Joan M. Vander Heiden

Joan Mary Vander Heiden (nee Kortz), age 79, died Monday morning, March 2nd, 2020 at Brewster Village with her loving husband by her side. Joan was born on April 3rd, 1940, the eldest child of Kirby Conrad and Catherine Frances (Vander Heiden) Kortz. She grew up on the Kortz Homestead in the Township of Freedom, WI. She graduated from Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School, Kaukauna, WI and Freedom High School. Immediately after high school graduation she accepted a job with Kimberly-Clark Cooperation at their headquarters office in Neenah, WI; a position she held for five years. On October 9th, 1962 she was united in marriage to Eugene Henry Vander Heiden at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Freedom, WI. A year later they purchased a dairy farm in the Township of Oneida and farmed there until 1991, at which time they moved to Freedom, WI. Ten years later they purchased land in the Township of Kaukauna and built a home/shop and retired. Joan was employed part time by Kelly Services for ten years (1995-2005), working exclusively at AAL/Thrivent.  

Gene and Joan enjoyed traveling, camping, Sunday afternoon car rides and most of all, their family. Joan’s hobbies were cross-stitching, crossword puzzles, scrapbooking, genealogy, reading and family activities.

Joan is survived by her husband Gene Vander Heiden. Four sons and their families: David (Sheila), their children, Justin, Ryan, Brandon, and Sean of Chilton, WI; Daniel (Dawn), their children, Danielle, Derek, Devin and Dayna of Appleton, WI; Duane (Laurie), their children, Jennifer, Michael, Kevin and Brian of Kaukauna, WI; Dean (Linda), their children Summer (Tim Johnson), Christian and Gabriel of Appleton, WI; three great-grandchildren, Wynter, Raynee and Rydge Johnson. Her sisters and brothers:  Mary (Joe) Lom of Appleton, WI; Helen (Chris Hendricks), Appleton, WI; Roy (Sue) Kortz of Waupaca, WI; Jim (Linda) Kortz of Kaukauna, WI; Lee (Carol) Kortz of Cincinnati, OH; Mark (Jan) Kortz of Kaukauna, WI; Carol Pilgrim of Oconomowoc, WI. Gene’s family: Beatrice (Mel) Baeten of Appleton, WI; Merlin (Delores) Vander Heiden of Depere, WI; Jerome (Kitty) Vander Heiden of Green Bay, WI; Carol (Greg) Verstegen of Appleton, WI; Lois (Gary) Mignon of Crandon, WI. Godchildren: Ann Laatsch and Dale Baeten. Also, many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Kirby and Catherine Kortz, grandparents, Bernard and Mary (Coenen) Vander Heiden and John and Josephine (Umlauft) Kortz;  in-laws, Clayton and Rosella Vander Heiden, a brother, William Kortz of Kaukauna, WI; a brother-in-law, John Pilgrim of Oconomowoc, WI and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, W2037 County Rd. S, Freedom with Fr. Walter Stumpf officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home FREEDOM LOCATION, N3972 Columbia Ave and also at the church on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will be in St. Nicholas Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that contributions will be given in honor of Joan for memory care.

Joan’s family would like to THANK all the staff at Brewster Village, Theda Care Hospice, Home Instead and Ruth Boyea for all the wonderful care and support you gave mom (Joan) over the years.

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