Allan U. Van Daalwyk

Polk City - Allan U. "Al" Van Daalwyk, age 83, of Polk City, Fla., passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. He was born on September 21, 1940, to the late Urban and the late Delores (Verkuilen) Van Daalwyk. Al and his sister were raised in Little Chute, Wis. and Kimberly, Wis.

He attended Appleton High School and graduated from Kimberly High School in 1959. On October 13, 1960, Al married his sweetheart, Jean (Sachs), of Appleton, Wis. Together they raised two children, Dennis and Cheryl. They left the "Valley" in 1974 and resided in Grafton and Oconomowoc, Wis., before moving to Florida where they enjoyed the warmer climes for nearly 20 years.

Al served his country in the National Guard 127 Infantry and Reserve 158 Transportation Co. between 1959 and 1963 in Neenah, Wis. He spent most of his career in the printing industry, most notably at The Post Crescent in Appleton, and The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, where he was employed for 27 years, retiring in 2000 and then serving as a consultant.

Al had a natural ability to fix almost anything including automobiles and taught his children and grandchildren many of these life skills. He had a life-long love for the great outdoors and enjoyed camping, fishing, snowmobiling and skiing. In his retirement, he traveled the U.S. with Jean in their RV. His favorite fishing hole could be found in "Lake Winnie" at Starck's Tamarack Lodge in northern Minn., where he and Jean spent many summers.

In addition to his wife of 63 years, he is survived by two children: Dennis (Deanne) Van Daalwyk of Brookfield, Wis., and Cheryl (Darin) Tessier of Stoughton, Wis.; and four grandchildren: Kyle (partner MK O'Brien) and Ryan (fiancée Maura Rich) Van Daalwyk, and David and Elizabeth Tessier. He is further survived by niece Christine Wittmann, with whom he was especially close, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Cecelia (Melcher) Van Daalwyk, and sister Marlene Hoheisel.

A Celebration of Al's Life will be held 1 - 4 p.m. on Sat., Oct 26, at Batley's Bar & Grill, Joe Bower's Room, at 1010 Cameron Way, Neenah, Wis.