James Norbert Van Straten

James N. Van Straten of Green Bay, passed away at the age of 88 surrounded by his family on January 4, 2025.
He was born August 29, 1936 to the late Norbert and Anna Marie (Arts) Van Straten in his family home in De Pere, WI. He graduated from West De Pere High School in 1955. On August 30, 1958, he married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Van Dreel. Together they shared 66 years of marriage.
In Jim's early years of marriage, he owned a bar in De Pere (Jim & Nancy's), an auto body and paint shop (Van Straten Auto), was involved with the Brown County stock car racing industry, and was a snowmobile dealer (Chaparral). From 1953-1962 Jim was a member of the National Guard. He continued the rest of his career in homebuilding and real estate. Jim was a real estate broker from 1972 to 1996 in which time he had an ownership in three companies and his proud accomplishments were: President of the Green Bay Board of Realtors; Director of State Realtors Association; Chairman on the Board of Directors for Local Association; Chairman on MLS Board of Directors; President of the Brown County Home Builders Association (served 2 terms); and was chosen for Realtor of the Year in 1984. Even though he "retired" in 1996, he continued working in homebuilding for his son till the age of 83. Jim truly enjoyed working with his hands.
Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy, and his children; Dan (Connie) Van Straten, Randy (Priscilla) Van Straten, Steve (Becky) Van Straten and Brenda (Dan) Hilbert; Grandchildren, Jennifer (Ken) Leo, Joshua (Stephanie) Van Straten, Kimberly (Brett) Stordeur, Katie (Tony) Rappel, Dana (Lucas) Czarneski, Amy (Andy) Cote, Adrian (Autumn) Hilbert, Erica (Michael) Berger and Alex (Lauren) Hilbert; Great Grandchildren, Daniel, Micah, Cecilia, Millie, Bernadette, Natalie, Skylar, Blake, Allison, Cash, Zoey, Hannah, Leah, Eloise, Lily, Teagan, Boone, Waverly and many other friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Norbert & Anna Marie Van Straten; infant sister, Sharon Van Straten; sister, Nancy (Don) Guns; brothers, Adrian Van Straten, Robert (Norma) Van Straten, Gary (Sharon) Van Straten, and Dave Van Straten; father and mother in-law, Herb & Ceil Van Dreel; brothers-in-law, Tom (Betty) Van Dreel and Ron Van Dreel.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, 2270 S. Oneida St., Green Bay from 10:00 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 with Father Matt Simonar Officiating. Lyndahl Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.lyndahl.com.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Meng Hospice Residence in De Pere, WI for their compassionate and excellent care of Jim.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of James Norbert Van Straten, please visit our floral store.