 | Leon "Lee" Van Boxtel May 16, 1939 - May 6, 2025
Leon M. “Lee” Van Boxtel, Little Chute, age 85, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. He was born in Little Chute on May 16, 1939, to the late Norbert and Hildegard (Roemer) Van Boxtel. Lee married Clare Hietpas on September 12, 1959 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church. He began his career at Appleton Papers before moving to Crystal Print, where he retired after 43 years of service. Lee loved all sports, spending many years coaching football and officiating basketball and was the proud recipient of the Bud Kohn 110% Award. He cherished his family and loved attending the school and sporting events of his grandchildren. Together, Lee and Clare met regularly with their friends to play cards. They enjoyed those friendships and always had great fun with them.
Above all, Lee treasured Clare. His adoration for her was evident in all he did.
Lee is survived by his wife of 65 years, Clare; children: Lisa (Ken) Schiller of Little Chute; Ann Vanden Heuvel of Appleton; and Lee (Kari) Van Boxtel of Little Chute; grandchildren: Mike (Jess) Schiller and Eric Schiller; Ryan (special friend Heidi) Vanden Heuvel, Tanner (Abbie) Vanden Heuvel, and Kendall (Mike) Adrian; Abbey (Kevin) VandenBush, Jake (Erin) Van Boxtel, and Tyler (Amanda) Van Boxtel; and great grandchildren: Brock, Tyce, and Kensington Vanden Heuvel; Piper and Arlo Vanden Heuvel; Brandt, Berkley, and Boe Adrian; Tucker VandenBush; Hallie, Clay and twins, Lennon and Kip, Van Boxtel; twins, Koa and Tate Van Boxtel; and Grayson and Anna Schiller. He is further survived by his brother: Dan Van Boxtel; and brothers and sisters-in-law: Luke (Rosie) Hietpas, Sheila (Clyde) Schepp, Mark Hietpas, Tom (Sheila) Hietpas, and Russ Harmon; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
In addition to his parents, Lee was preceded in death by his sons, Tommy and Scott “Butter”; sister, Marlene (Dave) Brueggeman; father and mother-in-law, John and Elizabeth (Vanden Heuvel) Hietpas; sisters-in-law: Germaine Van Boxtel and Evelyn “Molle” Hietpas; and Clare’s siblings: Don (Dorothy) Hietpas, Joyce (Emmett) McMorrow, June (Bob) Stuyvenberg, Helen Harmon, Claude (Lois) Hietpas, John (Shirley) Hietpas, Margaret (Carl) Peeters, Mike (Jo) Hietpas, and Matthew Hietpas.
Visitation will be held Saturday, May 10, 2025 at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute) from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. His Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Ronald Belitz officiating. A private committal at St. John Cemetery will occur at a later date. |
1939 - 2025 (85 years)
