Clarence Aloysius Vande Hei, 98, of De Pere, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2015. The son of the late George and Anna (Cornelissen) Vande Hei was born on September 6, 1917. On July 17, 1941 he married the former Elizabeth "Betty" McCabe at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Wrightstown. She preceded him in death on September 7, 2007. Clarence worked at Fort Howard Paper Company as a Fork lift Operator for 30 years before retiring in 1980. He was a lifelong member of the former St. Boniface Catholic Church, now Our Lady of Lourdes, a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and a past member of the Golden Age Club. In his earlier years, Clarence enjoyed fishing as well as playing cards, and developed a love for gardening that lasted throughout his life time. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Clarence is survived by his children, Donald (Clara Lynn) Vande Hei, Daniel (Judy) Vande Hei, Karen Krause, Patti (Pat McGuire) Vande Hei, Michael (Joanne) Vande Hei, David (Ann) Vande Hei, Chuck (Debbie) Vande Hei, Rick (Kris) Vande Hei, Jayne (Mike) Jensen; 26 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren, a sister, Leona Carlin; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of Betty; his parents; a son, William; son in law; Marvin Krause, two sisters, Nellie Vande Hei and Mayme Calaway; eight brothers, Christian, Sylvester, Henry, Albert, Cornelius, Arthur, George, and Omer.
Friends and family are encouraged to gather at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Family, corner of Lourdes Avenue and Suburban Drive, from 9:00am until 11:30am on Thursday September 17, 2015 when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30am with Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem, officiating. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Vande Hei family.
The family would like to thank Artisan Assisted Living, as well as Kayla from AseraCare Hospice for all their care and concern shown to Clarence and the family.