Craanen, Genevieve

Genevieve "Gen" Craanen, 89, Bay Settlement, passed away Tuesday evening, August 6, 2013, with her family by her side. Gen was born October 6, 1923, in New Franken, the youngest child of Joseph and Alice (Vincent) Brunner. On June 6, 1945, Genevieve married Donald J. Craanen at St. Kilian Catholic Church in New Franken. Gen and Donald farmed in Bay Settlement all their working lives. Gen enjoyed watching the birds, especially her morning visits by the hummingbirds and orioles. She loved gardening, tending to her flower beds and making sure all went home with fresh vegetables from the garden. Gen's faith guided her in her daily life as she regularly prayed the rosary. Gen bowled for many years, well into her 80's. She volunteered for years at parish funerals and was known for her canned pickles. She loved spending time with her family--her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the center of her life. She insisted that all the holiday get-togethers be at home. She was a great cook and baker--no one ever left her home hungry.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Linda and Dave Beyer, Roger and Jeanne Craanen, Shirley Craanen and Diane Miller, Tim Craanen and Pam Naze, Julie and Rick Paye; her grandchildren and their spouses, Angela and Brett Baker and their son, Silas; Stephanie Beyer and her children, Damian Jr. and Alannah; Matthew Beyer; Nicholas and Diane Craanen and their sons, Zachary and Tyler; Kristina and Mitchell Gauthier and their children, Ava, Landon, Brock and Kyan; Jacob Craanen and Hannah Sutrick; Brandon Paye and Amy Koenig; Taylor Paye; Brianna Paye; Jennifer Naze; sisters-in-law, Isabella Brunner, Pearl Brunner, Rita Strebel and Dorothy Malczewski; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Herbert and Lucille Craanen, Clayton and Ardella Craanen; step-sisters-in-law, Grace Allen, Geraldine Vanden Houten and Colette Wertel; nieces and nephews; cousins and the families of Carol and the late Bernard Herman and the late Art and Lou Nooyen.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald J. Craanen; a son, Brother Robert J. Craanen O. Praem; her parents, Joseph and Alice (Vincent) Brunner; step-father, Antone Allen; sisters and brothers-in-law, Adelle and William Burkart, Mayme and Edmund Schauer; brothers, Walter Brunner and Clemens Brunner; brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law, Ralph Strebel and Milton and Marilyn Craanen; step-sisters, step-brothers and their spouses, Myrtle and Allen Kuechenbecker, Mable and Alex Goral, Elsie and Dick Finnel, Alice and Henry Tilkens, Lawrence Vanden Houten, Henry and Hilda Allen, Bernard and Mildred Allen, Alvin and Alice Allen and Sylvester Allen.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St. There will be a parish rosary service at 7 p.m. Friday. Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home until the cortege leaves for church. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 3009 Bay Settlement Rd. with Rev. Michael Weber O. Praem officiating. Entombment will be in Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum at Nicolet Memorial Gardens. To send on-line condolences visit www.prokowall.com.

The family wishes to thank Jim and Kathy Denissen for keeping a watchful eye on our mom and for being there with her on Friday afternoon. Our heartfelt thanks are extended to Herbert and Lucille Craanen for all they have done for mom through the years.

Mom, our thanks to you and dad for your unconditional love, for setting an example for all of us with your faith, strength and compassion. We will miss your tender smile, your caring heart, your apple pies and your homemade bread. All of our love to you.