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- My grandma's name is Germaine Alexia Heimmermann. She was born November 28, 1935. She had a half-brother and half-sister, who were older and a younger sister and two younger brothers. She gre up around Appleton on a little farm. They had a few chickens and a big garden. When my grandma was little, she had to help take care of the chickens, and she spent a lot of time in the garden. She loved picking the berries. When she got older they moved into the city. My grandma went to St. Therese grade school, and Appleton High School, which is now Appleton West. She wanted to go to college, but her mom wouldn't let her because she needed her to help around the house. After she graduated from high school, she got a job as a secretary at Kimberly Clark. Soon she met my grandpa, Daniel Van Boxtel. They met at a dance at a place called the Cinderella Ballroom on Richmond Street. After dating for eight months they got engaged. They were married on October 3, 1956. My grandma quit her job after she had her first baby. They had seven children all together. She stayed home to take care of her kids. She also did a lot of cooking, cleaning, and gardening. She had a lot of volunteering jobs, too. She was an aide at St. Johns, she worked for the community blood center, and she worked for the village by helping with voting during elections. She was very smart and she could answer any question on Jeopardy. She also liked walking, and going to her cottage on Perch Lake in Langlade County. She had a happy life until she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the age of 65. She is now 71. She cannot do most of the things she used to do. My grandpa takes very good care of her, and we visit her a lot. Although it's sad seeing her so sick, we try to remember the way she was before.
Madelyn Robinson, 2007
Germaine Alexia Heimmermann was born on November 28, 1935 by her parents Joseph and Genevieve Heimmermann (Werner). She had a half-brother and half-sister older than her, a younger sister, and two younger brothers. Germaine and her family lived on a little farm in Appleton with few chickens and a big garden. Her main chore was caring for the chickens in the henhouse, and picking the berries and watering the garden.
When Germaine got older, they moved to the city. She attended Appleton West High School. Germaine dreamed of going to college, but her mother refused to let her go because she needed to help around the house. When she graduated, she got a job at Kimberly Clark. After a couple years of employment there, Germaine met Daniel Van Boxtel, and they immediately fell in love. Eight months went by, and finally Dan asked Germaine to be his wife. After they had their first child, Germaine quit her job. Six more children would follow. Their names are: Diane, Laurie, Steve, Mary, Becky, Julie, and Todd. She was then a stay-at-home mom because she had to clothe and feed the kids.
Germaine did much volunteer work at many places. She was an aide at St. John Nepomucene School, she worked at the Community Blood Center, and when there was an election, she would help assemble the voting booths in the village.
Germaine was a very active person during her middle ages. But one day at the age of 65, she was diagnosed with a horrible disease called Alzheimer's. She suffered for 10 years, and every year it was becoming worse and worse. Germaine passed away on August 4, 2010 of that disease. She was a very kind and friendly person, and loved to see us laugh and dance. It was sad to see her leave earth, but we know she is much happier and healthier in heaven, and she is always shining upon us.
One great memory I have about my Grandma Germaine happened on my 4th birthday. Grandma and Grandpa came over for my party. There were a bunch of balloons lying all over the floor. At that time, my Grandma was starting to show signs of her disease, but it wasn't bad. Everyone was sitting and talking, and then I threw a balloon at Grandma, and she threw it back at me! Then we all started throwing balloons at each other. We did this for about 15 minutes straight! It was a really fun time and a great memory.
Juliana VanBoxtel, 2012
- Germaine Van Boxtel, Little Chute, age 74, passed away at home on Wednesday, August 4, 2010, after a lengthy battle with Lewy Body Disease. She was born in Appleton, WI, on November 28, 1935, to Joseph Heimmermann, Sr. and Genevieve (Werner) Heimmermann. She attended Appleton High School, graduating in 1953. After graduation, she worked in the steno pool at Kimberly Clark. On June 30, 1955, Germaine met the love of her life, Daniel Van Boxtel, at the Cinderella Ballroom. They were married on October 3, 1956, and settled down in Little Chute, WI.
After the birth of her first child, she became a stay-at-home mom during which time she was an active volunteer for organizations such as the Community Blood Center, Riverview Sanitorium, and St. John Nepomucene Parish and School to name a few. She was a member of the St. Elizabeth Society. Germaine was great at doing crossword puzzles and playing trivia games, especially Jeopardy. She excelled at knitting and sewing. She loved to walk, play with her grandchildren, and spend time at the cottage that she and Dan built on Perch Lake near Elcho, WI.
Germaine is survived by her husband of nearly 54 years, Dan; seven children: Diane (Jay) Williamson, Laurie (Keith) Wyngaard, Steve (Kathy) Van Boxtel, Mary Van Boxtel, Becky (Randy) Hoffman, Julie (John) Robinson and Todd (Debby) Van Boxtel. Grandchildren include Haley and Daniel Williamson, Frank Reimer, Amy (Kyle) McMahon, Ashely (Francisco) Sauceda, Stephanie (Ross) Weyers, Rick Wyngaard, Ben (Althea), Sarah and Kate Van Boxtel, Rachel and Sam Hoffman, Emily, Madelyn, Hannah and Drew Robinson, Sophie De Bruin, Juliana, Lucy and Ava Van Boxtel. Great grandchildren include Ezra Van Boxtel, Landon McMahon and Baby Sauceda, due in September. She is further survived by brothers and sisters: Joseph (Mert) Heimmermann, Georgine Gengler, Eunice (Ves) Vanden Hogen, Carl Heimmermann, David (Ruby) Heimmermann; brothers and sisters-in-law: Leon (Clare) Van Boxtel and Marlene (Dave) Brueggeman; and special family friend, Mary Jo Derenne.
She was preceded in death by her parents, mother and father-in-law Norbert and Hilda (Roemer) Van Boxtel; brother-in-law Lawrence Gengler; sister-in-law Lucy Heimmermann; godchildren Thomas Lee Van Boxtel and Scott Van Boxtel.
Visitation will be held Friday August 6, 2010, beginning at 2 p.m. until time of Mass at 5 p.m. at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (323 S. Pine St. Little Chute). Committal St. John Cemetery. A memorial is being established for the St. John Food Pantry. For on-line condolences, please visit www.oconnellfh.com.
The family would like to thank Unity Hospice, Fr. Jim Vanden Hogen and all of the friends and family who offered support through visits, meals and prayers.
O'CONNELL
FUNERAL HOME
201 E. Main Street
Little Chute 920-788-6237
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1935 - 2010 (74 years)
