Fox Valley Grief Network

General Information 

The Fox Valley Grief Network (FVGN) is comprised of professionals and non-professionals who journey with the bereaved in the Fox Valley area. The group meets quarterly and includes people working in a variety of professions: social worker, counselor, clergy, lay minister, parish nurse, hospice volunteer, bereavement support coordinator, school guidance counselor, funeral directors, chaplain, etc. The group gathers for the purpose of: 

• Networking with other professionals in the field to share resources and expertise 

• Learning about area programs, support systems, resources, and events in the Fox Valley, 

• Identifying and addressing areas of grief support that may be lacking 

• Promoting the normalcy of grief, and 

• Remaining current in methods that are most effective in journeying with the bereaved. 

For more information about FVGN, to become a member, or receive regular mailings, please contact the current chair, Sandi Moore, at 920-735-5693.  

Fox Valley Grief Support Groups and Services 

General Grief Groups

Grief Support Drop-In Groups 

Open to any adult grieving the death of a loved one. Refreshments and handouts are provided. No fee. Contact Deb Kosmer, Affinity Visiting Nurses, at 920-727-2013. 

• Oshkosh: 1st Thursday, St. Andrew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Murdock Avenue. Groups offered at 2:30 & 6:30 p.m. 

• Appleton: 1st Tuesday, Thompson Community Center, 820 W. College Avenue. Groups offered at 2:30 & 6:30 p.m. 

Open Grief Group 

1st & 3rd Thursday of the month, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 1025 W. 5th Street, Oshkosh (in parish office building behind church). Anonymous, ecumenical, no fee. Contact Linda Hillary at 920-235-7421. 

Caring Companions Bereavement Support Group 

Four week evening sessions offered in April and September at St. Mary’s, Menasha for adults mourning the loss of a loved one. Ecumenical, no fee. Contact Joan Spielbauer at 920-725-7714. 

Grief Share 

Support group for anyone who has lost a loved one, recent or past. 

• Appleton: St. Bernard Parish, sessions held throughout the year. No fee. For start dates, contact Pam at 920-739-0331. 

• Neenah: Calvary Bible Church, Wednesdays, 7:00—9:00 p.m. 13 sessions held during the year, room 145. No fee, $15 workbook optional. Contact Debbie Smoll at 920-725-3896 . 

The Starting Point 

This program is located at Fox Valley Technical College and offers free individual counseling and workshops for persons in transition, including bereaved individuals. Contact Sandi at 920-735-5693. 

Theo (To Help Each Other) 

Support and learning for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. 1st and 3rd Mondays. Non-denominational, no fee; St. Mary’s Church, 312 S. State Street, Appleton. Contact Donna Nemecek at 920-739-2093 or the Parish office at 920-739-5119. 

A Time To Mourn 

A Time to Mourn is a six week grief group offered to adults who have lost an adult loved one through death. The group will be co-led by professionals trained in grief support. The next series will be held from 6:00-8:00 on Tuesday evenings from September 6 through October 11 in the Patio Lounge of Carmel Residence. The sessions are free of charge, but registration is required. If you have any questions or if you or someone you know would benefit from this group, please call Chaplain Cathie Vander Velden at Bethel Home, 920-232-5274, to register.

Living With Loss—Six Week Group 

Grief support group for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Group is offered through ThedaCare At Home Hospice in Appleton. Group meets on Monday evenings. No fee, advance registration required. Contact Stefenie Post, Bereavement Coordinator, ThedaCare At Home Hospice, at 800-984-5554 or 920-730-3408. Email:

Living With Loss—Drop In Group 

Monthly education and support offered by ThedaCare At Home Hospice for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one . No fee, advance registration appreciated. Contact Stefenie Post, ThedaCare At Home Hospice, at 800-984-5554 or 920-730-3408. 

Locations and dates include:

• Waupaca: 2nd Thursday of the month from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Maasch Center, 902 Riverside Drive, Waupaca.

• Clintonville: 3rd Wednesday of the month from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Clintonville Community Center, 30 S. Main Street, Clintonville.

Men Journeying Through Grief 

Open to men of all ages who have experienced the death of a loved one. Gatherings include supper, discussion, education, and resources. No fee, advance registration appreciated. Contact Deb Kosmer at 920-727-2013. 

Journey of Hope

Grief support group for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one. 3rd Tuesday of the month, 9:45 - 10:45 a.m., St. Paul Villa Chapel, 316 E. 14th Street, Kaukauna. No fee. Contact Sue at 920-766-6180.

Widows / Widowers 

Rainbows 

Provides a social environment for widows and widowers. Meetings are held the 3rd Sunday of each month and weekly breakfast locations vary. Other activities included. No fees. Contact Milsom Zimmerman at 920-733-7817. 

New Beginnings 

A social dinner group for widows and widowers held on the 1st Friday and 2nd Wednesday of each month at various locations in the Fox Valley. Advance registration is required. Contact Donna Nemecek at 920-739-2093 or Emily at 920-766-2341.

Grieving Parents 

Remembering Through Sharing 

Supports those who have experienced a miscarriage, stillborn, or neonatal death. Special commemorative events, such as the Walk to Remember and Candlelight Memorial, are held during the year. For more information, contact the RTS coordinator at 920-729-2087.

Compassionate Friends 

For bereaved parents who have experienced the death of a child at any age. Group meets on the 4th Thursday of the month, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 1025 Tullar Road, Neenah. Contact Karen Schumacher at 920-722-6778.

Elizabeth Ministry 

Ministry for bereavement of miscarriage, stillbirth, infant or child death, failed adoptions, and infertility. Support groups, mentoring, memorials, retreat, resource center. Contact Jeannie at 766-9380, 120 W. 8th Street, Kaukauna. 

Pathway To Peace 

An ecumenical memorial service for those who have experienced pregnancy loss or infant loss. Services are held four times each year through St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton and twice each year at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. For dates and times, contact Affinity NurseDirect at 800-362-9900. 

Children and Teens 

Center For Grieving Children 

Programs of peer-to-peer support for grieving children of all ages and their parents. Led by trained facilitators at the Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley, 160 S. Badger Street, Appleton. Gathering includes supper. No fee, advance registration required. Contact Loris Damerow at 731-0555 ext. 244 . 

Camp Hope 

A weekend program providing an atmosphere of love and acceptance for children to express themselves following the death of a loved one. Camps take place at the Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt, WI in spring and fall. No fee. Contact Becky Loy at 715-341-0076. Email: camphope@charter.net 

Camp Lloyd 

A day camp for children grieving the death of a loved one. Camp Lloyd is a safe environment for campers to explore feelings of grief and gain support from one another. Camp takes place June 13-17, 2011 on the UWGB campus. Cost is $35 per camper; families with more than one child attending camp are eligible for a family discount. Contact Illene Noppe at 920-465-2703. 

Grief Relief 

Ongoing peer support groups for children and teens grieving the loss of a loved one. Groups offer an open place to be with other children and teens and share experiences of grief and loss. No fee, advance registration is required. Group meets in Fond du Lac. Contact Sr. Joyann ReppTerri St. Lawrence at 920-924-4660. 

Trauma

Survivors of Suicide (SOS) 

Support group for family members, friends, and coworkers of those who have died by suicide. Minimum age is 14, no fee, advance registration is not necessary. Contact Doug Bisbee at   Groups are sponsored by Community for Hope of Greater Oshkosh, Inc.

• Appleton: 2nd Monday of the month, Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2600 E. Philip Lane, 6:30—8:30 p.m. 

• Oshkosh: 3rd Thursday of the month, United Way/Hooper Community Building, 36 Broad Street, 6:30—8:30 p.m. 

• Ripon: 1st Thursday of the month, Immanuel United Methodist Church, 401 W. Fond Du Lac Street, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 

Other Supports

Hospice Memorial Services 

Many area hospices conduct memorial services throughout the year for the families they have journeyed with and for the general public. Please contact them directly for more information. 

Fullness of Life 

An ecumenical prayer service for grieving families. For dates and times, contact St. Elizabeth Hospital at 920-738-2655 or Mercy Medical Center at 920-223-0120.

Local Churches 

Don’t forget your local church, synagogue, or mosque. Pastors, priests, rabbis, lay ministers, Stephen & Be-Friender Ministries, and Care Ministry can provide comfort and support to the grieving. Faith communities often offer memorial services during the course of the year. 

Professional Counseling 

While the experience of loss, anger, and sadness is a necessary part of grief work, it can be difficult to do without professional support of some kind. Professional counselors play an important role in facilitating healthy grieving and observing signs of complicated grief that can lead to major depression. The Fox Valley area is fortunate to have many qualified, competent, and compassionate counselors. For referrals, please contact your clergy, health care provider, a close & trusted friend, or funeral home. 

Updated 9/23/10