Dean Richard Van Daalwyk passed away after a brief illness, surrounded by family, on Friday, August 23, 2024, in Appleton, WI. Dean was born on August 9, 1946 to Christiaan and Audrey (Graves) Van Daalwyk in Kenosha, WI.
Dean, the youngest of four siblings, graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1964. He was independent from a young age, working hard at various jobs while still in school.
Dean, at 17 met Diana Spitzer, became high school sweethearts and married on March 4, 1967. They spent the next 57 years building a family and having a wonderful life together.
Dean served on the USS Hornet during the Vietnam War. After his service, he returned home, where he worked at American Motors and Snap-On Tools. He graduated from Gateway Technical College and UW-Parkside.
He built the family home where they raised their three children and lived for 45 years. Dean and his partner Jim Matzur opened Villa Marina and the Boat House Pub and Eatery in downtown Kenosha.
Dean and Diana shared time in Charlotte, NC and eventually Appleton, WI, after retirement to be near their grandchildren and watch them grow. They enjoyed traveling to many destinations together around the world.
Dean is survived by his devoted wife, Diana; children, Cara (Ron) Ancevic, Christiaan (Erin) Van Daalwyk, and Cass (Nathan) Schultz; grandchildren, Alec and Julia Ancevic, Eleanor and Evelyn Van Daalwyk, Isaac, Elise, and Audrey Schultz; and sisters, Kaarin (Jerry) Risvold, Gigi (Donald) Hauke; sister-in-laws, Gloria Van Daalwyk and Loretta Kallas. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jay Van Daalwyk.
Service Date August 31, 2024
SERVICE LOCATION New Life East Lutheran Church- Friedens Campus
A visitation honoring the life of Dean will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Piasecki Funeral Home.
An additional visitation will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church – East (formally Friedens Lutheran Church), 5038 19th Ave., Kenosha, WI from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will follow in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations to New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church – East https://www.newlifekenosha.org/give.
