Alois (Al) William Vanden Boogard passed away on June 2, 2022 after a brief illness.  He was born and named Aloysius on July 18, 1926, the son of the late Theodore and Petronella (Vander Heiden) Vanden Boogard. He was never fond of the name and was known to all as Alois or Al.  He grew up in Kimberly, Wisconsin and, in 1964, moved to the suburbs, building a house on a ravine, surrounded by farm fields and a landmark 4-way stop sign.  Many now know the place because of its water tower and former banquet hall, as Darboy, USA, making Al and his family one of the original Darbonians.

Alois volunteered for service in the US Navy during WWII, serving in the Pacific Theater aboard three PT tenders, most notably the USS Willoughby. He was discharged from the Navy with a rating of petty officer, third class.

On October 1, 1949 Alois married Mary Jean Helein at St. Therese Church in Appleton, sharing almost 72 years together before her passing in 2021.

Alois enjoyed participating in bowling, pool, and horseshoes leagues for over 50 years. A keen observer will find evidence of some of his most noteworthy efforts as they are engraved upon various plaques on the walls in Kamp's Bar in Combined Locks.  Alois also loved music and looked forward to cutting the rug with Mary at any church picnic or social function that featured a polka band.

Alois was employed by Kimberly Clark and Midtec at the Kimberly Mill for 38 years, retiring in 1983. He was also a volunteer fireman for the Town of Buchanan. Living across from the fire hall, he was many times the first on site to get the trucks rolling.  He was also a member of the William Verhagen American Legion Post 60.

In his free time, Alois built homes (including three of his own), was an accomplished mason and installed sump pumps throughout the valley.  After his retirement, he built countless pieces of furniture for his children.

Alois and Mary traveled to eight countries in Europe, throughout Canada, and most of the United States. He spent many winters in Arizona, Florida, California, and Virginia.

He is survived by eight children: Father Steven Vanden Boogard, DePere; Bob and Doris Vanden Boogard, Little Chute, children Linda (Merlin) Vander Bloomer, Sharon (Brodi) Lund and Kristy (Brian) Riesenweber; Mike (Kathy) Vanden Boogard, Readfield, children Eric, Kimberly (Amos), Mitchell (Shawny), Tyler (Taylor); Tom and Evelyn Vanden Boogard, Kimberly; Jean Reynolds (Larry), Oconto Falls, children Adam (Wioletta) and Jaclyn (Brian) Bartelt; Ted (Michelle) Vanden Boogard, Menasha, children Brandon and Brittany (Ryan); Lisa (Tom) Pepper, Greenville, children Sammantha (Jevis) Kuhnke, Paige (special friend David) and Olivia; Cindy (John) Stoeger, Appleton; children, Michael (Hannah), Ryan, Jonathon, and Lauren. Al is further survived by 15 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; his sister Margaret Verstegen, Menasha; and sister-in-law, Joanne Van Boogard, Kaukauna.

In addition to his parents, Al was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara; sister Dorothy (Jim Malone), brothers: Joe (Mary) Van Boogard, Richard Vanden Boogard (infant), and Eugene Van Boogard; brother-in-law Gene Verstegen; and two brothers-in-law:  Dick (Jan) and Jack (Dorothy) Helein; as well as his in-laws, Theodore and Florence Helein.

Visitation will be held Saturday, June 11, 2022 at ST. PAUL PARISH (410 Wallace Street, Combined Locks) beginning at 8:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 10:00 a.m.  His son, Fr. Steven Vanden Boogard, will officiate.  Military Honors, conducted by the William Verhagen American Legion Post 60, will immediately follow.  Committal Holy Angels Cemetery.

Our family would like to thank Drs. Elmer and Bauer as well as the St. Paul's nursing staff (especially Al's granddaughter, Kristy), for their exceptional care and concern as well as his dear friend and fellow card player, Don Newhouse.

In assisting with the preparations of his obituary, Alois wrote the following, "He loved his children and grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren very much. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for them. Farewell to all, may we all meet again."