Thomas M. Van Lieshout, 94, formerly of Door County, passed away at his residence in Green Bay on Tuesday morning, September, 15, 2026 with his family by his side.
He was born on December 21, 1931 in Kimberly, son of the late Francis and Mayme (Van Heeswyk) Van Lieshout. Both of Tom’s parents were from the town of Uden in the Netherlands. Tom was fond of saying if you “ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much”.
Tom was a graduate of Kimberly High School with the class of 1948. He attended and played football at UW Oshkosh and was drafted into the US Army during his senior year. Tom served as a surveyor during the Korean War. Following his Honorable Discharge, Tom attended UW Madison to pursue the first of his many Master’s Degrees.
On June 16, 1956 he married Betty Davis in Green Bay. The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this summer. Tom was an English and Math teacher and football coach at Sheboygan North High School and Green Bay East. He also was a Basketball referee. Later, Tom became the Principal at Southern Door High School and Kewaunee High School until his retirement.
Tom was very active at St Mary of the Angels (Green Bay) and Holy Name of Mary (Maplewood) Parishes. He was a lecturer and Eucharistic Minister. He enjoyed taking Communion to and visiting with the people who were unable to come to Mass. Tom kept very active, he loved being a magician, golfing, hunting, fishing, the Packers, Cubs, and Badgers. Owning and operating a cherry orchard in Maplewood was another passion. He was a member of the Maplewood Forestville Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, and Forestville American Legion Post 372.
Tom is survived by his wife of 70 years: Betty Van Lieshout; four children: Victoria Van Lieshout, Robert (Marilyn) Van Lieshout, Mark (Julie) Van Lieshout, and Patrick (Michelle) Van Lieshout; nine grandchildren: Jaret Ornelas SJ, Myrinda Ornelas, David (Iwona) Van Lieshout, Kathleen (Matt) Lewis, Matthew (Kayla) Van Lieshout, Benjamin Van Lieshout, Alexander (Ashley) Van Lieshout, Joshua (Brianna) Van Lieshout, Jakob Van Lieshout; nine great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents: Francis and Mayme Van Lieshout; 9 brothers and sisters; one brother-in-law and one sister-in-law.
Visitation for Tom will be held on Wednesday evening, September 23, 2026 at Forbes Funeral Home & Cremations, 319 W Spruce St, from 3:00 PM until the time of a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10:30 AM on Thursday morning, September 24, 2026 at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, 7491 Cty Rd H, Maplewood. There will not be visitation on Thursday morning. Officiating at the Mass will be Rev. Bill Brunner. Military Honors will be accorded following Mass. Cremation will take place following services and an additional celebration of Tom’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the memorial scholarship fund that has been created at Southern Door High School in Tom’s memory.
The Forbes Funeral Home & Cremations is assisting the family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be left for Tom’s family on his tribute page at www.forbesfuneralhome.com.
