Peter A. Van Dera

Peter Van Dera, age 89, of Freedom, passed away at the Jack and Engrid Meng Unity Hospice in De Pere on Sunday, May 26, 2013 with his family by his side. He was born on May 10, 1924 in the Town of Vandenbroek, the son of the late William and Mary (Weyenberg) Van Dera. Peter served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII. On November 25, 1948, Peter married Elaine Hietpas at St. John Catholic Church in Little Chute. She preceded him in death on April 15, 1976. He worked over 40 years at the Kimberly Mill, retiring in 1989. Peter was a Charter member of the Fox River Beagle Club, and loved square dancing, and polkas. He proudly attended the Stars and Stripes Veterans Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in July of 2012. Many knew him as a very outgoing man, who always had a good joke to share that made everyone laugh. He always said, “If you don't make your own fun, you're not going to have any.”

Peter is survived by his children: Carl (Vicki) Van Dera, Diane (Mark) Romenesko, Butch (Geneva) Van Dera, Steve (Gail) Van Dera, Nancy (Scott) Bornemann, and Cheryl (Todd) Poellet; daughter-in-law: Mary Van Dera; grandchildren: Carl and Craig Van Dera, and Kristy (Timothy) Barr; Dana (fiancé Stan Schreiber) Romenesko, Dawn Romenesko, Liz Romenesko; Adam (Rachel Trower) Van Dera, Lee, and Brad Van Dera; Melissa (Jim) Marvin and Nick (Stacy Koehnke) Van Dera; Jeremy (Amanda Bolwerk) Van Dera, Jenna (Chris Carlson) Van Dera, and Jesse (fiancée Staci Bogenschutz) Van Dera; Derek Bornemann and Brittany (Geoffrey Cook) Bornemann; Benjamin and Nathan “Frank” Poellet; great grandchildren: Preston and Dylan Marvin; and Indie “Sweetie Pie” Cook; his sister and best friend: Loretta Nackers; sisters-in-law: Jean Van Dera, June Van Dera, Lois (Clayton) Liebergen, Alice (Leo) Nackers, Sr. Germaine Hietpas O.P.; brothers-in-law: Merlin (Rose) Hietpas, Ken (Irene) Hietpas, Omar Hietpas and Peter's special friend, Glenna Handschke. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Peter was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine Van Dera; son, Clyde Van Dera; and brothers: Henry (Blanche) Van Dera, Ted Van Dera, and Robert Van Dera; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Victor Nackers, Paul (Margaret) Hietpas, Roger (Pat) Hietpas, Irene (Norbert) Roofers; Eugene (Susan) Hietpas, Shirley Hietpas and infant Vernon Hietpas.

The funeral liturgy for Peter will be held at 12:00 pm on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Freedom. Fr. Dan Felton will be officiating. Interment will take place at St. John Catholic Cemetery in Little Chute. The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday at the church from 10:00 am until the time of mass. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Online condolences can be expressed at www.wichmannfargo.com.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Scott Kohlbeck and his staff for their years of exceptional care and compassion shown to Peter; and to the Unity Hospice Residence Staff for their kindness and compassion and for providing our father with a peaceful home during his final days.

Pete's Points to Ponder: “You can't tell how far a frog will jump by just looking at it.”