Donna Van Asten

Donna Mary Van Asten (Roberts) - Age 93, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, surrounded by her loving family in her home in the Town of Vandenbroek. Donna was born on Nov. 13, 1931, in Appleton, daughter of the late Walter and Ann Roberts. She grew up in Appleton and graduated from Appleton Senior High School with the class of 1949. Donna excelled in her studies, played basketball, baseball, and was a part of a Keglers bowling team. After graduation she worked for Rueckl Studios as a model and was a billing clerk for Kimberly Clark at the Atlas Mill down in the flats in Appleton. She met the love of her life, Carl A. Van Asten, at the Waverly Beach Rolling Rink and they married on Sept. 2, 1950. Together they started their family in Little Chute and built a life full of love and hard work. They bought a farm in 1962 in the Town of Vandenbroek and farmed for many years. Carl died on Jan. 8, 1998, and Donna continued with the Carl Van Asten Dairy Farm until she sold it to one of their sons. Donna devoted herself to family, church and the farm. She was a city girl who spent 32 years on the dairy farm, milking the cows twice a day, feeding the cattle and chickens, baling hay, driving the tractors and the other chores of a farmer’s wife. In her spare time, she was an avid bowler, loved to play cards, especially Sheepshead, with family and friends, cook chicken dinner on Sunday’s and make homemade sugar donuts. She raised seven children, six boys and one girl. She was a loving, caring and accepting mom who helped support the family in many ways. She regularly attended most of her children and grandchildren’s activities. Donna is survived by her seven children: Jeffrey (Diane) Van Asten, Randall (Jan) Van Asten, Thomas (Sue) Van Asten, Steven (Sandy) Van Asten, Kim (Scott) Ryan, Scott (Shari) Van Asten and Charles Van Asten; 14 grandchildren: Jesse (Jenny) Van Asten, Amy (Jeremy) Dieck, Julie Van Asten, Josh (Amber) Jansen, Jenny (Ryan) Roth, Jill (Jason) Wheelock, Lisa (Marshall) Kealey, Samantha (David) Harrell, Matthew (Alyssa) Van Asten, Samantha Kerswill, John (Jessica) Dennis, Jenna (Chris) Schmidt, Stephanie (Dereck) Kruse, and Tyler (Taylor) Ryan; along with 30 great grandchildren: Mason, Jake, Ava, Dylan, Daniel, Bryce, Cassidy, Sawyer, Sophia, Addison, Gabriella, Burke, Justin, Julien, Savannah, Austin, Chase, Georgia, Elena, Tesher, Sawyer, Aaliyah, Braden, Wren, Emerson, Paige, Ryleigh, Nathan, Aiden and Wyatt. Donna is also survived by Lori Roberts, Gene and Marge Van Asten, Irene Van Asten, Jan Van Asten, and Gene Diedrick. She also leaves behind many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandson: Chris Van Asten; her loving husband: Carl; her parents: Walter and Ann Roberts; her siblings: Gerald, Michael, Lawrence (Donna), Thomas and David. She was also preceded in death by her in-laws: Henry (Catherine) Van Asten, Robert (Pat) Van Asten, Millie (Bob) Bachman, Marion (Larry) Dufrane, Floyd Van Asten, Lillian (Ed) Van Hueklon, Rita Van Asten, Ila (Don) Roehrborn, Art Van Asten, Marge (Edward) Belongea and Carol Diedrick. Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 411 Vandenbroek St., Little Chute, with Msgr. James Vanden Hogen officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 3 p.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com The family would like to thank all the staff at Home Instead, especially Gloria, and Nikki, along with Theda Care Hospice especially Ben RN and Ida CNA for their genuine kindness and compassion.

VERKUILEN-VAN DEURZEN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 101 Canal Street, Little Chute, WI 54140, (920) 788-3321, www.verkuilenfh.com