Ervin Van Den Elzen

Ervin Henry Van Den Elzen, 82, long time resident of Denmark, peacefully passed away Monday morning, January 23, 2012. He was born November 13, 1929 in Green Bay, son of the late William and Ethel (Van Vonderen) Van Den Elzen. On September 17, 1949, Ervin married Cleo Thyes at St. Mary Catholic Church, De Pere. She passed away October 26, 1991. He farmed for many years, and then worked for Schuster Construction and Boulanger Construction until his retirement. He also operated the Hwy “96” Saw Mill and was famous for his “Sawmill Whiskey.” Ervin was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church-Stark. He had served as an usher and enjoyed making Booyah for the church picnics. He was a member of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), local 139. Ervin liked to hunt in Wisconsin and in the western states, specifically for deer and elk. Ervin is survived by five children: Sandra (Kent) Petersen, Denmark; Deborah Van Den Elzen (significant other, Jeff Blazer), Maribel; Kenneth (Jean) Van Den Elzen, Denmark; Wendy Van Den Elzen, De Pere; and Stacy Kowalczyk (fiancé, Tom Kiekhaefer), Denmark; eleven grandchildren: Brent (Rhonda), Jesse, Ryan (Laura), and Matthew (Rachel) Petersen; Sarah (Clyde) Engelbrecht; Jillian Kudick (special friend, Christopher); Taylor and Alexandra Van Den Elzen; Hannah and Maxwell Kowalczyk; and Ellah Kiekhaefer; and nine great grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers: Clarence (Marie), and Donald (Carol) Van Den Elzen; two sisters: Jane Kaster and Ruby (Gerry) Dorhrmann; sisters-in-law: Theresa Van Den Elzen and Joyce Thyes; and his special friend, Barb Kafka. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Cleo; a brother, Orville Van Den Elzen; and a brother-in-law, Jerry P. Kaster. Relatives and friends may call at Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home, 536 County Rd R, Denmark on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The Parish Prayer Service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday, Jan. 26th, at Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home beginning at 9:00 a.m. until time of procession to church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church-Stark, 7016 County Road NN (Corner of NN and Stark Road), town of Morrison, on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Ron Colombo officiating. Entombment will be in Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. Ervin’s family would like to thank the staff of Carrington Manor for their excellent care, and to Unity Hospice for their care and concern. Ervin enjoyed life and loved his family and friends very much.