 | Obituary
Little Chute - Mary Lou Peerenboom, age 92, passed away on Christmas Day, surrounded by her beloved family. She was born September 19, 1930, in Appleton, to the late Margaret (Kraft) and Emmett Brown.
Mary Lou graduated from St. John High School in 1948. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert J. Peerenboom, on November 29, 1952. They enjoyed 46 years of wedded bliss, until he preceded her in death (d. 11/17/98). While raising five children she attended UW-Oshkosh where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees. During a 25-year teaching career in the Little Chute School District (1967-1993) she taught several thousand students in various grades.
Mom and Dad started many family traditions which have lasted nearly 50 years. Our favorites being family dinners every Sunday, and celebrating Christmas Eve, so we were able visit our in-laws on Christmas Day. They bought a cottage on a small lake in 1973 that still serves as our family's favorite gathering spot.
She was a fan of many sports and especially enjoyed going to Packer games. She also cheered for Notre Dame, her father's favorite team, as it would be for any good Irish man. Mom would get on numerous pools and track the results for her and her friends.
Mom and dad loved to travel. They really enjoyed the shores of the Great Lakes, the annual gatherings with Rob's family at one of their cottages, and autumn rides to view the fall colors. After their retirement, they enjoyed taking bus tours to countless state and national parks. A favorite trip was going to Superbowl XXXII in San Diego. Mom regularly attended grandkids' events and participated in many other activities she loved.
Mary Lou joined various leagues for volleyball, bowling and golf with her friends. She loved meeting up with friends for lunches and game days. Some of these groups included the wives from the Little Shooters (deer hunters) club, St. Joe's Food Pantry volunteers, LC teachers, St. John classmates, Power Company co-workers.
She is survived by her children: Robbie (Gary) Meyer, Nancy (Gino) Frassetto, Dan (Lynn) Peerenboom, Donna (Don) Phelan, and Bill (Jackie) Peerenboom; grandchildren: Megan Laws, Angie (Tom) Brockman, Kenny (Carrie) Meyer, Jana (Jeff) Thompson, Cody Peerenboom, Kelly Peerenboom (Ben Grams), Laura & Kevin Phelan, Jill (Marco) Tellez, Katy & Emily Peerenboom; great grandchildren: Lily, Ella & Ryan Brockman, Sam & Hannah Meyer, Andrew, Logan & Jo Jo Thompson, and Viviana Tellez; sisters-in-law: Rosemary Medd and Betty Peerenboom. She is further survived by many extended family members and long-time friends that she made over her many years.
In addition to her parents and husband, Robert, Mary Lou was preceded in death by her grandchildren: Lucas Peerenboom, Alena Frassetto, and Andrew Meyer; sister, Joanie Schultz; Godson, Scott Schultz; In-laws: John and Mary (Hermsen) Peerenboom (parents), Tom (Red) Schultz, Pete Medd, Joan & Clyde Koehn, Joe & Betty Peerenboom, and Jim “Quack” Peerenboom. She was also preceded in death by other extended family and friends.
Mom, you were such an inspiration to us. You were our role-model, showing us how to be loving, strong, compassionate, empathetic and generous. You welcomed each in-law into our family and that gift was appreciated by all. We really cannot say enough good things about you. We love you and will miss you so much!
Grandma, everyone says their Gramma is ‘the best’, but they clearly have never met ours. She always made an effort to make each one of us feel special and loved us all for our unique personalities. We are lucky to have decades of memories with her and the family her and Grampa Boomie started. We love you.
P.S. We all know who the favorite was (insert our own name)!
Great Gram, not many kids are lucky enough to have a great grandparent, and none were as blessed as the Boomie great grands. We had the best great gram around! We love you, Great Gram!
We'd like to give a big shout-out to her many friends, because you added so much joy to mom's life and she loved each of you.
Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, December 30, 2022, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute, with Fr. Ron Belitz officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A celebration will continue after the service at Village Limits, 1721 E. Main Street, Little Chute, from noon until 3:00 p.m. If you are unable to make the service, please feel free to join us at the celebration. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established and distributed to Mary Lou’s favorite charities. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.
The Peerenboom family would like to express a special thank you to Brieanna, PA-C at Ascension, for mom's care over the years and nurse Ellen, RN at Moments Hospice, for the instant connection and compassion shown during mom's final days. |
1930 - 2022 (92 years)
