Russ Van Zeeland

Russ G. Van Zeeland, 47, Appleton, passed away on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. He was born September 21, 1963 to Tom and Maureen (Van Eperen) Van Zeeland in Green Bay. Russ enjoyed running, having competed at high school state track meets, and one of his proudest moments was completing the Fox Cities Marathon. He will be remembered as a loving dad and uncle, who was always putting worms on the hooks, taking fish off, and “forever” untangling lines while fishing at the cottage. He is survived by: his two children, John (JT) and Brooke; his parents; three sisters: Renee (Mike) Brixius, Sally (Dan) Fox, both of Wrightstown, Sharon (Chris) Murphy of Freedom; nieces and nephews: Scott, Teri, Craig Van Dyke, Derek and Brock Brixius, Katie and Kyle Fox, Mitchell, Abby, Elizabeth, Claire, Andrew and Matthew Murphy; special friend, Carrie; as well as numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents: Norbert and Marion Van Zeeland, Bernard and Rose Van Eperen. Family and friends may call at St. Clare Parish- St. Paul Site, Wrightstown, from 4-7pm on Thursday, August 25 (TODAY) concluding with a Parish Prayer Service at 7pm with Deacon Ken Kabat. Visitation will continue on Friday, August 26, from 9am until the hour of Mass at the Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am, at the Church, with the Rev. Dennis Ryan, Rev. Bob Kabat and Rev. Dennis Bergsbaken officiating. Interment in St. Paul Cemetery, Wrightstown. Cotter Funeral Home, Wrightstown, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Abby (Weiland) Rudolph and Dr. Moises Garcia from St. Lukes Hospital in Milwaukee, for giving us an extra eight months with Russ. Russ G. Van Zeeland, one of the best men I have ever known, and I was lucky enough to call him my Dad. Thank the Lord I was so blessed to have him then and now as my guardian angel watching over me and my sister. I would say I miss you, but I know you will always be there watching over us! Thank you Dad for the wonderful memories and I know there are plenty more to come. I’m always thinking about you and will always love you! -JT A special memory I had was playing board games, playing football at half-time of Packer games, and playing basketball with my Dad.Love, Brooke As a Son and a friend, I will miss you big time, especially discussing sports.Love, Dad. Son, I will miss our fun cribbage games, and hearing your “love you” at the end of our phone conversations. Love you, always and forever, Mom.