Anthony Van Wychen

Anthony Van Wychen, age 94, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2017 at St. Paul Villa in Kaukauna. Tony was born on December 31, 1922 in Kaukauna, son of the late Henry and Anna (Stiltjes) Van Wychen. On June 4, 1946 he was united in marriage to Lillian Johanna Van Hoof at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Freedom; they celebrated 70 years of marriage this past summer. Tony grew up on the family farm on Golden Glow Road in Freedom, Wisconsin. He was the sixth of nine boys born in the family. Though there was always much to be done around the farm and house, the Van Wychen boys always found time for hunting and fishing.

Tony's love for hunting and fishing continued throughout his life. He and his brothers built a cabin in Athelstane, Wisconsin from the wood that they harvested from their land. He spent many deer hunting seasons there with his brothers, sons and extended family. Beyond the farm, Tony's work life began and ended at the same place: Thilmany Pulp & Paper Company in Kaukauna. He began work there when he was 23 years old and retired at the age of 62. For 40 years, Tony and Lillian spent as much of their summers 'Up North' as possible; 30 of those years were spent at a cottage on Crooked Lake where Tony enjoyed fishing during the day and playing cards (sheepshead) at night.

Tony was a kind and fair man who held his Catholic faith dear to his heart. In his retirement years, he attended mass daily and often sung in the church choir. He said four rosaries the morning of the day he died. Tony was a man that was there to help his neighbor, whether they were born in the Unites States, Laos or some other place. He was a good father and a good husband and a great bear-hugging grandpa.

Tony will be sadly missed by his wife of 70 years: Lillian Van Wychen. He will be lovingly remembered by his children: Donna (Ken) Lopas of Combined Locks, Joan (Jay) Weiland of Fond du Lac, Dan (Mary) Van Wychen of Wisconsin Rapids, Mike (Jean) Van Wychen of Kaukauna, and Jeff (Kathleen) Van Wychen of Minneapolis. He will be forever cherished by his 11 grandchildren: Bob, Lori, Kim, Corri, Erin, Brad, Katie, Brian, Kevin, Mark and Adam; and his 16 great grandchildren. Tony is also survived by his brothers Rich (Betty) Van Wychen and Melvin Van Wychen and his sisters-in-laws Edna Van Wychen, Marian Ragen, Ann De Coster and Liz Van Hoof.

In addition to his parents, mother and father-in-law, John and Rose (Green) Van Hoof, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Anton, his brothers: Pete (Hattie) Van Wychen, Norb (Eileen) Van Wychen, John (Hattie) Van Wychen, Jerry Van Wychen, and Bill (Bernice) Van Wychen; a sister-in-law: Millie Van Wychen; and brothers and sister-in-law: Joe (Cathy) Van Hoof, Don Van Hoof, Larry De Coster, Ronald 'Red' Ragen, and Norb Van Hoof.

The funeral liturgy for Tony will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer Street in Kaukauna, with Fr. Tom Pomeroy officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Family and friends are invited to gather directly at the church on Thursday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service.