Donald "Smiley" Van Deurzen

Donald “Smiley” Larry Van Deurzen, age 77, of De Pere passed away on July 21, 2020. He was born on July 15, 1943 to the late Lawrence and Antoinette (Coenen) Van Deurzen. He graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School and Abbot Pennings High School in De Pere.
Don married the love of his life, Evelyn Brantmeier on August 8, 1964 at All Saints Catholic Church in Denmark. Together Don and Evelyn were proud American Farmers at their Dairy Farm in De Pere. Don always said he never had to work a day in his life, his cows were his pets and his machinery were his toys. Besides farming, Don had a love for making maple syrup, traveling, family, and playing Sheepshead. Don always had a smile on his face, a deck of cards and change in his pockets. Family was his pride and joy. He cherished the time spent with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. This year family really came together helping each other out to produce the best maple syrup season in history at the family business, Maple Sweet Dairy. He was involved in the WI Farm Bureau, Denmark FFA Alumni, Vietnam Vets Gold Star Family and the WI Maple Syrup Producers Association. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church where he was a Sunday usher and Holy Name member, also a member of Catholic Order of Foresters. Don and Evelyn traveled to almost all 50 states except Oregon. They also had the chance to travel to Rome.
Don is survived by his loving wife of almost 56 years, Evelyn; his children, Rosann (Jack) Dax, Dave (Diane), Michael (Julie), Pete (Nicki) Van Deurzen, Theresa (Jon) Baroun, Vicki, Beth (Andy) De Bruin and daughter-in-law, Nikki (Fred) Lemens. His grandchildren, Pat Dax, Tracy (Casey) Davis, Chelsea (Brandon) Vander Kinter, Garret and Blake Dax, Aimee, Adam (Stephanie), Alex and Alan Van Deurzen, Coleen, Kristin (Clayton) Cohen, Tony and Erin Van Deurzen, Karla (Zach) and April (Kristian) Wagner, Rachel and Austin Van Deurzen, Sammy Van Deurzen, Becky (Ryan) Cornelissen, Michaela and Josie Van Deurzen, Abraham, Isaac, Nathanial, Uriah, and Ruth Van Deurzen, Justin and Alicia Baroun, Levi and Carolyn De Bruin. Great-grandchildren, Addison and Jackson Dax, Emma, Kelsey and Gabby Davis, Raelynn, Evelyn, Wallace and Archie Vander Kinter, Mc Kinley, Ezra and Dominic Dax, Riley and Hailey Miller, Evelyn, Kaden and Addie Van Deurzen, and Laura Wagner.
Brothers and sisters, Sister Marie Rose, John (Barb), Tom (Vickie) Van Deurzen, Mary (Ron) Van Dyck. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Rita, Pat (Barb), Ray (Sandy), Ann, Bill (Barb) Brantmeir, Mae (Ed) Enz, Rose (Dan) Rosik. Godchildren, Kevin Everts, Kay Meshnick, Kathy Kocken and Ron Coenen.
Preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Antoinette Van Deurzen; father-in-law and mother-in-law Leo and Delphine Brantmeier; sons, Steve, Ricky and Dan Van Deurzen; granddaughter Laura Van Deurzen; brothers-in-law Jerry, Richard, Bernard (Butch) Brantmeier; godchild Jessica Cappelle.
Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Ave., De Pere, on Sunday July 26, 2020 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm. A parish wake service will conclude the evening at 8:00pm. Visitation will continue on Monday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Drive, Ledgeview (De Pere), from 9:00am until 10:45am. Concelebrate Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am with Rev. Matthew Faucett officiating and Rev. Don Everts, homolist. Following the funeral mass a luncheon will be served at the Maple Sweet Dairy Farm. Interment in All Saints Catholic Cemetery.
The Van Deurzen Family would like to thank Unity Hospice for their compassionate care, Cardiology Associates for giving Don 7 pace makers/defibrillators and 18 extra years of life and to Cotter Funeral Home for giving him his last Cadillac ride at the special request of the family.