By Paul Schmitt
The long-time owner of Van’s Lumber in Dyckesville, Ray Vandenhouten Jr., is being remembered for his commitment to community, customers and employees. Vandenhouten, 81, passed away Sunday evening at a Green Bay hospital. He worked at Van’s Lumber, a business his father Ray, Sr. started in the early 1950s, before taking ownership from 1977 until 2007. Mark Porath, who has worked at Van’s Lumber for the past 40 years, says Vandenhouten was a true business leader that believed in building relationships.
Porath adds that even after retirement, Vandenhouten would still stop in at Van’s Lumber daily to visit with employees and customers. You can find the complete obituary for Ray Vandenhouten, Jr. with this story online.
Raymond “Ray” J. VandenHouten Jr., 81, Dyckesville, died on Sunday evening with his family at his side, November 25, 2018, at St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay. He was born in Kewaunee County on August 27, 1937 to the late Raymond J. VandenHouten Sr. and Helen T. (De Bauche) VandenHouten. Ray graduated from Luxemburg High School where he was a three-sport athlete, later receiving the Luxemburg-Casco School Alumni Award. He served his country in the United States Army Reserves between the years of 1955 and 1962. On August 30, 1958, he married Patricia “Pat” A. Bertrand at St. Mary Church in Luxemburg. Ray began his career at Van’s Lumber & Custom Builders, taking ownership in 1977 until his retirement in 2007. He was very instrumental in building the business to where it is today. Through his loyalty and generosity, he helped many others achieve business success. Ray was a member of St. Louis Church in Dyckesville. Truly a man who gave back to his community and his parish. He loved spending time with his family and was very proud of raising six sons.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Pat, and their sons, Mark (Deborah) VandenHouten, Hobart; Craig (Christine) VandenHouten, Green Bay; Randy (Christine) VandenHouten, Grafton; Chris (Brenda) VandenHouten, Luxemburg; Eric (Michele) VandenHouten, New Franken; Kurt (Marci) VandenHouten, Green Bay; 17 grandchildren, Madeline (Brendan McCoy), Molly, Jason, Kelsey, Alex, Chloe, Erica (Cory Schmidt), Lauren, Chad, Josh, Emily, Lydia, Abby, Ty, Riley, Delaney, Carson; two sisters in law, Jan VandenHouten, Casco; Ann VandenHouten, Luxemburg; sisters in law and brothers in law, nieces and nephews further survive.
Ray was preceded in death by one infant son, Joseph; two brothers, Wayne and Jim VandenHouten.
Friends may call at St. Louis Church, Dyckesville, 3:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2018. Closing parish prayer service with Pat Ratajczak, Pastoral Leader at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue between 9:00 am and 10:45 am on Friday, November 30, 2018, at St. Louis Church, Dyckesville. Funeral 11:00 am on Friday, with Rev. John Van Deuren officiating and Pat Ratajczak assisting. Entombment in the Shrine of The Good Shepherd Mausoleum, Green Bay.
McMahon Funeral Home, Luxemburg is assisting the VandenHouten Family. www.mcmahonfh.com
We are very grateful for the staff of St. Vincent Hospital and Unity Hospice for their care and compassion during the difficult time.
In Lieu of flowers and other tributes, several memorial funds will be established in the name of Ray VandenHouten.
