LaVerne Vandenberg

LaVerne Elizabeth (Van Handel) Vandenberg, 85, Appleton, formerly of Little Chute, died peacefully Saturday, July 20, 2024 surrounded by her family. Born March 7, 1939, in Appleton on the family farm, eldest of Edward J. and Blanche (Van Asten) Van Handel. LaVerne married Floyd Vandenberg on May 13, 1967 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Little Chute and together celebrated 40 years of marriage in 2007. A longtime, active and faithful member of St. John Nepomucene, she was a member of the Gloria Choir and Mission Club, as well as a dedicated volunteer for numerous annual activities. She started her career at The Outagamie Bank in bookkeeping and continued as a teller through numerous institution changes, retiring with Wells Fargo after 25 years. In recent years, she shared her love of cleaning with St. Paul Elder Services, Kaukauna; Monte Alverno Retreat House, Appleton and the friars at St. Fidelis Friary, Appleton. LaVerne enjoyed her sports from pee wee to professional, taking care of her yard, flowers and garden, canning in the fall, testing new recipes, monthly fellowship with the girls from the bank, polka Masses, The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune and helping others.

LaVerne is survived by her three children: Lynn, Little Chute; Lori (Todd), Menasha; Dale, Chicago; two grandchildren whom she adored more than anything else: Sammy and Jesse Zamudio; brothers and sisters: Ronald (Irene) Van Handel, Florian (Linda) Van Handel, Clarence Van Handel, all of Kaukauna; Lorraine Steffens, Seymour; Dolores (Patrick) Van De Hey, De Pere; Joe Van Handel, Appleton; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Agnes (Bernard) Merline, De Pere; Beverly Vandenberg; Alan Laux; Barbara Vandenberg, all of Appleton; other relatives and many friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Floyd; parents; father- and mother-in-law, Harry and Mary (West) Vandenberg; brothers Larry, Willard (Bill) Van Handel; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Joseph Steffens; Sharon Van Handel; Arthur (Sally), Henry, Ambrose (Florence), Elmer (Agnes), Richard (Frieda), Harvey, Paul (Lucille) Vandenberg; Dolores (Earl) Walker; Lucille (Chuck) Post; Raymond (Kay) Vandenberg; Rita Laux, and Alvin Vandenberg.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Little Chute with the Reverend Monsignor James Vanden Hogen officiating. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery, Little Chute.  Friends may call at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 101 Canal Street, Little Chute, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 29, 2024 and at the church from 9:30 a.m. Tuesday until the time of Mass. A parish prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

LaVerne’s family wishes to thank Kristi, NP, Melanie, NP, Jenny, RN and the entire nursing staff at Ascension St. Elizabeth Oncology for their loving care, concern and weekly conversation.

Mom and Grandma,

Thank you for teaching us the important things in life. Thank you for the support you’ve given and the memories we’ve shared. Our loss is heaven’s gain.

We love you and know you are always with us.

Lynn, Lori, Dale, Sammy and Jesse