| Notes |
- June 4, 2006
Derks, Karen Karen Derks, age 56, passed away peacefully at home Thursday, June 1, 2006, surrounded by family and friends. She was born in Appleton on July 30, 1949, to Marvin H. and Germaine (VanGompel) Smith. Karen married John Derks on February 23, 1974. She was a devoted wife and mother. Karen lived and walked her deep faith in God. She was very active in her church and community, she originated Holy Angels Preschool Bible Time, the Parish Picnic (Silent Auction) and organized and remained coordinator of the Holy Angels/Holy Spirit Scrip program. Karen loved her early morning walks with friends, pilates, her flower gardens and was always available for anyone who needed a helping hand. Throughout her life Karen also ran two businesses of her own: The Sunspot tanning salon for 10 years and a cleaning service for 15 years.
Karen is survived by her husband, John Derks; her sons: Jason (Sheri) Derks of Neenah; Greg Derks (special friend Jessi) of Appleton; and Jeff Derks of Darboy; her father, Marvin Smith; brothers, James (Debbie) Smith, and Ronald (Mimi) Smith; and sisters: Patricia (Joseph) Brinsko, Barbara (Michael) Dercks, and Jayne (Mark) Ziegler, mother- in-law, Angela Derks; sisters and brothers-in-law, Trudy (Dave) Gritton, Pat (Jerry) Ozburn, Mary Sprangers, and Kim DeLeeuw.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Germaine Smith; a special aunt, Leone VanGompel, a father-in-law, John Derks Sr.; sister-in-law, Rose DeLeeuw, and brother-in-law, George Sprangers.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 5, 2006, at Holy Angels Catholic Church, Darboy; with Father Tom Pomeroy officiating, co-celebrant Father Willie Vandeloo and Deacon Paul Grimm. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, June 4, 2006, at Valley Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. until the time of mass at the church.
Karen's family would like to extend a special thank you to Homecare Hospice, especially her nurse Ellen and Dr. William and Jane Guenther and to Carol Boots for her Healing Touch. They also want to thank Karen's closest friends, Sheila DeValk and Joyce Wittmann for the loving care and support they provided.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy a memorial fund is being established.
Valley Funeral Home
2211 N. Richmond Street
920-733-5435
www.valleyfh.com
*Serving as would be Served*
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1949 - 2006 (56 years)
