Florence Minnie Vanderhoof, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away at her home on June 2, 2023. She was born in Sturgeon Bay on September 27, 1928, to Emil Meyer and Minnie (Magle) Meyer.
On February 8, 1944, she was united in marriage to Thomas Robert Vanderhoof, Sr, in Tampa Bay, Florida. Together, they built a life on their farm in Institute, raising seven sons. Florence loved tending to her flower beds. She was a caregiver in every sense of the word, as a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. As a mom to seven sons, she was strong, patient, and forgiving.
She was a great cook and baker. Her family enjoyed indulging in her treats. Even when she could no longer bake, she ensured she had treats in the house in case she had company.
Besides feeding seven growing young men, Florence worked in the kitchen at Sevastopol School for 20 years, feeding generations of young people. She was proud to be part of a staff that cooked from scratch using coveted, secret recipes.
Later in life, Florence enjoyed reading, watching westerns, and sitting around her kitchen table catching up with her family members. She was proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and loved to hear updates on their lives.
Her life was defined by her strength. The strength it takes to care for others, the strength it takes to referee seven boys into adulthood, the strength it takes to bury a son, the strength it takes to beat a cancer diagnosis and tuberculosis, the strength it takes to live to 94 and experience great change, loss, and hope.
Florence was preceded in death by her parents; siblings; husband, Thomas Vanderhoof, Sr.; son, John Vanderhoof; and great-grandchildren, Elijah and Hunter.
She is survived by her children, Thomas (Vickey) Vanderhoof, Jr. of Sturgeon Bay, daughter-in-law, Laurie Vanderhoof of Sturgeon Bay, Robert (Gina) Vanderhoof of Stevens Point, Joseph Vanderhoof of Sturgeon Bay, Charles (Karen) Vanderhoof of Luxemburg, David (Marianne) Vanderhoof of Satsuma, Florida, and Peter (Julie) Vanderhoof of Sturgeon Bay; her grandchildren and their families, Thomas Vanderhoof III, Scott Vanderhoof, Sarah (Jake) Duginski [Lamyra, Cloe, Joseph, Loretta], Mindi (Josh Toivonen) Vanderhoof [Jackson, Emersyn], Samantha (Ernest) Beutel, Heather (fiancé Eric Erickson) Vanderhoof [Lakota], Rachel Vanderhoof [Demarcus, Jahzara, Blaze, Garot], Peter Vanderhoof, Jr., Edward (Megan) Vanderhoof, David (Kelly) Vanderhoof, Jr. [Zelda], and Johnny Vanderhoof; many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 9, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Robert Stegmann officiating. Burial will follow at Bayside Cemetery.
Friends may call at the church Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:30 a.m.
The family would like to thank Unity Hospice for the care and counsel they provided Florence. In lieu of memorials, consider donations to Unity Hospice.
Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. is assisting the Vanderhoof family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Florence may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.
