James J. Van Asten

James (Jim) John Van Asten, age 85, unexpectedly passed away on October 18, 2021.

Jim was born July 25, 1936, to the late John H. and Martha (Coonen) Van Asten.  He graduated from St. John High School in Little Chute in 1954.  He married Bernice Blazek on May 12, 1962.  Together they had five children, 11 grandchildren and a great grandchild on the way.

Jim served in the National Guard, Post 258, for eight years and was a machinist by trade for 42 years.  Many people knew him as the man with the wooden bicycle in the community parades or the organizer of sheepshead card games several time a week.  His 11 brothers and sisters could always count on him to bring a funny joke to each family party.

Throughout his life, Jim kept busy.  He had owned a boat and taught his kids and their friends how to waterski.  He and his wife used to square dance and bowl and there were many family volleyball games.  Jim was a devoted Catholic and involved himself in church activities.  He made home-made gifts for his family, worked in his yard and gardens, cheered for the Packers, and there was always a jigsaw puzzle he was piecing together.  He collected coins, stamps, rocks, you name it. And to the end, whenever the weather was nice, he was riding and making his own trails on his bicycle.

Jim is survived by his wife, Bernice, and their five children: Debbie (Tim) Woods, Tim, Terry, Todd (Paula) and Troy (Brittney).  He is further survived by 11 grandchildren: James, Andrew, Raleigh, Kaz (Alyssa), Blaine, Vaili (Matt) Ralston, Leilani, Sydney, Isabelle, Ivy and Revecca; Siblings: Grace Gebhardt, Ivo (Nonie) Van Asten, Leroy (Mary) Van Asten, John E (Jane) Van Asten, Joyce (Phil) Bruecker, and Marcia (Ron) Siebers; sisters-in-law: Romunda Van Asten, Anna Marie Van Asten and Pat Garvey.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John H. and Martha (Coonen) Van Asten; siblings: Sister Cyril Marie, Donald, Gerald (Mary Jane), Betty (Roy) Bast, Cyril and Ken; and his daughter-in-law, Pam (Fuerst) Van Asten.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Jim at 11 AM on Monday, October 25, 2021 at  St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1810 N. McDonald St., Appleton. Family and friends may visit at the church from 9 AM to the time of the mass. Military Honors will follow.

Jim loved life and family and will be greatly missed by many.

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