Clifford William Van Der Steen "Stony"

Clifford William Van Der Steen “Stony”, 90, passed away at home on December 31, 2020.  Cliff was born on July 31, 1930 to Harry and Mary (Romenesko) Van Der Steen in Little Chute. 

Cliff’s obituary was written by his grandson, titled My Hero.  My hero is someone who accomplished things others would not have expected.  By living to serve and lead with pride and moral integrity.  When my grandfather Cliff was 14 he was a milkman working for Morning Glory.  He also raced horses at the country fair and trained horses for a local businessman.  Cliff taught riding for the high school gym class and was the first Galloping Ghost at Kaukauna High School.  During the Korean War he served as a mechanic.  His job was to keep the vehicles running, he was called “The Caboose.”  The Caboose traveled behind all the other army vehicles so he could tell when a truck broke down. 

During the war he sent his paychecks home to deposit in the bank.  When his parents had a chance to buy a home he took out the money he saved and gave it to them for their down payment.  After the war Cliff worked at Miller Electric as a trouble shooter.  Whenever they had trouble on a machine he was called to fix it.  His company sent him around the world to accompany the sales reps. 

Cliff was asked to set up a plant in Africa and live there a few years, but he didn’t go because he wanted to stay close to his parents who were getting older. 

Cliff is an entrepreneur, ran his own business, invested in real estate, still trouble shoots for friends and family and at 75 goes camping with us, keeping us active and having fun.  I hope I can be like my hero, Grampa Cliff V.

Cliff is survived by his children; Kevin (Judy) Van Der Steen, Lucy (Mike) Schumann, and Chris Van Der Steen, grandchildren; Stephanie Van Der Steen, Kelton Hatton and Sandy Hatton, Luke, Ted and Maggie Schumann, great grandchildren; Serena, Jameson, Mari, Kolby and Kane, a brother Jerry (Carol) Van Der Steen, other relatives and friends.  Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Diane, his siblings; Eugene and Tom, a sisters-in-law; Angie Van Der Steen, and Kay Bartmann, brother-in-law Bill Bartmann, and grandsons Jesse and Kevin Jr. Van Der Steen. 

The funeral service for Cliff will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 11:00 AM at ST. KATHARINE DREXEL PARISH, ST. MARY'S CHURCH, 119 W. Seventh Street, Kaukauna.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the church.  Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.verkuilenfh.com. 

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