Mary Van De Hey

Mary Van De Hey (Van Camp) - Age 99, the matriarch of our family, Mary Van De Hey (Van Camp), is living eternal peace with our Lord as of Friday, June 27, 2025. On Feb. 28, 1926, the late Frank and Magdalene (Biese) Van Camp of Freedom gave birth to this amazing person. As a young woman of 17, Mary met Amos Van De Hey at a dance and they courted until their marriage on June 18, 1946, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Freedom. They started their life and family together on the Van De Hey homestead farm in Wrightstown. Mary was a woman of faith, showing this constantly in her daily life. She volunteered at St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna for over 16 years. This provided a level of comfort in choosing her new surroundings upon selling her lovely home. Mary was active in her parish and a member of the Christian Mothers. She extended these friendships through bowling and card playing monthly with a circle of friends. Mary smiled as she took our money playing sheepshead and cribbage. She enjoyed learning new activities to share with her family and grandchildren, whether it was cards, dice, or board games. Mary loved with her whole heart, a gracious caring woman. Mary appreciated the connections with grandchildren, even those across the country, using FaceTime to check in. She maintained relationships and was always interested in the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends through the countless cards she sent over the years. She was an amazing homemaker and baker, often sharing one of her family’s favorites, poppyseed bread. Mary lived to serve others through her volunteer work and giving of herself. The conversations and time with Mary will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her children: Rosemarie (Gerald) Hietpas, Kathleen (Thomas) Pehowski, Patrick (Delores) Van De Hey, Elaine (Thomas) Jones, Judy (Ken) Caelwaerts, David (Barb) Van De Hey, Lois (Joe) Schuh, Eileen (John) Huben, Joseph (Mary) Van De Hey, Chris (Cherie) Van De Hey, Brian (Peggy) Van De Hey, Mary Evers (Chris Schultz); daughters in law: Marian Van De Hey and Sue Laabs; 49 grandchildren and 61 great-grandchildren with four more due this year. Mary is further survived by her brother: Floyd Van Camp, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death are her parents; her husband: Amos; sons: Paul, Leon and Dan; daughter-in-law: Karen, grandchildren: Liesa and Ricky; as well as her brothers: Marcel, Aloysius (Delores), Glen (Therese), Eugene (Delores) and Gerald (Donna); and all her in-laws. Her funeral Mass was held June 30 at St. Clare Parish, Wrightstown, with burial July 1 at St. Paul Cemetery in Wrightstown. The family wishes to extend a huge thank you for the tender loving care shown to our Mother by the staff at St. Paul Elder Services, including the Hospice care.

COTTER FUNERAL HOME, 860 N. Webster Ave., De Pere, 54115, www.cotterfuneralhome.com