Henry ''Hank'' Van Eperen

Van Eperen, Henry Joseph
“Hank”
Kaukauna, Formerly of Kimberly

Age 79, died peacefully from a lengthy illness on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at St. Paul Home. He was born to the late Walter and Marie (Vanden Boogaard) Van Eperen in Kimberly on April 7, 1923. In 1941 he graduated from Kimberly High School. After high school, he fought for his country by volunteering for the United States Navy during WWII. After he returned from the war, he met Theresa Kropidlowski and married her at St. John’s Catholic Church in Menasha on September 6, 1947. They celebrated 54 years of wedded bliss. Hank was the first Schaeffer Dairy milk carrier in Kimberly, which he enjoyed doing for many years. He later went to work at the Post -Crescent as the mailroom supervisor for 26 years. As a young man, Hank liked to fish. In later years, he liked to garden, landscape, and feed the birds. He also enjoyed watching his favorite team, the Chicago Cubs, and taking annual trips to Las Vegas. Every morning Hank liked to drink coffee with buddies at the Kimberly Pharmacy. He was a member of American Legion Post #60 in Kimberly.

Hank is survived by his wife Theresa, two sons: Raymond (Cindy) Van Eperen of Appleton and Thomas (Stacy) Van Eperen Slinger; a daughter, Lynn Marie (John) Hopfensperger of Neenah; six grandchildren: Amy and Eric Hopfensperger; Tom, Theresa, Adam and Cory Van Eperen; two brothers: Bernie (Nita) Van Eperen of Appleton and Paul (Barbara) Van Eperen of Kimberly; three sisters: Johanna Diedrick of Kaukauna, Frannie Richter of Burlington, and Louella (Gene) Schultz of Kimberly; brothers-in-law: Bob Green, Gordy Heisel; sisters-in-law: Becky Van Eperen, Rita (Jim) Duford, Esther Vanden Boogaard, Lorraine Borski, Evelyn Van Eperen, and Dori Van Eperen; special friends: Jim Hopfensperger, Carl Vanden Boom, Gene and Alice Chevalier, Roger and Donna Geurden, Deb and Bruce Driessen, and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Hank is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Henry “Butchie” Van Eperen, Jr.; two sisters: Micky Saucer and Leone Green; four brothers: John Van Eperen, Walter (Beverly) Van Eperen, Joe Van Eperen and Raymond Van Eperen; three brothers-in-law, Bob Richter, Buc Johnson and Chester Kropidlowski; sister-in-law, Deana Heisel; a special friend and brother-in-law, Vin Vanden Boogaard, and other relatives and friends.

The funeral liturgy will be at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2002, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 600 East Kimberly Avenue, Kimberly, with Fr. Dennis Bergsbaken officiating. Friends will be received at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Holy Name Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the C.N.A.’s, nurses, and especially Jim at St. Paul home for their compassionate care of Hank.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Hank’s name is being established.

Jansen Fargo Funeral Home
204 East Kimberly Avenue
Kimberly, WI 54136
(920) 788-6202