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Dean R. Van Daalwyk passed away after a brief illness surrounded by his famly on Friday, August 23, 2024 in Appleton, WI.
Dean was born on August 9, 1946 to Christiaan and Audrey Van Daalwyk in Kenosha, WI. Dean, the youngest of four siblings, graduated from Mary D. Bradford HIgh School in 1964. He was independent from a young age, working hard at various jobs while still in school.
Dean, at 17, met Diana Spitzer where they became high school sweethearts, and then married on March 4, 1967.
Dean served on the USS Hornet during the Vietnam War. After his service, he returned home where he worked at American Motors and Snap-On Tools. He graduated from Gateway Technical College and UW-Parkside. He built the family home where he and Diana raised their three children, living there for 45 years. Dean and his partner, Jim Matzur, opened Villa Marina and the Boat House Pub and Eatery in downtown Kenosha.
Dean and Diana shared time in Charlotte, NC and eventually Appleton, WI, where after his retirement, they moved to be near their grandchildren.
Dean is survived by his devoted wife, Diana; children, Cara (Ron) Ancevic, Christiaan (Erin) Van Daalwyk, and Cass (Nathan) Schultz. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, and sisters; Kaarin (Jerry) Risvold, Gigi (Donald) Hauke; sister in-laws, Gloria Van Daalwyk and Loretta Kallas. Dean was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jay Van Daalwyk.
A visitation honoring the life of Dean will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Piasecki Funeral Home., 3720-39 Avenue, Kenosha, WI. An additional visitation will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church-East (formally Friedens Lutheran Church, 5038-19 Avenue, Kenosha, WI) from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations to New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church-East. https://www.newlifekenosha.org/give. www.KenoshaFuneralHome.com
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Alan E. Bella
So sorry to hear of Dean's passing. Knew him well when he worked at Snap-On Tools. We also served time at the Racine Navel Reserve unit before we went on active duty. He will be missed, Rest in peace, my friend.
Bonnie A. Jensen (Erickson)
Dean lived on 27th Avenue and my brother Jim Jensen and I grew up on 26th Avenue, along with a whole bunch of guys (Larry Mueller, Ron Selin. Bob Simon and Jim Matzur). I think GiGi and I were the only girls in the neighborhood. Together, both our mothers served on the PTA Board at Columbus Elementary. One thing I remember was the VanDaalwyk's had one of maybe two boathouse's that were in the Kenosha Harbor. It was so unique and special to go there. Dean and my brother Jim shared a love of boats. In the 70's the Thistle Nationals were held in Racine and I ran into Diana and Dean on the shuttle bus. Both my brother Jim and I would randomly bump into Dean and Diane and always enjoyed seeing them. Dean was just a great guy, always friendly and so easy to talk with. Sending deepest condolences to Diana and all the VanDaalwyk family.
Jim Jensen & Bonnie (Jensen) Erickson
Ronald Selin
I grew up with Dean from kindergarten all the way through high school. ( Columbus Elementary, Lincoln, junior high and Bradford high school )I lived four houses away from Dean's family home and all his brothers and sisters and parents. Before our 50th reunion, Dean and a couple friends spent the afternoon together walking through our old neighborhood and discussing all the people who used to live there. I usually made contact with Dean before the reunion each year to make sure we would see each other at the party. I was hoping to see him at our 60th. I wish I was able to attend his funeral, but I was unable to get there.