Blanche C. VanOudenhoven

Blanche C. VanOudenhoven

Appleton - Blanche VanOudenhoven, age 90, entered heavens gates with her family at her side on August 1st, 2021, at Brewster Village, Appleton, where she resided for the last 5 years. She was born on November 6, 1930, in Grand Chute, daughter of the late, Lester and Marie (Kohl) Plutz. As a young girl, Blanche attended Saint Theresa Catholic School, Appleton. She married Eugene VanOudenhoven on January 22, 1949. She and Gene then raised their seven children in Neenah.

Blanche had a number of passions she kept close to her heart; one being sewing. As a young mother she sewed alterations for "Carlsons Closet" and "Bee Franks", two prestigious clothing stores in the Fox Valley. She loved to sew outfits for her children, making many Halloween costumes, brides and bridesmaids' gowns, first communion dresses, etc., all beautifully sewn by Blanche. As soon as the children were in school, she went to work at Grants Department Store in the custom drapery department. After a number of years, she decided that she knew the trade enough to start her own business and opened "Blanches Custom Draperies" and worked out of her home until retirement, with Eugene by her side as her installer.

Genealogy was another of Blanches passions. She adored researching town records, visiting cemeteries and courthouses, and checking census rolls to compile her own genealogy books of the "Kohl" and "VanOudenhoven" families. She traveled to Europe, specifically Germany and the Netherlands, with Gene, to complete the information in the books. Beautiful flowerbeds and a large vegetable garden adorned Blanches yard because of her love for gardening and wanting the yard to look beautiful.

Both Gene and Blanche took their children camping to many places, instilling a love for the outdoors. The Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and Disneyworld were a few of their memorable destinations. The entire family had fun and made friends in the Wisconsin Campers Association. In their later years, Blanche and Gene would love to fish the Minnesota waters.

Blanches Catholic faith was extremely important to her, she was a lifelong member of Saint Margaret Mary Church in Neenah. She was president of "Christian Mothers" for many years and hosted numerous church events including a mother/daughter fashion show.

We will truly miss Blanches smile and sense of humor.

Survivors include her seven children, Greg (Diane) VanOudenhoven, Oshkosh, Greta (Paul) Johnson, Appleton, Grace O'Connell, Appleton, Glenn (Vicki) VanOudenhoven, Winchester, Gail Guay, Omro, Dr. Gary (Susan) VanOudenhoven, Marshfield, and Guy (Tracy) VanOudenhoven, Waupaca; 18 grandchildren: Scot VanOudenhoven, Julie McKinney, Andrew VanOudenhoven, Addie (Tim) Sorbo, Riley Johnson, Shawn (Craig) Reinsch, Erin O'Connell, Tim (Julia) VanOudenhoven, Ben (Laura) VanOudenhoven, Chelsey (Corey) Giordana,

Jenna (Tom) Fendryk, Casey (Jason) Parks, Zoe VanOudenhoven, Maia VanOudenhoven, Quinn VanOudenhoven, Kohl VanOudenhoven, Paige VanOudenhoven, and Tyler VanOudenhoven; 20 great grandchildren; two brothers in-law: Steven VanOudenhoven and Larry Keen; two sisters in-law: Mary Jane Vought and Janet VanOudenhoven. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Eugene VanOudenhoven; her parents-in-law: Henry & Johanna VanOudenhoven; her brother, Lester Plutz; her sister, Mary Keen; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Robert & Marian VanOudenhoven, Jerry & Lorie VanOudenhoven, Herb VanOudenhoven, Marvin & Donna VanOudenhoven; and family friend Carol Olsen.

Mass of Christian burial for Blanche will be 11:00 AM on Wednesday August 11, 2021, at Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 620 Division Street, Neenah, WI 54956, with Fr. Don Zulegar officiating. Visitation will be held at the church Wednesday morning beginning at 9:00 until 10:45 AM, with Mass to begin at 11:00 AM. Blanche will be laid to rest at the Saint Margaret Mary cemetery at 2:00pm.

Blanches family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the compassionate Brewster Village-Broadway staff who went above and beyond to provide loving care to our mother. Thank you also to the ThedaCare Hospice staff and Fr. David McElroy for the specialized attention given to mom and her family in her final weeks of life.

Westgor Funeral Home

205 W Doty Ave; 722-7151

Condolences: www.westgorfuneralhomes.com