Dale Van Erem

Dale Arthur VanErem, 81, DePere, unexpectedly passed away at St Vincent Hospital on April 20, 2023. Dale was born on October 25, 1941, to the late Caroline and Arthur VanErem. On October 27, 1962, he married Rita Rottier, the love of his life, at St Boniface Church, DePere. Dale attended St. Francis Grade School and DePere High School. Dale worked at many jobs such as Badgerwood and Green Bay Packaging but he found his lifelong passion in his job with DePere Fire and Rescue. Dale was one of the first paramedics with DePere Fire and Rescue Department and he took great pride in serving his community. So many stories of fires, accidents, and incidents where his cool head, calm words, and fierce determination helped the lives of others. Throughout his entire life, Dale never stopped investing his time into his family. He spent many hours biking with Rita on their tandem bicycle. In addition, Dale spent hundreds of hours supporting his children and grandchildren in their sporting, musical and school events. He served for many years as a volunteer at De Pere Christian Outreach and Feed My Starving Children. When Dale was not with his family, he could be found in his woodshop creating treasures for others and heirlooms for his family. Dale loved family, biking, and serving others.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Dale was survived by four children: Joe (Pam) VanErem, DePere, Marie (Paul) Sauvey, DePere, David (Jodi) VanErem, Green Bay, and Lynn (Lance)Anderson, Englewood, FL; 11 grandchildren: Liz (Neal) Elms, Brittany (Derek) Schrock, and Danielle VanErem, Katie (Peter) Hienz and Colleen Sauvey, Vincent and Veda VanErem, Grace, Hope, Austyn and Bethany Anderson; 6 great grandchildren; Violet, Elia, Avery, Haddon, Mabel and Elijah, brothers and sisters: brothers Clete (Ann) VanErem, Howard (Lynette) VanErem, Tom (Linda) VanErem, Jerry (Debbie) VanErem; brother and sister in laws Geri Rottier, Dick (Mary) Rottier, Janice Rottier, Peck (Joyce) Rottier, Harv (Alice) Rottier, Bob Rottier, Cathy Rottier, and Jean Rottier, and many nieces nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Rita, his parents, Caroline and Arthur VanErem, brother in laws: James Rottier, Bernand Rottier, Bob Goffard, Gerald Rottier and Ray Rottier, and sister in laws, Patricia Goffard, Janice Rottier, and Jean M. Rottier.

Family and friends may call Tuesday, April 25th at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Ave, De Pere from 4 until 8p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 130 St Matthew’s Street, Green Bay from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30. Firefighter Farewell at 10:30. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at church with Father Bob Kabat officiating. Interment at Mt Calvary Cemetery, De Pere. On-line condolences may be expressed to the Van Erem family at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. 

In Lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for Dale’s favorite charity, Feed My Starving Children.