Martin ''Ben'' De Bruin

DeBruin, Martin
''Ben''
525 W. 9th Street
Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Age 86, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2002, at Cherry Meadows Hospice in Appleton. Ben was born in the town of Buchanan on the DeBruin Homestead November 19, 1915, son of the late Henry and Henrietta DeBruin. On July 26, 1938, he married the former Bernetta Schydzik at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Kaukauna where they have been faithful lifelong members. Ben and Bernetta observed their 50th wedding anniversary in 1988 by renewing their vows at St. Mary's, and last July they joyfully celebrated with family their 63rd year of marriage. For nearly 42 years, Ben worked as a crane operator in the woodyard at Thilmany Pulp and Paper where he was a longtime member of Union Local #147. Many will remember him as an avid gardener, who enjoyed sharing his annual harvest with family and friends. Ben's gardening skills were highlighted with his famous Horseradish Recipe, which has been passed on to the next younger generation. Ben also enjoyed bus trips, playing cards, hunting, fishing, designing fishing lures, and building ice-fishing tip-ups. He was especially proud of his one-handed fish-line-tying device, which allows fishermen to attach lures and hooks using only one hand. He harvested hickory nuts and wiled away many winter nights shucking, cracking, and picking them. Those nuts that did not end up in Bernetta's baking creations were given away to friends and relatives. Ben was a great collector and found a place in his garage to store anything of value–and it's still there. He enjoyed time spent kibitzing the family homestead farm with brother Joe and nephew Don DeBruin. For the last 10 years, the highlight of Ben's and Bernetta's enjoyment was time spent with friends at the Appleton Medical Center Cardiac Rehabilitation program. In his later years, Ben thoroughly enjoyed the company of his six great grandchildren. At the age of 82, Ben, along with his wife Bernetta, took their first airplane ride to observe granddaughter Denise's marriage in Orlando, Florida.

Ben is survived by his wife of 63 years: Bernetta DeBruin of Kaukauna; two sons Bob (Rita) DeBruin of Kaukauna, and Dennis (Debbie) DeBruin of Menasha; three grandchildren of whom he thought the world: Beth (Mark) Specht of Kaukauna; Tim (Sarah) DeBruin of Appleton; and Denise (Jay) Hatcher of Orlando, Florida; six great grandchildren: Nicole and Ben Specht, and William, Tristan, Olivia, and Emelyne DeBruin; a sister: Germaine (Louis) Wyngaard of Kaukauna; a brother-in-law: Ed Schug of Sheboyan; a special nephew: Don DeBruin of Kaukauna, who offered so much assistance to the family in recent times; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Martha Schug, Anna (Frank) Fischer, Bernetta (William) Jude, Marie (Leo) Gillen, Nellie (Cliff) Hughes, and Imelda (Don) Huhn, and brothers Peter (Vi) DeBruin, Edward DeBruin, and Joe (Marge) DeBruin; a great granddaughter, Hannah Olivia DeBruin who we are sure is in his arms at the family Sheepshead card game; a sister-in-law, Grace (Harold) Barker, and a brother-in-law Ervin (Pearl) Schydzik.

Special thanks to Sister Francine, Fr. Bob Udulutsch, and Fr. Irvin Udulutsch and the Hospice nurses and volunteers, especially Kelly, Jim, and Tom. The family also thanks Cherry Meadows Hospice, especially Chris and Sandy for their kindness and compassionate care during Ben's final days. Bernetta especially appreciates the special care and concern of neighbors Jim and Loretta Weyers and Helen Brooks.

The funeral liturgy will be held at 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 22, 2002, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 119 W. Seventh Street, Kaukauna, with Fr. Robert A. Udulutsch, O.F.M.Cap. officiating. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 3:00 until the time of the mass. Burial will be in the parish cemetery on Tuesday, April 23, 2002.

A memorial fund is being established.

Fargo Funeral Home
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna, WI 54130
(920) 766-6200