Lilas Heimann Van Straten

Lilas M. Van Straten, age 88, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 29, 2011 at Appleton Medical Center, with her family by her side. Lilas was born in Appleton on June 4, 1923, daughter of the late Walter and Della (Nettekoven) Merkes. On October 9, 1943, she married Edward Heimann in Appleton. They shared twenty-four wonderful years together prior to his sudden death in 1967. At that time, she began working for H.C. Prange Company in downtown Appleton. In March of 1976, Lilas married Glen Van Straten; Glen preceded her in death in 1993. For many years, Lilas was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church in Appleton where she belonged to the Christian Mothers' Society. Most recently she had been a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church.

Mom was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who devoted her life to her family. She was an exceptional homemaker and cook and enjoyed spending time at home with family for birthdays and special Christmas gatherings, playing cards, sharing kitchen tips and recipes, long walks, reading, flowers, and vacations in northern Wisconsin and in Gulf Shores, Alabama. She loved children, and enjoyed doing special little things for them. Lilas had a way of brightening everyone's day, putting a smile on their face, and putting her family and friends first in her life. During Glen's illness, she devoted her days to caring for him during his stay in the nursing home. Lilas will be remembered as a faith-filled woman, who, throughout life's difficulties, never lost her faith in God.

Lilas is survived by two children: Robert (Rene') Heimann and Jeanne (Jay) Van Geffen, all of Appleton; four grandchildren: Matthew (Vicky) Heimann, John (Jenny) Heimann, Lisa Van Geffen and her fiancé' Kyle Larson, and Laura Van Geffen; two great-grandchildren: Ashton and Makayla; a sister: Joyce (Robert) Van Fossen of Appleton; a brother: James (Mary) Merkes of Appleton; three sisters-in-law: Gladys Heimann of Appleton; Ann Merkes of Appleton; and Carmen Merkes of Shiocton. She also leaves behind her step-children from her marriage to Glen: James (Pat) Van Straten of San Antonio, Texas; Joan (Rodger) Laffey-Roloff of Stoughton; Donna (James) Remmert of Boulder, Colorado; Bonnie Babcock of Eagan, Minnesota; Patricia Eick of Mosinee; Marie (Frank) Walsh of Boulder, Colorado; and Terry (Vicki) Van Straten of Merrill. There are also many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Lilas was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands Edward and Glen, an infant daughter Judy Heimann in 1951; a son William Heimann in 1976; a sister Jane Merkes; brothers Kenneth Merkes, Norbert Merkes, and Richard (Carol) Merkes; and step-sons-in-law: James Laffey, James Babcock and James Eick.

The funeral liturgy for Lilas will be held at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 500 W. Marquette Street in Appleton, with Fr. Thomas Farrell officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Wednesday morning from 9:00 AM until the hour of the service.

Our hearts are heavy with sadness today, for we'll miss your kind and loving ways of helping us through all of life's trials and brightening our days with your smiles. Your kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids too, mean everything to you and you kept all of our pictures right in your view. Now we will frame your picture in our mind, to cherish and love 'till the end of time. Rest in peace, Grandma, we love you.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and nurses in the ICU at Appleton Medical Center for their care and support.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231