Loretta Hoelzel (nee Van Dyke) (Verstegen) passed away on May 3, 2015 at age 98 with her devoted family by her side. She was born on September 15, 1916 to the late Henry P. & Margaret (Green) Van Dyke. Loretta graduated from St. Nicholas Catholic School and Freedom High School, and attended Appleton Business School. She worked as a Bookkeeper at Geenen's General Store in Freedom until she married Clarence Verstegen. They lived in Superior, Crandon and settled in Marinette, WI, where they owned and operated Verstegen's Drug Store from 1944 until her husband passed away in 1951. She relocated her family to Little Chute in 1952 and became the first full time Clerk Treasurer of the Village serving proudly for eight years. In 1964, she married Florian Hoelzel, and lived in the Town of Menasha until her husband's death in 1978. Loretta returned to Little Chute in 1979 where she became an active member of St. John Nepomucene Parish, volunteering for more than 20 years counting money from the weekly collections. She also enjoyed being a Greeter at weekend masses, and was a member of the Adult Choir, Resurrection Choir & Parkside Choir. Loretta was a member of the Little Chute Golden Agers and was passionate about playing cards, especially sheepshead and cribbage and enjoyed going for rides to the casino to play penny slots. She loved crocheting, cooking and baking for family and friends. She and her 2nd husband traveled extensively, and in later years she cherished a trip to Holland with friends from St. John's. For many years Arizona was her winter escape where she spent time with her daughter, Clare. Loretta's life revolved around her loving family. There was a mutual love among her children and grandchildren. Their special visits, cards and phone calls were dear to her to the very end.

Loretta is survived by her children: Nicholas Verstegen, Gulfport, MS / Brooklyn Park, MN; Myrna Wydeven, Appleton; Adele (Gary) Romenesko, Little Chute; Eunice Verstegen (Rob Salkowitz), Seattle, WA; and Clare Verstegen, Tempe, AZ. She is also survived by step children Roy (Jan) Hoelzel, Blaine, MN and Carol Kaufman, Appleton. In addition, she is survived by many grandchildren: Karen (Tracy) Smith (Traci Jo); Sheila (Douglas) Smith (Nathan, Seth and Casey); Greg (Wendy) Verstegen (Lucas and Kaitlyn); Chad (Delana) Romenesko (Reid, Ella and Bryn); Ryan (Melissa) Romenesko (Delinda, Wyatt, Piper and Bode); Luke Romenesko; Jill (Joey) Peeters (Jameson and Griffin); Emily Wydeven (Mic Messersmith); Gary (Gail) Hoelzel (Gina and Garrett (Olivia); John (Karen) Hoelzel (Faith); Karl (Marion) Kaufman (Andrew and Michael); Kevin (Peggy) Kaufman (Tony), Patricia (Keven) Freiling (Lucia and Keen); Brian (Carragh) Hoelzel (Turner and Mason); Tim (Jessica) Hoelzel (Ava, Adelaide and Aubrey). She is also survived by god-children Judy Gerrits, Janice Haamen, Karen Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and two husbands, Loretta was preceded in death by her beloved son Curtis Verstegen; step son and his wife Ronald (Connie) Hoelzel; step son-in-law Ray Kaufman; her father and mother-in-law Joseph & Anna (Van Gompel) Verstegen; step mother Josie (Smits) Van Dyke; brothers and sisters-in-law: Clarence (Marge) Van Dyke, Ignatius (Ann) Van Dyke, Harold (Anita) Van Dyke and Alvin (Cleta) Van Dyke; sisters and brothers-in-law: Ann (Herman) Ebben, Catherine (Ray) Ebben, Rosella (Frank) Ebben, Genevieve (Wm.) Martzhal, Frances (Wm.) Derks, Helen (Richard) Welter; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Lester (Peg) Verstegen, Robert (Lillian) Verstegen, Gerald (Margaret) Verstegen, Ernest (Ann) Verstegen, Joe (Charlotte) Verstegen, Carl (Marie) Verstegen, Aloysius Verstegen, Regina (Clarence) Bouressa, Bernice (Joe) Vander Velden, Irene (Don) Peeters, Ida (Jim) Peeters, George (Marie) Hoelzel, Clem (Gert) Hoelzel, Wilfred (Ceil) Hoelzel, Alex (Eleanor) Hoelzel and Della (Mike) Luniak. She was also preceded in death by god-children Dick Van Dyke, Bob Derks and Jerry Derks.

Visitation will be held Wednesday May 6, 2015 at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (323 Pine St. Little Chute) beginning at 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. The Msgr. Rev. James Vanden Hogen will officiate. Committal St. John Cemetery.