Laura E. Van Nuland

VanNuland Arndt, Laura E.
Appleton

Devoted Wife, Mother and Grandmother, Laura Elizabeth Arndt VanNuland, 9l,
Waukesha, died peacefully on March 22, 2006 under the tender care of Linden Grove Elder Care and Season’s Hospice Center from a complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
Laura, (Toots) was born November 7, 1914 in Wyoming Township, Waupaca County, Wisconsin, daughter of Gustav Kitzman and Anna (Barkholtz) Kitzman. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Big Falls, Wisconsin. She attended West Hill Grade School, Big Falls and Tigerton High School in Tigerton.
On June 16, 1934, Laura became the bride of Arthur G. (Tuffy) Arndt. Confiding in only her Mother, she and Arthur eloped and married in Chicago, Ill. During the war, while “Tuffy” worked in the Navy yards in Washington D.C., Laura attended the School of Cosmetology and worked with her sister Evelyn in a Beauty Shop in the D.C. area. Upon their return to Big Falls, “Toots” and “Tuffy” operated the Big Falls Store. Laura was an active member of the Big Falls VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the Ladies Aide at St. Peter’s Church. After the death of her husband in 1968, Laura continued to operate the store.
On June 7th, 1969, Laura married Jacob H. VanNuland at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Tigerton, Wisconsin. Jake and Laura operated the Tigerton Bowling Lanes, in Tigerton and raised Christmas trees in the Tigerton area until their retirement, at which time they moved to Lehigh Acres, Florida. They enjoyed many happy years there, taking great pleasure in entertaining many friends and relatives in their Florida home during the winter months. They also enjoyed visiting and traveling to many places, including Europe and Hawaii. During their final years together, Jake and Laura lived in Freedom, Wisconsin and the Renaissance Assisted Living Home in Appleton until Jacob’s death in 1999. In 1999, Laura moved to the Linden Grove Elder Care Home in Waukesha, Wisconsin to be near her daughter, Shirley. She remained there until her death.

Laura is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, sons, Dennis Arndt, and Richard VanNuland, daughter-in-law, Florence VanNuland, grandsons, Jeffrey Arndt, Wayne Beirstaker, and Donald VanNuland, sisters, Elenor Kitzman and Evelyn Chiles, an infant brother, and brothers, Arnold, Alfred, Edward, Wilbert, Milton, Victor and Herbert Kitzman.

Laura is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Shirley and James Proesel, Waterford, daughter-in-law and husband, Beverly and James Stoltz, Big Falls, and grandchildren, Bruce Proesel, David Proesel, Leiann Bachand, James Proesel Jr., Douglas Arndt, Dennis Arndt Jr., Denise Arndt, Thomas Arndt, Becky Popp, Karla Arndt, her sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Fritz Zimmerman, Big Falls, and her brother, Gerhart Kitzman, Embarrass.

She is further survived by Jacob’s family, son, James VanNuland, San Jose, California, daughters and sons-in-law, Joan and Donald Wetzel, Appleton, Rita and Donald Zalewski, Marquette, Michigan, RoseMary and Philip Salzman, Wild Rose, Betty VanNuland, West Bend and grandchildren, Patrick VanNuland, Raymond VanNuland, Thomas VanNuland, Michael VanNuland, Barbara Morgenstern, Maria Ireton, Ann Deckers, Joseph Wetzel, Linda VandeLoo, Lisa Bloedorn, Brenda Gehrt, Tami Zalewski, Stephen Zalewski, Philip Salzman Jr., John Salzman, Andreas Salzman, Lisa Hardy, Shannon Fauster, and Karen Ugarte. Laura is also survived by 47 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Nellie VanNuland, Marie VanNuland, Kimberly, Theresa and Don Lamers, Sun Prairie and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation and the Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1810 N. McDonald Street, Appleton, on Tuesday, March 28, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will be in the Big Falls Cemetery, Big Falls, on Wednesday, March 29, 2006.

We would like to thank the staff at Linden Grove Elder Care and The Season’s Hospice staff for their tender and loving care given to our Mother during her last years. You have been Laura’s Angels and we are eternally grateful. A warm thank you to Father Falk and the staff of St. Thomas More Parish for your loving words and compassion for both our Mother and Father when we needed you most.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorials be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association of Wisconsin.

Laura was a loving and gentle lady. She touched everyone she met with kindness and tenderness. Our lives have been made richer for her presence among us.

Dear Mom, you have been a blessing in our lives. We know you were a good and faithful servant. We rejoice in the assurance that you are in the presence of the Lord. We Love You, Your Family.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231