Norbert A. Vander Linden

Norbert A. Vander Linden, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and was reunited with the love of his life, Sharon on May 15, 2024, at the age of 82. On April 27, 1942, at home in Wrightstown, Wisconsin, he was born as one of ten children to the late August and Frances (Hoffman) Vander Linden.

Norbert enlisted in the US Army on December 6, 1961 and received his high school diploma while proudly serving his country. He was honorably discharged December 6, 1963 and was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 436 in Wrightstown. On June 6, 1964, he married Sharon Lee De Broux at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Green Bay. For 59 and a half years, they resided on the Vander Linden family farm homestead where they were blessed to raise their beautiful family.

Norbert worked at Brillion Iron Works from December of 1962 until December of 1966, then purchasing the family farm in June of 1967. Norbert farmed almost 50 years before retiring at the age of 71 and a half. He always considered farming a passion, not a job.

Quiet, loyal, gentle and hardworking, Norbert loved his family beyond measure. He selflessly cared for his loved ones, and even while on his own journey with cancer, his focus remained on caring for his beautiful wife Sharon. He never complained, always concerned with the wellbeing of others.

Norbert found joy in the simple pleasures of life, whether it was tending to his garden, partaking in Friday fish fries, enjoying a good old-fashioned, spending time bowling over a beer, or a good game of sheepshead. He had a strong and abiding faith, living the motto of “faith, family and friends.”

Norbert will be deeply missed by his beloved children: Cindy (Mike) Gerrits, Keith (Vicki) Vander Linden, Terry (Lisa) Vander Linden, Tammy (Greg) Behling and Jamie (Jessica) Vander Linden; 12 grandchildren: Matthew (Heather) Gerrits, Melissa (fiance Jacob) Gerrits, Megan (Ryan) Leick, Jonathan (Brooke) Gerrits, Lauren (Mitch) Krause, Logan Vander Linden, Jenna, Brady and Ethan Vander Linden, Bryce (fiance Claire), Peyton (special friend Lexi) and Rylan Vander Linden; 9 great-grandchildren: Mila and Tatum Gerrits, Juliana and Jayten Grassl, Isabella Leick, Kyler, Kayden and Kinslee Krause, Emberly Vander Linden, and adding 2 more great-grandchildren later this year. He is further survived by his siblings: Mary (Dick) Rottier, Richard (Julaine) Vander Linden, Roger (Jeanne) Vander Linden and Rose Kramer; sister-in-law Ann Vander Linden, brother-in-law Jim De Broux, godson Phillip Vander Linden, as well as special family members: Jerri Smith, Krystal and AJ Smith.

In addition to his wife, Sharon, and parents, August and Frances, he was preceded in death by Sharon’s parents, Gordon and Helen De Broux; siblings: Grace (Pete) Calaway, Don (Donna), Carl, Ken and Jerry (Sandy) Vander Linden, special family member Ron Smith; brother-in-law: Joe Kramer.

Family and friends may visit at St. Clare Parish- St. Paul Site, Wrightstown, on Tuesday, May 21, from 8:30am until 11:00am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30am with Fr. Brian Wideman officiating. Full military honors will follow the mass. Interment will be in Allouez Cemetery.

Our family would like to extend a special thank you to his sister Rose Kramer and niece Vicki Vander Linden for all their love and endless support through the past years, for both mom and dad. We would also like to offer a special thank you to Dr. Srinandan Guntapalli for his endless dedication and compassionate care; Deacon Ken Kabat, for your pastoral guidance, care, friendship and support; and Home Instead, especially Mary Kay, for allowing dad to remain at his home as long as he could.

Thank you, dad, for your unconditional love, guidance and support, we will forever miss you. We were blessed with the best!