Gene Vander Velden, Kimberly, age 75, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, October 23, 2016 at Theda Care Regional Medical Center in Appleton. He was born on July 15, 1941 in Kimberly to the late Lyle and Estelle (Maciejewski) Vander Velden. He married Grace P. Bongers at St. John Nepomucene Parish on November 4, 1961. She preceded him in death on August 20, 2014 after 52 years of marriage.

Gene worked at Thilmany, where he retired. Gene and Grace were Florida "snowbirds" and enjoyed the Cape Coral warmth with many good friends. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, horseshoes and spending time with family and friends at the cottage in Pickerel. As a young man, Gene had set bowling pins by hand, acquired quite a gift for a collection of bird eggs, snared rabbits, tended and cared for a pet crow, and found a way to do old fashioned taxidermy. Gene also loved to fish. Common questions Gene would ask are, "How many perch did you get?" or, "How big was that Northern?"

Gene will be sadly missed by his daughters: Sherry Vander Velden, Fort Worth, TX and Barbara (Tom) Van Asten, Freedom; grandchildren: Carissa, Kelsie, Kayla and Carlie Van Asten; brother: Ken (Karen) Vander Velden; and brothers and sisters-in-law: Bonnie Vander Velden, Claire (Tom) Verhagen, Tom (Mary) Bongers, Cynthia (Greg) Mathe and Patricia Bongers-DeGroot. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and wife, Grace, Gene was preceded in death by his grandson, Eli Thomas Van Asten; step mother, Dina Vander Velden; brothers: Jerry and Jeff (Laurie) Vander Velden; father and mother-in-law: Clarence and Marie (Van Thiel) Bongers; and brother and sister-in-law: Mary Jane and David Bongers.

Visitation will be held Friday October 28, 2016 at HOLY SPIRIT PARISH – KIMBERLY CHURCH (600 E. Kimberly Ave. Kimberly) beginning at 1:00 p.m. until time of Funeral Mass at 4:00 p.m. Committal St. John Cemetery.

A special thanks for the care at St. Paul Elder Services and Theda Care Regional Medical Center for compassionate care. Also a big thanks to an angel of a neighbor, Mark Van Cuyk, who has always looked in on Gene, and would care for his lawn. Thanks to all his good friends at Walmart in Darboy who treated him with such great kindness.