Phyllis Van Deraa

Phyllis (Arnoldussen) Van Deraa, she went to be with her Lord on July 31, 2025 at the age of 88 years old. She was born November 20, 1936, in Kaukauna, daughter of the late Edward and Lucy (Bowers) Arnoldussen. Phyllis was a very active member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish (St. Mary Site) Kaukauna, spending many hours volunteering. She was on many committees, helped with cleaning, serving funeral lunches and ushering.

Phyllis retired from Bel-Kaukauna Cheese in 1998 after many years of employment, which was the former Kaukauna Klub Cheese. She enjoyed helping her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also helped anyone who needed her help. Whether it was painting, cleaning, communicating, or making flower arrangements. She attended many events in her family’s life; choir concerts, school plays, band, piano, soccer, softball, dance; etc. She was always there cheering them on.

Some of her favorite hobbies included: sewing, making flower arrangements, ceramics, embroidering, and making countless baby blankets. She also enjoyed playing cards with her sisters and brothers, going to the casinos with her good friend, Mary Dusenbery and loved the Packers and Wisconsin Badgers.

Phyllis  is survived by her daughter, Christine (Mark) Hoh and two sons: Keith (Lisa), Kevin (Sandy); grandchildren: Thomas (Lucy) Hoh, Trisha (Matt Schneider), Tiffany (Jamie Van Hulle), James (Amanda Schafer), Daniel (Blanche) Schafer, Adam (Shana) Schafer, and Justin (Amanda) Van Deraa; great grandchildren: Nyssa (fiancé Mason), Nyles, Nygel, Travis, Ellie, Samantha, Ava, Grace, Owen, Ryker, Ian, Emma, Evelyn, Lilliana, Matthew, Stephanie (Peter), Carol (Nate), Hannah (fiancé Connor Hornick), Ian, Cameron, and Payton; great-great grandchildren: Quinn, Asher and Jake; Godchildren: Richard Onkels, Brenda Van Deraa, Judy White, Doreen Nisleit, Donald Huben, Sean Arnoldussen and Fred Harris; a sister, Sister Mary Arnoldussen; a brother, Ervin Arnoldussen; sisters-in-law: Judy VandeVoort, and Joyce, Leona and Jeanie Van Deraa; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Lester Van Deraa; her son, Tracy Allen Van Deraa; parents: Edward and Lucy Arnoldussen; granddaughter, Heather Van Deraa; brothers: John, Clayton, Jerry, Dale, and Joe Arnoldussen; sisters: Gladys Sack, Bernice Harris, Jenny Hartzheim, Theresa Rosenthal, and Eunice Onkels; brothers-in-law: Frank Effa, Ben Harris, Gus Sack, Walter Rosenthal, Marvin Hartzheim, Jerome Van Deraa, and Gene Onkels; sisters-in-law: Kathy, Carol, Joyce, Jan, Donna, Pat, Mary, and Theresa Van Deraa; Godchild, Mike Hartzheim; Marvin’s parents: Martin & Minnie Van Deraa; brothers-in Law: Donald, James, Martin Jr., Jerry, and Paul Reichard, John Schmitz, Donald Huben, Marvin VandeVoort, and Randy Moehr; sisters-in-law: Baby Barbara (died at birth), Roseann Huben, Elizabeth Schmitz, Raenie Van Deraa, and Barbara Moehr; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home Kaukauna Location, 2401 Fieldcrest Drive, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. A vigil service will conclude the evening. Visitation will continue on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, St. Mary Site, 119 W. 7th Street, Kaukauna, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Liturgy at 12:00 noon. Fr. Luke Ferris will officiate. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery.  

We extend a special thank you to the family members & friends for their help in caring for mom for 1 ½ years. Giving up their free time. A big thank you to Visiting Angels for taking care of mom’s needs. And to the Hospice Nurses for being there every day.