of the Brown County Homemakers, Little Rapids 4-H Club, and the Christian Mothers Society of St. Boniface Church. Leona loved playing cards and games of all sorts, including trips to the casino and playing sheephead. An avid reader, she also liked to crochet, making over a hundred afghans and special gifts for her children and grandchildren at Christmas. She loved sports, especially the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers. She rarely missed watching a game. Survivors include her fours sons: Ken, Miami, FL; Gerry (Jan), Baraboo; Jim (Ida), De Pere; Keith (Debbie), Green Bay; three daughters: Mary (Richard) Strauch, Menasha; Trudie (Cliff) Strenn, Greenleaf; Tessie (Al) Micke, Greenleaf. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Mike, Holly, Tom, Jason, Annette, Steve, Jessica, Ryan, Jenny, Luke, Jamie, Jill, Brad, Craig, Justin, Emily, Stephanie, Nathan and Carmen, as well as 15 great-grandchildren, a brother-in-law, Frank Kornowski and a sister-in-law, Viola Van Gheem. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, an infant daughter, Victoria, four brothers: Bob, Joe, Ernie and John, a grandson, Aaron Van Gheem, and other brothers and sisters-in-law, most recently, Roberta Van Gheem and Beatrice Janssen. Friends may call at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, corner of Suburban Drive and Lourdes Ave,. De Pere from 9 a.m to 11 a.m. Thursday, December 22, 2005. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church with Father Tim Shillcox, O. Praem, officiating. Burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Van Gheem family. The Van Gheem family extends a special thank you to her physician, Dr. Kenneth Kubsch, the staff at Harbor Village and Unity Hospice for their care and concern.
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1917 - 2005 (88 years)
