Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1942
DIED
2014
FUNERAL HOME
Grace Vander Velden Obituary
Grace P. Vander Velden, Kimberly, age 72, passed away peacefully with her family by her side Wednesday August 20, 2014 at Appleton Medical Center. She was born in Little Chute on February 6, 1942 to the late Clarence and Marie (Van Thiel) Bongers. Grace married Gene Vander Velden on November 4, 1961 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church. She worked as an administrative assistant for the Kimberly School District and in the finance department for the Village of Little Chute before taking a position with the Town of Menasha, where Grace retired as Finance Director. She was an active member of Holy Spirit Parish, the Church Choir, Mission Club, and a Eucharistic Minister.
Growing up in Little Chute, she was a proud member of the Drum and Bugle Corps. When her girls were younger, Grace was a Girl Scout and Brownie Troop Leader. She and Gene were Florida 'snowbirds' enjoying the Cape Coral warmth with many good friends. She enjoyed bowling, fishing, horseshoes, and spending time with family and friends at the cottage in Pickerel. Grace was a member of Curves and loved seeing her friends there. Her passion for sewing led to hundreds of projects, with a special talent of matching outfits for her own daughters, continuing on to her Granddaughters and their dolls! Grace's incredible and unwavering strength, her compassion for others, and her everlasting faith in God, are traits every human being should emulate.
Grace will be sadly missed by her loving husband of 52 years, Gene; daughters: Sherry Vander Velden (Karen Roaten), Fort Worth, TX and Barbara (Tom) Van Asten, Freedom; grandchildren: Carissa, Kelsie, Kayla and Carlie Van Asten; siblings: Claire (Tom) Verhagen, Tom (Mary) Bongers, Cynthia (Greg) Mathe and Patricia Bongers-DeGroot.; brother and sisters-in-law: Bonnie Vander Velden and Ken (Karen) Vander Velden; her Godchildren: Ron, Beth, Jolene, Nic and Caitlin. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, Grace was preceded in death by her grandchild, Eli Van Asten; siblings: Mary Jane and David Bongers; and brothers and sister-in-law: Jerry and Jeff (Laurie) Vander Velden.
Visitation will be held Monday August 25, 2014 at HOLY SPIRIT PARISH - KIMBERLY CHURCH (600 E. Kimberly Ave. Kimberly) beginning at 1:00 p.m. until time of Funeral Mass at 4:00 p.m. The Rev. Robert Kollath will officiate. Committal St. John Cemetery. To sign the guest book, please visit oconnellfh.com.
Special thanks to Dr. Guenther and the staff at the Martha Sieckman Cancer Center and AMC hospital.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Grace Vander Velden
Joy St. John
August 29, 2014
Sherry, Barb & family - Sending you thoughts and prayers during your difficult loss. I will always remember your mom being a true spirit of kindness, friendship and grace. Her laughter and smile could light up a room and I am profoundly thankful to have known her in a small way. My best & blessings, Joy (Zimmerman) St. John
August 28, 2014
to the family of Grace , my sincere condolences. I was a neighbor of Grace living two houses away on Johnson Ave, in Little Chute. She had a inpact on me as I was growing up. Always the gentle one who talked to me every time she saw me, Her mother occasionally watched me. She had such a wonderful smile that I never forgot,,Looked the same after all these years ...God bless and be with your family at this time Jane Janssen/Hartzheim
August 26, 2014
Barb, Sherry & family:
I'm sorry for your loss. Your Mom was a wonderful and giving person. I'll never forget the fun times we had at your house growing up. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Jeanne "Robinson" Skinner
Carl and Karen Verhagen(Van Thiel)
August 25, 2014
Gene and family,
Grace was always there with a smile and ready to talk.
Celebrate her life and cherish the wonderful memories.
Diana Brunmeier
August 25, 2014
My sincere condolences Gene. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.
August 25, 2014
Wishing you peace in the passing of your wife, mother and grandmother.
August 24, 2014
Gene and family,
I had the pleasure of working with Grace at the Town of Menasha.
Grace was a wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with
you and your family at this difficult time.
Lori Jencks
Ed and Holly Willenbrink
August 23, 2014
All our love and sympathy Gene.
Lloyd
August 23, 2014
Gene sherry Barbie Tom and kids you are all in my prayers God bless and take care. from. Lloyd
JoAnn Danelski
August 23, 2014
My deepest sympathies to the family. Thinking and praying for you at the difficult time.
Gary and Sandy Stoffel
August 23, 2014
Our heartfelt sympathy is with you at this time. So sorry for you loss.
August 23, 2014
Thinking of you...Our sympathy Gene...hugs Bob and Joyce (Vander Zanden) Much...
Sally Weber
August 23, 2014
My sympathies to Gene and family. When I worked at Holy Name of Jesus/Holy Spirit Parish, Grace was a delight to have on the finance committee. She was as her name suggests...a woman of grace.
Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results
Make a Donation
in Grace Vander Velden's name
Memorial Events
for Grace Vander Velden
Funeral services provided by:
O'Connell Funeral Home - Little Chute1776 East Main Street, Little Chute, WI 54140
How to support Grace's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Grace Vander Velden's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
