Ethel L (Bowers) Vande Hey

Ethel L. Vande Hey, age 86, of Freedom, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2024. She was born on July 1, 1937, daughter of the late Elzear and Johanna (Demerath) Bowers. She attended schools in Wrightstown and then married Eugene A. Vande Hey on April 30, 1957.

Ethel and Gene started the Colonial House Supper Club in Freedom and for years ran the business together. They made many fond memories with family and friends through the years at the super club and bowling lanes. Ethel bowled for years in varies leagues and achieved 7 national honor counts. She enjoyed going out to lunch and shopping with her sisters, and spending time with her group of friends referred to as the “Butterflies.” Above all, Ethel loved her family. She was happiest when they were all together.

Ethel is survived by her sons: Mike (Lynn) Keith, Nick (Maura Ann), Kevin and Jeff Vande Hey; grandchildren: Melanie (Rafael) Segura, Tracy (Shannon) Vande Voort, Jacole Hall, Darren (Sarah) Vande Hey, Becky Roberts, Jesse (special friend, Harper) Vande Hey, Ryan Vande Hey, Megan (Eric) Gonnering, Amanda Vande Hey, Rick (special friend, McKenna) Vande Hey; 11 great grandchildren; sisters: Judy McCormick (special friend, Art) and Patti (Phil) Weber; brothers: Merlin “Butch” (Marleen) Bowers and Joe (Leanne) Bowers; Gene’s family: Dolores DeBruin, Tom (Lisa) Vande Hey, Sharon Vande Hey, Wayne (Luanne) Vande Hey and Dale (Debbie) Vande Hey; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends, especially Vionne Greiner, Merilee Dickrell, Ione Ashauer, Dolores Van Epern, Theo Johnson, Nancy and Mike Pingle.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Vande Hey; parents, Elzear and Johanna Bowers; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Mary Pat Vande Hey; father and mother-in-law, Nick and Wilma Vande Hey; sister, Marilyn (Dave) Fischer; brothers: David, Jerry and Robert Bowers; in-laws: Bruce Vande Hey, Jerry Vande Hey, Nancy (Melvin) White, Jim De Bruin and Baby Ethel.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, W2037 County Road S, Freedom. Visitation will be at the church on Monday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the nice people on Scenic Lane, especially Jackie and Ray Reiter, Heather and Josh Delforge and family, and Phil and Kathy Stein, for all the help and kindness. Another thank you to Msgr. Jim Vandenhogen, the staffs at Emerald Bay, St. Croix Hospice, St. Vincent Hospital, and Dr. Jessica Peterson for all of the care and compassion given to Ethel and her family.

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