Grace Van Handel

GraceAnn M. (Grace George) Van Handel, 85, of Kaukauna, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. She was born on May 28, 1931, daughter of the late Hubert and Josephine (Verhagen) George.

Grace married Rich Van Handel on October 6, 1954, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Kaukauna, and they celebrated 60 years of marriage before his passing on May 23, 2015.

As a young woman, Grace worked at Zwickers Knitting Mill, and then she became a full time wife and mother. She had a creative flare and artistic ability, which came through in her years of teaching ceramic classes out of her home. She enjoyed and took pride in decorating, be it for herself or others. To say Grace loved collecting dolls would be an understatement. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and finding the perfect gift for someone was a greater joy to her than receiving one. Making everyone around her have fun and bringing great laughter was her specialty. Grace cherished the times spent with her many friends and family and enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Grace is survived by her children: Dave (Marge) Van Handel, Donna Weyenberg, Dale (Trina) Van Handel, Denise (Dan) Zwick and Dawn (Tom) Golden; grandchildren: Eric (Steph), Jared (Sarah), Nicole (Paul), Kyle (Katie), Alicia, Sam (Lisa), Max, Brady (Mia), Ashley (Cory), Brittany, Jamie, Dylan, Derek, Jena and Connor; 15 great grandchildren; siblings: Betty Janssen, Bruce (Irene) George, Dick (Dolly) George and Jim (Carol) George; a very special niece, Julie Smith; sisters-in-law: Urs Vanden Heuvel and Lorna Van Handel; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Rich; her parents; a sister, Janet (Joe) Smith; brothers and sisters-in-law: Matt (Marion)(Janet) Van Handel, Art (Bernice) Van Handel, Bill Van Handel, Erv (Bonnie)(Ruth) Van Handel, Catherine (Mike Micke)(Jerome Van Lanen), Marie (Ruben Van Lanen)(Butch Dobrinska), Irene (George) Stoffel, Ag (Al) Smudde, Audrey (Fabe) Van Camp and Clarence Vanden Heuvel; and her father and mother-in-law, Fred and Anna Van Handel.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 20, 2016, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 323 S. Pine Street, Little Chute, with Msgr. Jim Vanden Hogen officiating. Friends may call on Sunday, June 19, 2016, at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 101 Canal Street, Little Chute, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and again at the church on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery, Little Chute. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

The Van Handel family would like to extend a special thank you to Theda Care and St. Paul Home for the wonderful care given to their mother.

Thank you Mom for gracefully showing us how to always live life to the fullest and for helping us to smile and even laugh during your last days with us. Your strength and love was truly “AMAZING.”   

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