Kathleen Ann Van Den Heuvel
1940-2024
On Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, Kathleen Ann Van Den Heuvel, affectionately known as Kae, died peacefully at home, surrounded with love by her devoted husband and eight loving children by her side. Kae was born on Aug. 14, 1940 in Donald, on their family farm to Earl and Lucille (Creaser) Englebretson. Kae attended Donald Elementary School and graduated from Gilman High School in 1958. On Aug. 23, 1958, she married her high school sweetheart, Bernie Van Den Heuvel, and they were blessed with nine children. Through their 65 years of marriage together, their blessings abounded, welcoming 27 grandchildren and 34 (and counting) great-grandchildren into the large, loving, and ever-expanding Van Den Heuvel family.
Kae was first and foremost a godly woman, and could almost always be spotted at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church and its related events. She was deeply involved in the church, where she taught CCD, planned funeral dinners, and was a member of the Rosary Society. In heaven, if something needs planning, Kae might get to it before God even notices!
Along with the church, Kae was a keystone of the Gilman community and was a member of numerous organizations, namely the Lionesses, CBA, Red Hat Society, Miller Dam Lake Association, Cub Scouts, Ladies Guild, the Gilman Public Library Board, Gilman Village Board, was a bus driver and an EMT for 12 years.
Kae was a passionate gardener, bird watcher, and loved to read. Most of all, though, Kae spent time with the family she made, supporting them at every wedding, baby shower, sporting event, and birthday possible. She was the best at supporting and encouraging her many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. “Grandma Kae” was a pillar of the Gilman community and was “Grandma” to everyone in Gilman. She will be sorely missed.
Kae is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bernie; and their children, Monica (Rick) Johnson, Bill (Deb) Van Den Heuvel, Sheri (Ray) Gavitt, Jim (Lonnie) Van Den Heuvel, Jenny (Dennis) Lingen, Teri (fiancé Don Klisiewicz) Rosemeyer, Kari (Jerry) Jehn, and Bernie (Traci) Van Den Heuvel. Additionally, she is survived by her 27 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren, who, if we were to list all of their names, would take up the entire paper. She is also survived by her brother, Ronnie and Rocky (Kathy) Englebretson; and many special nieces and nephews and countless friends.
Kae was preceded in death by son, Jeffrey (at birth); her sister, Connie Clark; her brother, Ricky; mother, Lucille and father, Earl Englebretson; and her parentsin-law, Aloys and Gertrude Van Den Heuvel. A funeral Mass took place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church-Gilman with Father Vijay Kumar Madani officiating. Burial followed in Meadowbrook Catholic Cemetery-Gilman. Visitation was from 9 a.m. until time of service Thursday at the Church.
The Van Den Heuvel family would like to thank Hope Hospice, and all friends and family that supported them and provided care during this time.
Paid Obituary 148746
