LaVerne "Myrt" Van Vreede

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mom, LaVerne / Myrt Van Vreede. She passed away peacefully on December 9, 2025, surrounded by family.  Mom was born on September 21, 1929, to the late Edwin and Rose (Hartmanstorfer) Walker in Kaukauna, WI. Mom married her love and our cherished Dad, Jerry Van Vreede, on May 22, 1954, at Holy Cross Church.

Mom was a “city girl” working at the Bag Mill in Kaukauna when she met Jerry. She was up for the challenge of moving to the country and joining our Dad in running the family farm. She learned quickly how to manage farm activities, create a loving home, bake and cook delicious food, and raise seven kids. Mom was caring and compassionate and always willing to help anyone in need. She was known for her “homemade baked buns”, her canned pickles and her salsa. She always had a huge garden to tend and flowers to enjoy. Mom also found time to golf, bowl, sew, swim, bean bag, play cards, do puzzles, volunteer, and fish and gamble with Dad. Mom loved spending time with her family, especially the “little ones” who affectionately called her “Grandma Great”.

Mom lived her best life and was always up for an adventure or a dance.  She had a wonderful sense of humor and was known to help Dad instigate pranks on the neighbors. Mom loved unconditionally and with her whole heart. She was truly a beautiful and special woman.

Our Mom cherished time with family and is lovingly survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Son - Brian (Sue) and their family: Jason and LeeAnn (Braydan, Owen); Scott; Matt and Marcia (Maelynn, Marielle). Daughter - Lisa (Chris) and their family: Kelly and Todd (Micah, Callaway, Piper, Sawyer); Christy and Matt (Grey); Kyle and Carmen (Kennison, Calihan, Vaeda); Kelsey (Maddy, Kinley, Max); Lindsey and Ryan (Millie, Isla); Joe; Abi. Daughter - Barb (Tim) and their family: Jessica (Riley, Faith). Daughter - Ann (Randy) and their family: Alex and Corissa; Jacob; Hannah and Ben. Daughter - Kay (Pat) and their family: Samantha and Ross (Dani, Koti, Carson); Alyssa and Kellen (Clemens, Brooks); Zach. Son - Kevin (Donald). Daughter - Lynn (Pete) and their family: Meghan and Connor (Maverick); Amber and Joseph (Noah, Abigail, Samuel); Justin.

Beyond her immediate family, Mom leaves behind her sister-in-law, Helen Walker, David and Barb Nelson (Olivia, Hunter) and Jackie Young.

Mom was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, her son-in-law Lyle, and Janet Keyes who was her gambling partner and “adopted” daughter.  She was also preceded in death by her siblings: Frances (Linus) Shaefer, Marie (Joseph) Simon, Robert (Imelda) Walker and Edwin Walker. Her in-laws: Anita (John) Hammill, Lucille (Willard) Moser, Marian Hurley (Jack Joosten), Marguerite (Gordon) Lamers, Helen (Donald) John, Phyllis (Lawrence) Mauthe, James (Esther) Van Vreede, Mark (Carol) Van Vreede and Tom (Lori) Van Vreede.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Helen’s House in Kimberly for providing Mom with a caring home environment, with special thanks to Emily, Ornella and Alene. We are also thankful for the compassionate care and assistance provided by St. Paul Home Hospice. Mom’s passing was incredibly peaceful and is a memory we will treasure. We would also like to thank Dr. Sarah Busse for her exceptional and compassionate care of Mom over the years.

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 11:00am at Holy Cross Church, 309 Desnoyer St., Kaukauna. Visitation will begin at the church at 9:00am and will continue until the time of the Mass. Mom will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery with a private family service. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

Mom, we will carry on your legacy of love, kindness and caring with how we live our lives. We were blessed to have you and Dad as our parents.