| Notes |
- Robert H. "Bob" Driessen, Little Chute, age 79, died Saturday September 1, 2012 at Cherry Meadows Hospice. He was born in Little Chute on September 3, 1932 to the late Henry and Theresa (Van Elzen) Driessen. Bob was a lifelong member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church and a graduate of St. John High School. He was an Air Force veteran and a member of the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258, Little Chute. Bob married Rita Vanden Burgt on June 22, 1954 at St. John's. He retired from the Combined Locks Paper Company (Appleton Papers) after 40 years of service. Bob belonged to Fox Valley Golf Course, The Lox Mill Quarter Century Club and the Skulls.
Dad was a kind and caring man who filled his life with love and happiness. He and mom cherished their time spent with family and friends at home, and at their cottage in Silver Cliff. Together Dad and Mom enjoyed attending the many sporting events and activities of both their children and grandchildren. When at home, Dad could often be found tinkering in his garage and yard, or creating something in his basement workshop. He crafted beautiful furniture, fun little lawn ornaments and many birdhouses and bird feeders. All were generously shared with his daughters, friends and numerous charities. Dad had his special spot in the house and up north from which he could watch the birds he so loved. They flocked to his birdhouses and the numerous feeders he attentively filled. Dad's other loves included daily visits to the library, reading, watching movies and playing games on his computer.
Bob is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rita;
Daughters: Lu Ann Driessen (Scott Harris), Helena MT, and their children Ryan (fiancee Sara), Rachel, Jess and his children Cade and Jace, Cody (Geoff) and their children Madi and Myles.
Linda (Steve) Bons, Little Chute, and their children Dr. Becky (special friend Mike), Joe, Amy (fiance Taylor) and Sally (special friend Zach).
Donna (Stan) Schaffer, Little Chute, and their children Brianna & Courtney.
Ellen (Tom) Teske, West De Pere, and their children Katilyn, Haley, Jacob and Olivia.
He is further survived by his siblings: Bernice (Lew) Bain, Ron (Joanne) Driessen and Sharon (Bruce) Vande Hey; brothers and sisters-in-law: Robert "Bob" (Connie) Vanden Burgt and Mary Ellen "Babe" (Doc) Kloes; Godchildren: Sherry Smith, Jennifer Vanden Burgt, Lori Kalupa and Ken Kloes; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his infant daughters Mary and Jill; his parents Henry and Theresa Driessen; and father and mother-in-law John and Ruth Vanden Burgt.
Visitation will be held Wednesday September 5, 2012 at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (323 S. Pine St. Little Chute) beginning at 2:00 p.m. until time of Mass at 5:00 p.m. The Rev. Ronald Belitz will officiate. Military rites conducted by the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258 will immediately follow. Committal St. John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established. To sign the guest book please visit oconnellfh.com.
The family would like to thank his wonderful caregivers at Cherry Meadows. Your kindness and compassion will always be remembered. A sincere thank you also to the doctors and nurses, especially Dr. Swanson, Dr. Mortara and Dr. Marcoe.
"Say Good Night Bob"
- Grandpa Driessen
He was born September 3, 1932 at home. He has two sisters Bernice and
Sharon and one brother Ronald. They are all living. Grandpa graduated from St.
John High School in 1950. He married Rita Ardina Vandenburgt on June 22,
1954. My grandpa worked at Appleton Papers Combined Locks Mill.
When my Grandpa Driessen was nine years old, he was playing football
with his friends in his backyard, when one of his friends tackled him and broke his
hip. He was taken to Saint Elizabeth's Hospital where he had surgery. They
placed a metal pin in the hip bone to keep it together. While in recovery he was
the first person in the area to receive penicillin. He even had his picture in the
paper because of that. When he was 21 years old he felt something sticking out of
his hip. My grandma took him to the doctor and they decided they needed to do
surgery on his hip. They found that the metal pin was coming loose and started
poking out of him. They removed it and fused his hip together. That is why he
walks with a limp. Grandma still has the metal pin they removed from grandpa.
Courtney Schaffer, 2010
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1932 - 2012 (79 years)
