Harold M. "Marty" De Bruin, Kaukauna, age 83, died Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Care Partners in Appleton.  He was born in Little Chute on June 14, 1940 to the late Henry and Laura (Boser) De Bruin.

Marty was an excellent cook and loved to cook for family and friends. He was an avid card player and especially enjoyed sheepshead and cribbage. He taught all his grandchildren to play cribbage.   Marty also enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening including giant pumpkins.  In his middle years especially, he was ballroom dancing with a dance group loving the polka.  He was very engaged in AA and his beloved friends there, and valued his sobriety over his last 37 years.  He and Carol loved their road trips including Yellowstone, Arizona, Canada, Minnesota, Michigan and around Wisconsin.  His humor, love, and caring nature will be greatly missed by family.

Marty is survived by his wife of 31 years, Carol/Carolyn; children:  Mike (Julie) De Bruin,  Ann (Paul) Neville, Jim (Beth) De Bruin; step children: Laurie Gosha and Geoff Gerard; grandchildren:  Betsy, Stephanie, Tommy, and Nick (Cassie) St. John; step grandchildren: Drew Gosha, Crystal Boss, Billy and Jimmy Lutze; a great grandchild, Ozzy Sue St. John; and step great grandchildren: Siobhan, Anita, Natalia, Brooklyn and Aurora Boss, Grace, Lillian, Chevelle, Kellie, Bella, Roxanne, and Harley Lutze.  He is also survived by siblings:  Elaine Van Cuyk, Bob (Janice) De Bruin, Gordan De Bruin, Vic (Jean) De Bruin, Judy Menting, and Juanita De Bruin; and brothers-in-law:  Tom (Michael), Bob (Peg), and Chris (DeeAnne) Gilling.  He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

In addition to his parents, Marty was preceded in death by his former wife, Mary, the mother of his children; his brothers: Donald, Toby, Lloyd, Lee, and John De Bruin; sister, Dorothy Hawley; half-brother, Melvin De Bruin; half-sisters: Clara Simon,  Genevieve and Evelyn Van Schyndel; as well as father and mother-in-law, Andrew and Cathleen Gilling; and brothers and sisters-in-law: Casey Van Cuyk, Jim Menting, Maryanne, Pat and Virgie Debruin, Martin and Henry Van Schyndel, Susan and Paul DeGreef.

A graveside service will be held Friday, August 18, 2023 at ST. JOHN CEMETERY (500 E. Main Street, Little Chute) at 1:00 p.m. with Deacon Steven Vande Hey officiating.  All are invited to a gathering to celebrate Marty's life experiences and his favorite foods and flowers following the service at his daughter Ann's house (309 E. Ducharme Street, Kaukauna).  In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established.

The family sends much gratitude to Compassus Hospice who assisted Marty at home and later, and to Care Partners on French Road in Appleton, where he spent his final days.  A HUGE thank you to O'Connell Funeral Home in assisting Marty with his final wishes.

Marty's forever prayer for us:

God Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can

And the wisdom to know the difference.