Thomas Vreede Obituary

Thomas "Tom" Van Vreede, 87, passed away peacefully April 23, 2023. He was born November 13, 1935, in Kaukauna, to the late Theodore and Catherine (Dempsey) Van Vreede. Tom graduated from Freedom High School in 1953. Tom went on to college and graduated from UW Oshkosh in 1958 with a degree in Secondary Education then obtained his Masters from The Ohio State in 1966. He started working in the Green Bay School District in 1958 until he retired from there in 1994. He taught Science at Franklin Middle School and at West High School, he was also an administrator for a short time. Tom was a member of the US Army National Guard from 1954-1960. Tom married Lorraine Conard in April 1972. Tom and Lori liked to travel. Tom loved sports. He enjoyed participating in football, basketball, track, band and tumbling for the Freedom Fighting Irish. He liked to tell the story about how on Homecoming he had to dress in his band uniform for the parade and then change into his football uniform to play football because Freedom was such a small school. Tom was the ultimate "Do It Yourselfer". He could work on cars, homes, woodworking projects, etc. He would help anyone who asked with anything that needed to be fixed, made or worked on. Tom enjoyed golfing (attaining two hole-in-ones) and playing cards with family and friends, especially Sheepshead. Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Lori, his sisters and brothers: Anita (John) Hammill, Marion (Harold) Hurley, Helen (Donald) John, Phyllis (Larry) Mauthe, Jim (Ester) VanVreede, Mark (Carol) VanVreede, Lucille (Bill) Moser, Marguerite (Gordon) Lamers, Jerry Van Vreede. He was also preceded by one grandchild, Marissa Dedick. Tom is survived by his children; Joan (Dale) Bley, Gary (Jeanne) Van Vreede, Ken (Cindy) Van Vreede and Judy (Pat) McKeough; step-children; Kathy Dedick; Dan (Janet) Conard, and James (Lisa) Conard. He is further survived by 18 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and by his sister-in-law, Myrt Van Vreede. We are very grateful for the care provided by the staff at Woodside Senior Communities and Compassus Hospice Care. Friends and family will gather at Peace Lutheran Church, 1954 County Rd. U, Green Bay, from 9 a. m. to 11 a. m. on Saturday, April 29; Memorial Service to follow at 11 a. m. To send online condolences, please go to www. BlaneyFuneralHome. com. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund for Wisconsin Parkinson Association, in Tom's name has been established.