Robert "Bob" Van Elzen

We are saddened to announce the death of Robert J. Van Elzen, age 86 of Harrison, WI. Bob, aka, Grandpa Bob, Bobby, Bobert, Pie, Bunny, quality Bob, Fritter, Sauce, step and a half, Bob Van Apple, Dad Wad and Neil Diamond among others, was born to John and Angela Van Elzen on March 18, 1939, the 7th of 8 children. He came into this world shortly after his identical twin Wilfred “Bill”. At age 15 months, Bob contracted poliomyelitis which left him with physical limitations but definitely no limitations of the spirit! Despite many hospitalizations and operations, Bob did not let this keep him from a full life and participated in activities as he could. Summer volleyball was a highlight of his with family and friends.

Bob graduated from Kimberly High School in 1958 and earned an associate degree in business from the Appleton School of Vocational and Adult Education in 1960 with a minor in Ping Pong. He began working at his family’s apple orchard as a teenager and then became a partner with his oldest brother Donald in 1969 when they took over from their parents who had started the business in Kimberly in 1939, the Spring he was born.

Bob met his wife, Mary Redfield, during the Fall of 1967 while working the scoreboard at a CYO basketball game in Kimberly. His youthful good looks caused Mary to think he was a high school student although he was 27. They met again in late 1967 and began dating and by Valentine’s Day they were engaged. They married on January 4, 1969 at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Neenah. They became parents of Sherry, in 1969 and Tony, in 1972. The couple lived by the orchard for 30 years, making many fond memories. They employed many relatives, neighbors, friends and people who became friends. In 2000, Bob decided to retire, they sold the business and moved to the town of Harrison.

Bob was a proud sponsor of many sports teams in the Kimberly area. He was an avid sports fan and loved to listen to Bob Uecker and the Brewers or Harry Carey and the Cubs. Through his godparents, Jake and Loretta Kamps, he attended many Packer games including the “ice bowl”. He loved to travel by car and the couple were able to travel to almost all 50 states. He also went on cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska and Hawaii. The couple enjoyed many years of camping with Mary’s sisters and brothers-in-law all over Wisconsin. Many trips were made to Las Vegas and Laughlin, NV.  Over the years he had 39 Royal Flushes on the nickel video poker machines. For 20 years, Mary and Bob wintered at Superstition Sunrise RV Resort in Apache Junction, AZ along with two of Mary’s sisters and their husbands. In 2018 he became a resident of Gardenview Assisted Living in Fox Crossing, WI on Midway Rd.

Music was a huge part of Bob’s life. He loved all genres from Country to Opera. He made countless cassettes and CDs for friends and family and put on many a concert in his music room at the homestead or the living room in their new condo. His love of music impacted his children and grandchildren, especially his son Tony, who made it his career.

Bob is survived by his wife Mary, his daughter, Sherry (Rich) Hopfensperger of Pickett, WI, his son, Tony Van Elzen, of New Orleans, LA, and his grandchildren, Kate and Karoline Hopfensperger. He is further survived by his siblings: Donald, Tom and Bill (Sandy) and Donna Simon, and sister-in-law Shirley (Roger, deceased) Van Elzen of AL, his brother-in-law, Len Rusch, sisters-in-law Barbara (Dave) Spoehr, Margie (Mike) Reetz, Patricia Angell, Janice Redfield and Eileen (Pete) Mahoney. He is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Angela, his in-laws, Alta and Marcella Redfield, his siblings, Delores and husband Emil Koller, Roger and wife Jan Van Elzen, Richard and wife Gloria Van Elzen, sisters-in-law, Rita Van Elzen, Yvonne Van Elzen, Ellen Rusch and brothers-in-law, Gene Simon and Gary Angell, nephews, Greg Koller, Mark and Patrick Van Elzen and Tim Rusch, nieces, Linda Koller-Jackson and Barbara Timm. 

The family would like to thank Gardenview Assisted Living and their staff for the loving care given to Bob over the past almost seven years as his post-Polio, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s progressed. They would also like to thank Aseracare Hospice who monitored Bob’s progress and made sure he left this world as gently as possible.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at St John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 411 Vandenbroek St., Little Chute, WI 54140. Visitation will begin at the church at 2:00 p.m. and will continue until the time of the Mass. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established for various organizations Bob was passionate about.