| Notes |
- My grandpa was taught to drive at an early age. One day, when he was thirteen years old, he decided to take his younger brother Jim and his younger sister Joyce for a drive in his parent's car. The police pulled them over and asked how old they were. Grandpa Tom started to cry and he told them he was thirteen years old. The police had to take them to the police station, which was also the jail. Grandpa Tom had to call home to his parents and have them come get Tom, Ji and Joyce. By this time they were all crying.
Rob Reynebeau 2006
My grandpa, Tom De Bruin, was born June 10, 1931. After graduating from Little Chute
High School, he worked as a meat cutter and sausage maker at Hopfensperger Brothers Meat.
During the Korean War, he joined the United States Coast Guard and worked in the personnel
office where he took care of transfers and other paperwork. Three years later, he was
discharged and began his successful banking career. On May 25, 1961, he married Carol De
Bruin at Holy Cross Church in Kaukauna. They then settled in Little Chute and started their
family; having four children. The oldest, Deb, was born on April 30, 1962, then they had a son,
Frank, on February 19, 1964, and finally a set oftwins, Timothy and Terri, on January 17, 1965.
In March 1955, he was hired by the National Manufacturers Bank of Neenah. My
grandpa worked there until August 15, 1956, at which time he took a job as a teller and
bookkeeper at the Bank of Little Chute. To help him with his career, he attended a banking
school in Madison for two summers. little did he know that he would spend the next 38 years
at the same place of employment. After receiving several promotions throughout the years, he
became President of the bank in 1982. My grandpa remained in this position until his
retirement in 1994.
Besides being dedicated to his banking career, he also had a love for music. My grandpa
began to play the saxophone at the age of 12, at which time he joined the Little Chute
Community Band. He remained a member for 57 years. He also belonged to several other
bands including the Kenny Schmaltz Polka Band and the Green Bay Packer Band. My grandpa
liked to joke with people telling them he played for the Green Bay Packers. When they asked
what position he played, he would proudly reply "Saxophone." Playing accordion was another
instrument he enjoyed. He often entertained family and friends as they sat and sang around
the campfire. The most popular request was for him to perform liThe laughing Polka."
During his retirement years, he enjoyed doing woodworking as a hobby. He kept very
busy, especially during the holidays, making many popular Christmas decorations such as large
Santa Claus cutouts and greeting signs. In addition, my grandpa also made wood dogs, along
with their little puppies, and fun, lasting games.
In December 2000, my grandpa was diagnosed with acute leukemia. He fought the
illness for several months until he passed away on March 23, 2001.
Troy De Bruin, 2010
My grandpa was born in June 10, 1931. He was the son of Frank and Agnes De Bruin. He was baptized at St. John's church in Little Chute. Well now, I don't know much about him but I know plenty to write about him. He married my grandma, Carol. They had four kids. My mom, Deb, Frank, Tim and Terri (they are twins). Also when I heard the story of my sister and my grandpa I thought he was already an angel that we all could see, because when my sister tried things with my mom she would fail but when she went with my grandpa she succeeded. I just wish he was still alive because I want to talk to him to see if all the stories are true.
After high school my grandpa went to work for a meat cutting factory, called Hopfensperger's. Then he was called to serve in the coast guard during the Korean War. After that he worked at the First National Bank in Neenah for a short time. He joined the Little Chute Bank in 1956. He began as a teller. He worked his way up to president and that was in 1980. He retired after 38 years, in 1994.
My grandpa also wanted everyone to play an instrument because he said if you play an instrument you feel a lot better and will get rid of all the stress that you had inside of you. My grandpa played the saxophone, clarinet, piano and little bit of the violin. He began playing when he was 13. We say that he played for the Green Bay Packers. Which he didn't really play, but he played in the band for the Packers. He loved everyone and everything. And when he died I was one year old. He died on March 23, 2001.
Mary Hammen, 2011
- SOURCE: APPLETON POST CRESCENT OBITUARY
Saturday, March 24, 2001
Thomas R. De Bruin
1302 E. Lincoln Ave.
Little Chute
Age 69, began his eternal life on Friday, March 23, 2001 as a result of acute leukemia. He was born June 10, 1931, in Little Chute, son of Frank and Agnes [Vandenberg] De Bruin. Tom married Carol Van Zeeland on May 25, 1961 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Kaukauna. He was a lifetime member of St. John Catholic Church. Tom was employed by the Bank of Little Chute for 38 years and retired after serving as president from 1980 to 1994. He served on the Board of Directors from 1970 to the present. Tom enjoyed performing in the Little Chute Community Band, of which he was a member for 56 years. He was also a member of the American Legion Jacob Coppus Post 258, Little Chute, and served in the Coast Guard during the Korean War. Tom was best known for his fun loving personality and endless supply of jokes. He chershed the time he spent with his family, friends and especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; four children, Deb [Keith] Hammen, Little Chute; Frank [Rachelle] De Bruin, De Pere; Tim [Lisa] De Bruin, Little Chute; Terri [Dan] Reyneabeau, Little Chute; 14 grandchildren; Jill, Kevin, Mike, Kate, Willy and Mary Hammen; expectant baby to Frank and Rachelle; Tiffany, Jodi, Steffany and Troy De Bruin; Kari, Ryan, Melissa and Rob Reyneabeau; a brother Jim [Delores] De Bruin, Little Chute; two sisters, Betty Peerenboom, Appleton; Joyce Bouressa, Kaukauna; three sisters in-law, Joan Voet, Kaukauna; Mary [Tom] Kalupa, Kaukauna; Margaret [Bob] Bucchei, De Pere; two brothers in-law, Bernie [Bonnie] Van Zeeland, Kaukauna; Ed [Patty] Van Zeeland, Kaukauna; step brother in-law, William [Ruth] Theums, Wrightstown; step sister in-law, Marlene [Jim] Coenen, Wrightstown; a special aunt and uncle, Merly and Jayne Vandenberg, Kaukauna.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Betty, father in-law and mother in-law, Bernard and Catherine Van Zeeland, step mother in-law, Christina 'Teenie' Van Zeeland and three brothers in law, Don Bouressa, Joe Peerenboom and Dan Vort.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday March 26, 2001 at St John Catholic Church, Little Chute with the Rev. Msgr. James Vanden Hogen officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call at the Verkuilen Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday with a prayer service at 6 p.m. and a veterans service at 6:30 p.m. A visitation will also be held Monday at the funeral home from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Military rites will follow the Mass by the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258.
|
1931 - 2001 (69 years)
