Barbara Alice Van Ryzin

Barbara Alice Van Ryzin
Age 65, born to eternal life surrounded by her loving family on September 9, 2002. She was born on March 5, 1937 the daughter of the late Erwin J. and Florence Kufner (Hawley), and was a lifelong resident of Appleton. Barbara married David Van Ryzin on May 10, 1958 and they enjoyed 44 wonderful years together. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and a lifelong member of St. Therese Catholic Church of Appleton where she volunteered as a parish council member, past president of the church’s Octoberfest; she was also a religious education teacher. Barbara dedicated her life to taking care of others. Her passion was literacy education. She served as Associate Director of Literacy Education Services Inc., in addition to over 20 years as a volunteer tutor. Her many other accomplishments include: serving as a parent aide and birthing coach for unwed mothers, mentoring immigrants to become productive U.S. citizens, and with her husband, opening their home to various exchange students from other countries, and working with developmentally disabled through Agape.
She is survived by her husband, David, daughters Pamela (Kim) Beck, Michelle (Erick) Thompsen, sons Bruce (Patty) Van Ryzin, Jeff Van Ryzin, and Steve (Dee) Van Ryzin; six grandchildren: Jacob, Joshua, Troy, Jack, Ben, and Grace; brothers and sisters: Mary Louise (Norm) Van Heuklon, Jean Wojahn, Janet (Donald) Warner, Yvonne (Ernest) Meulemans, John Kufner, and James (Glenda) Kufner and sister-in-law Margaret Kufner . Further survived by husband’s family, Roger (Kathy) Van Ryzin, Dori Van Eperen(fiancée Al Birkholz), Sharon (Norbert) Johnson, life long friend Mary Gillespie and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brothers: Erwin and Paul Kufner, sisters: Rita Tedlund, Joan Sanders, Margaret Kufner, brothers-in-law Bud Tedlund, Robert Wojahn and Terry Van Ryzin.
A Funeral Liturgy will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2002 at St. Therese Catholic Church (213 E. Wisconsin Ave.) at 11:00 AM with Father Bill Hoffman officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday at the funeral home from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a vigil service at 7:30 PM, and again one hour prior to the service before mass. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established.