Delores Vande Velden

Delores Vande Velden passed away surrounded by her children on January 10, 2023. Delores was born on October 24, 1930 to the late Peter and Mary Michiels. She was a lifelong resident of De Pere, Wisconsin and a graduate of De Pere High School, Class of 1948.

On July 26, 1952, Delores and Louis Vande Velden were married at St. Mary Catholic church in De Pere where she was a lifelong parishioner. Delores lived a life of service to others, with the most important being her family and her faith. She served her church in a number of ways, creating beautiful quilts with the St. Mary’s Quilters, assisting with parishioners’ funeral dinners, processing the weekly collection, and volunteering for many years at the De Pere Christian Outreach and St. Vincent De Paul stores, through which she developed many friendships. Delores’ quilting skills resulted in all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren each receiving a quilt sewn with love. She also enjoyed crocheting, building puzzles and socializing with friends and neighbors.

Delores and Louie were proud to share the family cottage on Paya Lake in Lakewood, Wisconsin creating wonderful memories of campfires, swimming, boating, fishing and raking truckloads of fall leaves. Family holiday celebrations, including annual Christmas cookie and candy making are traditions that will be cherished.

Delores is survived by her children, Dan (Charlotte) Vande Velden, Peggy (Craig) Thielke, David (Monica) Vande Velden, Diane (Neil) Sweney, Cathy Vande Velden; grandchildren Chris (Jennifer) Vande Velden, Chad (Carol) Vande Velden, Allison (Matt) Bramschreiber, Nick (Kaitlyn) Thielke, Steven Vande Velden, Marisa (Dan) Witterholt; great grandchildren Liam and Aubree Bramschreiber, and Laikyn Thielke. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Phyllis Vande Velden, Bonnie Michiels and Carolyn Michiels, as well as many nieces and nephews, and a very special childhood friend, Charlotte Schink.

Preceding Delores to eternal life are her husband Louie, daughter Jane Vande Velden, grandson Kyle Sweney, her brothers Melvin, Reuben, Donald, Jerry, and Norbert, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law.

Family and friends may visit at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Drive, Ledgeview, on Saturday, January 14, from 9:30am until 10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am with Fr. Ben Johnson officiating. Entombment will be in Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. Cotter Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.

Memorials in Delores’ name may be directed to Unity Hospice.

Delores and her family extend their sincere gratitude to her caregiving teams at Good Shepherd and Renaissance Assisted Living, as well as Unity Hospice. Your support, encouragement and compassion are incredible and will always be remembered.