Rich Van Wychen

Rich Van Wychen, age 95 of Kaukauna, passed away quietly at his home early on Friday, April 16, 2021. Rich was born in Freedom on June 29, 1925, son of the late Henry and Anna (Stiltjes) Van Wychen. He attended school in Freedom, on May 29, 1948, married Elizabeth “Betty” DeBruin. As a young man, he worked a few years at Thilmany, and then was a self-employed home builder until his retirement in 1987. He loved gardening, fishing, hunting, golfing, bowling, playing cards, and spending time at the cottage on Crooked Lake. He had served his country as a member of the United States Navy from 1944 until 1946. He was a former Boy Scout leader and was a member of the Wrightstown American Legion Post.

He leaves behind his loving wife of seventy-two years, Betty Van Wychen of Kaukauna; six children: David (Mary) Van Wychen of Kaukauna, Nancy (Tom) Durkee of St. Germain, Darlene (Greg) Hoffman of Appleton, Linda (Jeff) Olson of Crivitz, Larry (Bonnie) Van Wychen of Kaukauna, and Carol (Curt) Hoffman of Crivitz. There are also twenty-one grandchildren and thirty-three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother: Melvin Van Wychen and a sister-in-law Lillian Van Wychen. Rich was preceded in death by his parents, a son Raymond, and siblings Norbert (Eileen), Jerome (Edna) William (Bernice) Peter (Hattie), John (Hattie) and Tony Van Wychen, as well as many in-laws, other relatives and friends.

The funeral liturgy for Rich will be held at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at St. Katharine Drexel Parish – St. Mary Church, located at 119 W. 7th Street in Kaukauna, with Fr. Donald Everts officiating. Military honors will take place at the church following the service and burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will take place directly at the church on Tuesday morning from 10:00 AM until the hour of the mass.

The family would like to thank to Dr. Greg Johnson, the Right At Home caregivers, and the entire hospice staff for their compassion, kindness, and guidance.