Thomas Vosters

Thomas Martin Vosters, 89, was called home to eternal life on the morning of January 29, 2025. Surrounded by family, angels picked him up from his home here to deliver him to what he called “the Promised Land”. He affectionately referred to himself as “the Old Boy” and was a shining light in the lives of so many. His journey on earth was marked by love, hard work, and an unwavering, quiet faith in God.

Born on September 13, 1935, in Little Chute, Tom was the twelfth of thirteen children born to Joseph and Petronella “Nellie” (Van Asten) Vosters. He graduated from St. John High School in 1955 and married the love of his life, Donna Mae Reynebeau, on June 1, 1957, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church. Together, they built a home filled with laughter, love, and seven wonderful children while he worked at Riverside Paper as a pipefitter. 

Tom found joy in life’s simple treasures—fishing, tending to his tomato plants and contending for best crop with lifelong neighbor and friend Mark, praying for spring, the first robin and wrens, competing with family and friends at cribbage and sheepshead, swimming at the YMCA, and coffee with friends at McDonald's. He loved chicken and chili soup and delivering groceries to family's houses. An avid sports fan, he cheered on the Papermakers, Badgers, Packers, and Brewers, but most of all his grandchildren’s teams, arriving early at every game on his beloved Honda 90 scooter. He really loved black licorice, chocolate malts, fast-pitch softball at Sunset Park, a good John Wayne Western movie, rummage sales, coupons, and hot buys. He spent countless hours in his garage fixing everybody’s everything, building bird coops and admiring his treasures while listening to Johnny Cash and polkas on his custom 8-track setup. 

More than anything, Tom loved to make people laugh. He was always ready with a joke, hitting the punchline at just the right moment—often pulling a folded-up page of jokes from his pocket, ensuring he never ran out of material. He was a man of quiet strength and deep wisdom, leading by example and living his faith with daily Mass and rosary. His generosity was beyond measure. 

Tom leaves behind his cherished wife of 68 years, Donna, his sister Sr. Mary Vosters, OP, and brother Leo (Margie) Vosters. He will be dearly missed by his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Margie Vosters, Darlene (Paul) Bloch, Rocky Reynebeau, and Bonnie (Bruce) Knapp. His legacy lives on through his children: Vicki (Dean) VandenHeuvel, Tim (Suzie) Vosters, Amy (Matt) VandenBoom, Lisa (Mark) Pflum, Steve (Mary) Vosters, Julie Vosters, and Tom Vosters.

Tom’s greatest pride and joy were his 17 grandchildren: Kate (Ben) Apodaca, Matt VandenHeuvel, Sam (Kirsten) VandenHeuvel, Patrick Vosters, Emma Vosters, Rachel Vosters, Tim (Kristin) VandenBoom, Dan (Carisa) VandenBoom, Zach Pflum, Jake (Faith) Pflum, Nick Pflum, Tori (Curt) Wojahn, Maggie (Britt) Peerenboom, Hannah Peerenboom, Luke Vosters, Ben Vosters, and John Vosters. Their families include 11 (and a half!) great-grandchildren: Julia Apodaca, Frankie, Evie, Rocky, and Olivia VandenBoom, Noah and Rosie VandenBoom, Willow and Baby Pflum, Ty, Carson, and Cohen Wojahn.

A funeral liturgy to celebrate Tom’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Holy Spirit Parish, 600 Kimberly Avenue, with Fr. Carl Schmitt officiating. Visitation will take place at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the caregivers at Heartland Hospice and the dear family and friends who made Tom’s final days so peaceful and full of love. And also a heartfelt thank you to Dad's beloved Dr. Travis Kroner and all the medical professionals that have cared for him on his path to heaven. 

Uncle Leo, your stories, prayers, and quiet moments with Dad meant the world to him and us. Thank you for being the best little brother.

Dad, you told the doctor that all you wanted for Christmas was one more Christmas. 

Your last words: Beautiful, Wonderful…I Love You!

Thank you, Lord, for giving us this very special Husband, Dad and Grandpa. We are truly blessed.

In lieu of flowers, you will find resting spots created in some of his favorite places.