Tom Vande Hey

Thomas S. Vande Hey, age 48, went to his peaceful eternal home with Jesus on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the hour of the Divine Mercy surrounded by his loving family. Tom was born December 16, 1975, a devoted son to Ken and Jan (Salm) Vande Hey. Tom was a peaceful, generous soul with a heart of gold who was willing to help family and friends at any time, and always treated others as VIPs - “Yes, you are.” He loved to be outdoors hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, cutting wood, walking in the woods, and spending time with his dad, brothers, and beloved son, Zac. Tom enjoyed playing slappy and cribbage with family and liked to touch base with his dad, Ken (Carol) every day. Tom was known by friends and family as “Plumber,” “Cowboy,” and “Tommy.” 

Tom lived his life in Kaukauna, WI, growing up with three brothers and one sister, and having 15 nieces and nephews - Joe (Lauree) Vande Hey, children: Madison, Augusta (Jackson), Ryane, Joseph, Faith, Luke; Becky (Stephan) Walker, children: Gabriel, Grace, Marie; Mark (Becky) Vande Hey, children: McKenna, David; and James (Susan) Vande Hey, children: Vanessa (Nicholas), Cole (Brooke), Andrew, Ali. Tom was the father of Zac, husband of Selene Hertz, and stepfather to her daughter Taygan Krebs. Tom was loved by a large extended family with many Salm and Vande Hey aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Tom was preceded in death by some very special people in his life including his mother, Jan, his grandparents Roman and Marie Salm and Ernest and Anna Jane Vande Hey, and Barb Hertz, as well as several aunts and uncles.

Special thanks to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center ER, ICU, and hospice medical teams for the amazing care and support they provided Tom and his family. Tom was able to gift his beautiful blue eyes, heart valves, bones, and tissues to many people to improve their quality of life.  

Visitation will be at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 309 Desnoyer Street, Kaukauna, on Thursday, May 23 from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. and Friday, May 24, 2024 from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass at noon. Interment will be in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

May you find the peace you so desired in the arms of Jesus our Savior, Tom, and may you know how much you were loved by family and friends. We wish you Jesus!