Eileen (Mollen) Gregorius

Eileen M. Gregorius, age 94, of Little Chute, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, May 22, 2020 at St. Paul’s Home in Kaukauna. She was born on September 25, 1925, daughter of the late Joseph and Johanna (Colby) Mollen.  Eileen married her one and only love, Edward “Eddie” Gregorius on July 8,1950.  In 1977 he proceeded her in death.

Eileen was employed at the State Department of Revenue.  For many years Eileen volunteered at The History Museum at the Castle in downtown Appleton.  The Thursday volunteer crew all became friends.  She enjoyed those days and especially the conversation at break-time with coffee and special treats.  Even after Eileen stopped driving, she was assured she had a ride to go to and from the museum and Eileen, and her daughter-in-law Linda, would enjoy a nice lunch together after she was picked up “from her job”.

With her late husband Eddie, they both enjoyed numerous trips and camping and that love of camping carries on too Don and Linda.  She enjoyed doing puzzles especially upnorth camping in Three Lakes, Wisc.  There almost always was an active puzzle being worked on in the dedicated screened in puzzle room.  The rule was if you went into the puzzle room you had to complete a piece of the puzzle before you could leave.  Many enjoyed that, while others would peek in from the outside.  Eileen always got a kick out of that.    

Eileen’s favorite holiday was Christmas.  She loved decorating the tree and for many years made popcorn for garland.  She took the time to carefully place each Christmas ornament so to have it hang just perfectly.  We understand now how Don inherited that trait. 

Eileen enjoyed playing Sheepshead cards with family and friends and it would not be surprising to see her playing almost every weekend while entertaining at her house or going to others.   She enjoyed reading Betty Neels Romance Novels, watching TV, especially Friends and Wheel of Fortune.  She loved to shop and would drive downtown (later the mall) and was a huge bargain hunter finding named brand clothing at deep discounts. Eileen enjoyed being in the kitchen each day working on a home cooked meal.  She was a fantastic cook and baker and Eileen’s rhubarb pie and chocolate chip cookies were famous with friends and family.  Eileen loved to stop at McDonalds for lunch, and a “couple” cups of coffee, and enjoyed collecting many of the happy meal toys.  Those toys were donated to several organizations.

Eileen is survived by her son Don and his wife Linda (Van Dynhoven) Gregorius, grand-dog Norry; last surviving sibling Jeanette Micke; sisters-in-law, Alice Mollen and Margaret Mollen; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; Eddie Gregorius, dog Sandy; grand-dog Austi; parents, Joseph and Johanna Mollen; sisters and brothers-in-law: Teresa Mollen, Anita (Harley) Johnson, Imelda M. Van Veghel, Bertha (Harry) Van Veghel, and Imelda Mollen; brothers: John Mollen, Ignatius "Moe" Mollen, Gerald (Carol) Mollen; and Joseph Mollen.

Due to the current circumstances a private mass was held at St. John’s Catholic Church followed by Interment at St. John Cemetery, Little Chute.  Please consider a donation to The History Museum at the Castle in downtown Appleton.  Eileen loved her time volunteering at the museum.  Go to www.myhistorymuseum.org and note in memory of Eileen Gregorius.  Thank You!  To send cards to the family please mail to: Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 101 Canal St., Little Chute, WI 54140 with attention to the family of Eileen Gregorius.

Don and Linda would like to thank all the St. Paul’s Home Administration and Caregivers who have taken care of Eileen over her almost 4 years and most recently the Hospice Team.  We would love to mention you all by name, but we do not want to leave anyone out.  We are sure the last words to many of you were “Judas Priest”.  Many of you tried to tell her that was a heavy metal band, but she was not having any of that.  We appreciate all your patience, kind words, and love shown to Eileen.  Eileen made several friends at St. Paul’s, especially Eva and Mary Louise, her lunch/dinner/bingo buddies.  We are so glad she had you to chat with for hours and hours.

Mom, we are sad, never ready to let you go.  You had a great life and made our lives so much better.  We enjoyed so many good times especially upnorth in Three Lakes.  We have memories that will be with us forever.  Norry Girl loves and misses you and thanks grandma for always taking good care of her when mom and dad went away.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.