Sylvester A. Van Zeeland

Sylvester A. “Ves” Van Zeeland, age 83, of Kaukauna, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, April 27, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on November 25, 1933, in Kaukauna, son of the late Frank and Emma (Diedrich) Van Zeeland.

Ves married Theresa Vande Loo on August 30, 1955, and have together enjoyed 61 years of marriage. He was a hardworking man and he enjoyed farming until his retirement. His favorite time of the year was the week spent up north with his family. Ves enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling and country music. He loved watching sports, especially the Packers, Brewers and Badgers. Ves could always make anyone laugh and his family will certainly miss the “Tiger King”.

Ves is survived by his loving wife, Theresa; a daughter, Joan (Mark) Rutten; 8 sons: Gary (Vicki), Carl (Mary Jo), Denis (Becky Van Heuklon), Roy (Kelly), Keith (Bridget), Tom (Lynn), Kevin (Heidi) and Jim (Lisa) Van Zeeland; 19 grandchildren: Adam (Meghan) and Arik Van Zeeland, Kayla (Jered) Van Lanen and Troy Van Zeeland, Scott and Jessica Van Zeeland, BreAnna and Cole Van Zeeland, Tyler, Steve and Ashley Van Zeeland, Amanda (fiance, Ryan Robillard) and Amy Rutten, Alex and Nicole Van Zeeland, Jacob and Olivia Van Zeeland, Megan and Mariah Van Zeeland; four step grandchildren: Ashley and Tyler Genslak and Kerri (Andrew) Hah and Kelly Kelderman; 7 great grandchildren: Lily, Stella, Maverik, Paxton, Portia, Tiana and Marshall; siblings: Evelyn Sprangers, Grace Hockers and Eugene (Marion) Van Zeeland; brothers and sisters-in-law: Robert (Theresa) Vande Loo, Lola Vande Loo, Victor (Mary Jane) Vande Loo, Alice (James) Hammen, Mary Lois (Frank) Lamers, Donald (Barbara) Vande Loo, Eunice Micke and Sandra (Donald) Snelling; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ves was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Raymond (Janice) Van Zeeland; brothers and sisters-in-law: Floyd Sprangers, Clem Hockers, Della Vande Loo, Eugene Vande Loo and Roger Micke; father and mother-in-law, Jacob and Edna Vande Loo.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2017, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 309 Desnoyer Street, Kaukauna, from 4:00 p.m. until the parish prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue Monday morning at Holy Cross from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Tom Pomeroy will officiate, with Fr. Willard Vande Loo concelebrating. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Kaukauna. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

The Van Zeeland family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Danz, Dr. Ballard, Dr. Yao and their staffs, the staff of Theda Care Hospice, especially Robyn, Dawn, Ida and Cindy, and to special nurse Nancy for all of the compassionate care that was given to Ves. 

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