Dennis L. Hooyman

On Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Froedtert Medical Center, our loving husband, guiding father, Papa choo choo, the teddy bear with his giant compassionate heart went to his eternal home in Heaven.    Dennis was born on November 16, 1946 to the late Leo and Lorraine (Hermsen) Hooyman.  After graduating from Kimberly High School in 1965, Dennis Hooyman was enlisted into the United States Army on February 10, 1966.  He achieved the rank of Specialist and his occupation was a Helicopter Mechanic at Fort Hood Texas.  He received Honorable Discharge on February 9, 1968 with a good conduct medal.

On August 29, 1969, Dennis married his “sugar babe” Jane Vandenberg of Little Chute.  Dennis and Jane were blessed with two daughters, Melanie (Jonathan) Bates of Green Bay and Tricia (Shawn) Pavlons of Grafton.   Dennis spent their growing up years taking the family camping and on vacation adventures and misadventures singing to Neil Diamond’s song “America”.  He was a silly man with a fantastic sense of humor.

Denny worked for Kimberly Clark until 1976 when a family friend saw his potential and recommended a new career opportunity where he could assist people with their financial needs.  Dennis began his new career selling insurance policies and later grew into financial planning.  He received and/or was selected for several awards based on his strong work ethic and empathy for his clients.  He retired from M & I Bank Appleton (now BMO Harris) in 2010.

In his retirement, Dennis showed Jane the country through many travels.  One of their favorite places to visit was The Villages in Florida.  He enjoyed keeping in contact with his multitude of friends to include clients he worked with over the years.  Denny loved to be “up north” in the Eagle River and Minocqua area and he enjoyed driving his pontoon, fishing, taking road trips and he took it upon himself to make sure the birds and squirrels visiting his backyard did not starve.

On September 11, 2019, Dennis was blessed to participate in the Old Glory Honor Flight from Appleton to Washington D.C.  His son in law Jon proudly escorted Dennis.  His brother Karl and brother-in-law Tom were also honored veterans on this flight.

Left here on earth to cherish the memories of Dennis are his wife of 52 years Jane, daughters Melanie (Jonathan) Bates and Tricia (Shawn) Pavlons, his grandchildren Christopher, Alyssa & Lucas, his great granddaughter Emma, and his “adapted” daughter Michelle Lippincott.  Dennis’s siblings Gary (Betty Jo) Hooyman, Karl (Barb) Hooyman, Mary (Carl) Ness, Rose (Chris) Conner, Jeff (Barb) Hooyman, Cheryl (John) Golden and brother-in-law Allen (Jeanne) Lamers.  Jane’s family Jean (Tom) Langenhuizen, Ron (Chris Keyes) Vandenberg, Tom (Ann) Vandenberg, Beth (Frank) Sprangers and sister-in-law Nancy Vandenberg along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.

Dennis was preceded in death by his Parents, his sisters Joanne (Carl) Helms, Elaine Lamers and his in laws Gordon (Lucille) Vandenberg and John Vandenberg.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 5 PM for Dennis on Friday, December 10, 2021 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Community, 323 Pine St., Little Chute, WI 54140 by Rev. Fr. Ronald Belitz. Family and friends may visit at the church from 3 PM to the time of mass. Full Army Military Honors will follow.

The family would like to thank the staff and physicians at St. Elizabeth Hospital and Froedtert Hospital for their support to our family and the compassionate care given to Dennis.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dennis’s memory to the Old Glory Honor Flight or St. John Nepomucene Food Pantry. Please leave a special message or condolences for Dennis’ family below.