What a beautiful birthday surprise. Our Mom, Bernice Vandenberg joined our Dad, Jerry Vandenberg in heaven on May 1, 2022; missing his birthday by mere hours.  What some might call fashionably late!

Bernice Vandenberg, 88, passed away peacefully at Country Villa Assisted Living in Little Chute on May 1, 2022.  Bernice was born on June 20, 1933 in Little Chute, and married the love of her life Jerry Vandenberg on July 22, 1953.  Bernice and Jerry were happily married for 68 years.

Mom lived with Alzheimer's the last eight years of her life. Dad's devotion to Mom was unwavering until he passed about seven months ago.  Throughout all of life's challenges, our parents found a way to always be by each other's sides.  Now they are reunited in heaven.

Bernice is survived by her son: Jim (Joyce) Vandenberg; daughters: Diane (Larry) Roovers, Karen (Randy) Ruys, and Cathy (Dave) Reimer; 12 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren. Bernice is also survived by her brothers: Bob Hietpas, Freddy (Pat) Hietpas, Jer (Mary) Hietpas, and David (Lynn) Hietpas; sisters: Rose Ann Lauer, Janet (David) Janssen, Carol Jirikowic and Joan Hietpas; and brother-in-law: Donny (Bev) Vandenberg.

Bernice was predeceased in death by her beloved husband Jerry Vandenberg; her parents: Sebastian and Helen Hietpas; sisters: infant Dolores, Joyce (Joe) Kees, and Mary Ellen Hietpas; brothers-in-law: Norbert Lauer and Bill Jirikowic; sister-in-law, Judy Hietpas; father and mother-in-law: Joseph and Gertrude Vandenberg; brother-in-law, Tom (Phyllis) Vandenberg; and sister-in-law, Ione (Delbert) Clark.

Our family would like to express sincere thanks to all of the staff members at Country Villa Assisted Living in Little Chute and the Theda Care Hospice team for providing such excellent and loving care to our mother.

Visitation for Bernice and Jerry will be held May 20, 2022 at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute) beginning at 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Ronald Belitz officiating.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice in Bernice and Jerry's honor.  To sign the guest book, please visit oconnellfh.com.

We give thanks for the love and devotion our beloved parents bestowed all around them. We can only hope that they felt as much joy from giving as the joy they gave to others.