James "Jim" Van Abel
October 11, 1930 ~ January 4, 2018 (age 87) 87 Years OldShare using:
James E. Van Abel, age 87, of Kaukauna, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, January 4, 2018. He was born on October 11, 1930, son of the late Albert and Mary (Campbell) Van Abel. Jim married Marlene DeLeeuw and together they have celebrated over 61 years of marriage.
Jim ran the family farm until 1965, and then enjoyed serving his insurance clients for over 30 years until his retirement. Jim was an active member at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Kaukauna for many years, and was in the choir and an usher for 50 years. Jim had a lifelong passion for bowling that started as a pin setter at VanAbel's of Hollandtown at the age of 16. He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events. Jim most valued spending time with his family whether just visiting, or playing a good game of sheephead or cribbage.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Marlene Van Abel; children: Gary (Elizabeth) Van Abel, Dick (Sue) Van Abel and Karen (Joe) Meyer; grandchildren: Carolyn (Kyle) Coleman, Mary (David) Lenz, Michael Van Abel, Luke (Michelle) Van Abel, John (Kelsey) Van Abel, Leah (Aaron) Williams, Laura Taggart and Bryan Meyer; great grandchildren: Ella and Adeline Coleman, Elijah Lenz, Joy and Sariah Van Abel and Isla Williams; brothers and sisters-in-law: Betty Courtney, Rosemary Kraus, Clarence (Lois) DeLeeuw and Joyce DeLeeuw; nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Mary, and his brother, Tom (Jacque) Van Abel.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, St. Mary's Church, 119 W. 7th Street, Kaukauna, with Fr. Willie Vande Loo officiating and Pastoral Leader Deacon Steve Vande Hey assisting. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Jim’s name. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.
The Van Abel family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Fresenius Dialysis Center and to the staff at Cherry Meadows Hospice for all of the compassionate care given to Jim.
