Lois M. Gage

Lois M. Gage, age 81, of Appleton, died unexpectedly on November 20, 2024, while visiting relatives in Wausau. Lois was born in Appleton on August 10, 1943, daughter of the later Wilfred and Agnes (Lamers) Vandenberg. She had been married to Ralph Gage who preceded her in death in 2007.

 Lois grew up in Kimberly, WI the youngest of six siblings. Her formative years served to instill the character traits that she would use to carry out her life’s mission of making the world a better place. Her no-nonsense, organized, efficient, creative love of life approach was forged in her foundation of love and closeness for her parents and siblings; a devotion she lived and cherished throughout her life. Her journey included raising four of the most wonderful, bestest boys the world has ever seen! She enjoyed sharing her culinary skills to add delight and joy to so many family meals, holidays, and celebrations of life. Once she had her kids on the right “path”, she expanded her mission of making the world a better place by bringing her gift for efficiency and organization to her work life, first in the legal field and later in the world of managing several medical practices. Holidays were always special and lively. There was always laughter and games to be played; she had a competitive spirit. Lois kept herself very active with gardening, playing golf and tennis, cross-stitching, and traveling with friends and family. She especially looked forward to her monthly gatherings with her siblings. She was very generous and dedicated to her family. 

She is survived by four sons: Craig Van Nuland, Rob (Margarita) Van Nuland, Daryl (Kathi Hennessey) Van Nuland, and Brian (Shari) Van Nuland. There are six grandchildren: Jacob, Danielle, Ryan, Alex (Meg), Samuel (Olivia) and James; along with one great-grandson Owen. Other survivors include a brother Jim Vandenberg, sisters Eileen Petrie and Phyllis Smits; and in-law Shirley Vandenberg, along with Ralph Gage’s children Mike (Mary) Gage, Jim (Suzie) Gage, Patrick (Barbara) Gage, Kathy (Ben) Van Hout and all their children/grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ralph, infant brother David, brothers Bill Vandenberg and Eugene (Marion) Vandenberg; and a sister Joyce Vandenberg; brothers-in-law Ronald Smits and Paul Petrie, and a sister-in-law Joann Vandenberg.

A service to celebrate Lois will be held at 3:00 PM on Monday, November 25, 2024, at the Jansen Fargo Funeral Home, located at 204 E. Kimberly Avenue in Kimberly, with Deacon Don Schultz officiating. Interment will take place in Holy Name Cemetery at a later date. Visitation for Lois will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 1:00 PM until the time of the prayer service at 3:00 PM.