Anne A. Van Herwynen

Anne Van Herwynen completed her long journey of life from Holland to Appleton to eternal paradise on February 8, 2023, with her loving family by her side.  Her journey started on January 12, 1927 in Zevenaar, Holland.  On June 2, 1959 , Anne and her husband Peter along with their 2 children, Dorothy and Andreas, arrived in the New York Harbor from Maastricht on the SS Waterman.  They then settled in Appleton where Anne and her family became part of the local Dutch community of family and friends.

Within 4 years of landing ashore, Anne and Peter established their long residence on Byrd Street, just north of Appleton Memorial Hospital (Theda Care).  Soon after, the ever busy Anne, sought more to do. She hopped on her bike to seek a job at the hospital and within hours was offered her first job as a nurses aid to start her 27 year career, ending as the Director of the Sleep Lab.

In retirement, Anne and Peter loved to travel, both in Wisconsin and abroad.  Family and friends meant everything to Anne.  Her strong character left an impression on everyone in a most memorable way.  Family meals prepared by Anne are still deeply cherished and missed. Her love of cooking included many years of heading up the Dutch Food Booth at the annual Xavier Food Fair.  Dutch food and Dutch heritage filled their unique, small home.

Anne was always available to listen and offer her wise guidance from her grandmother Jansen in Holland. Anne was never hesitant to direct her wisdom in a loving way to any open ear and many closed ears as well! Anne’s character and resolve was formed by her grandmother and evident in assisting the Dutch resistance in World War II.

Anne loved to recount stories of her life in Holland and how it impacted her life back home and here in Appleton.   With the help of her dear friend, Dr. Lowell Peterson, her stories made their way into a book of her memoirs, “Wooden Shoes to Cheesehead”, had has been published and printed twice to date.

Anne was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Peter, her parents, grandparents, in-laws, Jansen Family cousins and many other relatives in Holland.

Anne is survived by her children, Dorothy (David) Nelson, Andreas (Catherine) Van Herwynen and Michael (Kelli Konecny) Van Herwynen, grandchildren, Amanda Nelson (Charles) Tollefsen, and Matthew (Ryleigh) Nelson, nieces and nephews, special friends Shirley and Richard Procnow, Dr. Lowell Peterson, Drs. Jack Anderson, Sr. and Jack Anderson Jr. and Connie Kuschel.  The family would like to thank the staff and friends at Appleton Retirement Community Center for the love and care of Anne.

Rest in Peace Anne, we all want to say to you, “Tot ziens and ik houd van je!”

The funeral liturgy for Anne will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, located at 1810 N. McDonald Street in Appleton, with Fr. Mark Mleziva  officiating.  She will be placed at rest at Highland Memorial Park, near to her dear husband Peter. Visitation will take place directly at the church on Saturday, from 12:00 Noon until the time of services at 2:00 PM.