Yvonne VanPembrook

Yvonne "Vonnie" (Coopman) VanPembrook was born on February 11, 1937 to Laura Hylund and LeRoy Coopman in Suamico, Wisconsin. She lived a life of service to God, her family and her community for 88 years. She died peacefully at home surrounded by the love of her family reflecting back the love she nurtured in them. Yvonne would be the first to tell you, "I've had a full, interesting and a good life." When Yvonne was four years old, her parents divorced. Her mother moved the family to Kingsford, MI and married John Zoeller. Vonnie's farm-life began at age 12, when her mother and step-father moved to a farm in Aurora. She attended school in Kingsford and Homestead. Yvonne met and married Donald G. VanPembrook, also a farmer from Aurora, on September 18, 1954. Yvonne made her home on the VanPembrook Family Farm where she spent the rest of her life. Yvonne enjoyed working alongside her husband and the 10 children they raised together. She said, "I never knew for sure if the farm grew because of the large family or if the family grew because of the large farm. It grew to one of the nicest farms in Florence County."

Vonnie considers her most treasured years and her highest accomplishments farming and raising children who learned to appreciate the value of hard work and each other while sharing the good times and supporting each other through the tough times. Vonnie has a strong Catholic faith which has sustained her through the sorrowful times with the loss of her husband Donald in 1990 and four children, Scott, Michael, Jim and Rhonda, who were called home way too soon. Vonnie credits a loving and merciful God who gave her grace to manage the difficult times as well as the ability to recognize the bountiful blessings that continued to pour down on her and her family.

Vonnie was a true servant. She poured her love into her family by providing endless meals, patching jeans for everyone, providing hair-cuts for her sons, son-in-laws and grandchildren and sharing her wit and her wisdom generously. In addition to her family, Vonnie always found room for an additional mouth or two at the table.

While Vonnie loved the activity of farm life, she also found time to serve her community in many meaningful ways. She loved her faith community at The Sacred Heart Church and she served where needed by teaching CCD, lectoring and making simple Baptism gowns for all the precious children baptized there for 40 years. A prayer went into each gown she made.

Vonnie was the first woman elected to the Florence County Board and she represented the Town of Aurora for over 15 years, from 1980 -1995. Afterward, she continued to serve as a citizen at large on several county committees that were important to her: Land Conservation; Health; and Economic Development. She found her years of committee and community service work both educational and stimulating. Along with other responsible community leaders and county board supervisors, Vonnie had the pleasure to have a role in the development of the Industrial Park, which allowed for business growth in Florence County. The county board members recognized that good jobs were needed to keep our young people in the area. One of the largest accomplishments of the Economic Committee during Vonnie's involvement, was convincing Pride Manufacturing from Maine to move to Florence. They made a case for the raw material and good employees in Florence County. During the efforts to bring Pride Manufacturing to Florence, she invited the Pride Mfg. delegation committee and other county leaders to the VanPembrook Family Farm for breakfast. Vonnie was told that with the help of her homemade cinnamon rolls and the down-to-earth country welcome, that Pride Mfg. was convinced Florence was the place to be. Vonnie was a warm and welcoming soul who cooked her love and integrity into every bite. During Vonnie's years of service on the County Board, she also saw the preservation and remodeling of the historical court house, the construction of the Natural Resource Center, the First National Bank in Aurora and the Senior Housing Project in Aurora.

In 1992 Vonnie was hired by the Nicolet National Forest Service to help move into a new building of the Florence Natural Resource Service Center. This building houses the U.S. Forest Service, Florence Forestry Dept., the WI. D.N.R, and the UW-Ext. Vonnie became the warm and welcoming greeter for visitors and customers seeking services or tourist information. During her 23 years at the front desk, Vonnie enjoyed meeting many wonderful people and she made many friends.

Vonnie, feeling she had more to give her community, became involved with the Aurora Town businesses to create a 100-Year Aurora History CD for the Aurora Centennial. Vonnie waited for someone with knowledge and talent to step up to create this. When no one did, she took it upon herself to get it done. Thanks to Vonnie, with the guidance and expertise of Nick Jenson of Flo-line Media, the Aurora History CD came to fruition. It was one of her final gifts to her community.

Vonnie enjoyed sharing the history of the farm and highlighting the accomplishments of her in-laws, Camiel and Stephani VanPembrook and their descendants. She appreciates and loves the large VanPembrook family and she honors the strong foundation her in-laws created by hosting large family reunions at the family farm. In August 2025, as in years past, the gathering included a prayer service and a barn dance with music provided by the family. With the love, support and talent provided by many relatives, these reunions become the party of the year with 200+ attending. Community, neighbors and friends also help make the gatherings special with Vonnie, the family matriarch, leading the way.

Vonnie's leadership, integrity, spunk, energy, work ethic, good humor, wisdom and her warmth will remain with all of us fortunate enough to love her and to be loved by her. Vonnie was a strong and compassionate servant in this beautiful life she has lived. Vonnie often said, "Don't cry for me when I am gone. Celebrate the amazing life I have had."

Vonnie leaves behind: her children Donald A (Denise) VanPembrook, Roxanne (late Edward) Hedlund, Shelly (Dean) Neuens, Mark VanPembrook, Patrick (Tammy), VanPembrook, Timothy (Melissa) VanPembrook, all in Aurora; 18 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; sisters: Karen Broullire, Holly Gagnon, Nancy Stuart, Mary Schultz; brothers: Dan and Bill Zoeller; many loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Waiting to greet Vonnie at the heavenly banquet are her husband, Donald; sons, Scott, Michael, James; daughter, Rhonda VanPembrook; granddaughter, Brandy Wright; son-in-law, Edward Hedlund; two brothers, James Coopman-Zoeller and Calvin Coopman.

She will be deeply missed and will remain deeply loved and respected. Her love was great enough to fill us for the rest of our lives. May Vonnie, this good and faithful servant rest forever in the peace and love of the God who gave her life.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 2nd at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 3rd at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aurora. Fr. Joseph Dorner and Fr. Michael Woempner will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Vonnie will be laid to rest at the Aurora-Homestead Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Vonnie has requested donations to be made to the Sacred Heart Church in Aurora "Building Improvement Fund", St. Anthony Catholic Church at 1432 River St. Niagara, WI 54151

Condolences to the family of Yvonne "Vonnie" VanPembrook may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.