Madonna "Donna" Van Hout

Madonna “Donna” Mae Van Hout (Kern), age 91 of Kimberly, WI joined the loving embrace of her Lord on June 13, 2023.  Donna was born in Appleton on May 20, 1932 to Nicholas and Margaret (Weiland) Kern.  She married Cornelius Van Hout Jr. “Junie” on February 23, 1952.  They were married for 67 years until Junie’s passing in 2019. 

In Donna’s early adulthood, she worked at Zwicker’s knitting mill.  Donna and Junie raised six kids in Kimberly.  Once the kids were all in school, Donna enrolled in cosmetology school and later owned and operated her own salon – Lady Madonna’s – in Kimberly until her retirement.  Donna loved to knit in her spare time, and many family and friends received sweaters and dishcloths from her throughout the years. 

Donna is survived by her six children, Jeff (Sue) Van Hout, Cheryl (Hoss) Hosmer, Randy Van Hout, Todd (Amy) Van Hout, Timm (Barb) Van Hout, and Barb (Jim) Smarzinski; her grandchildren, Andy (Ashley), Nick (S.O. Lindsey), Lisa (Luke), Adam (Tasha), Eric (Molly), Amber (Jeremy), Danielle (Charlie), and Nicole (Jarrod); her 13 great-grandchildren; her beloved granddogs and grandcats; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives, and dear friends. 

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Junie; her parents, Nicholas and Margaret; her siblings, Vincent Kern, Dolores Reinholz, Bernice Schmidt, Joann Jost, Rita Wyngaard, Joyce Frank, Nick Kern, and Lorraine Coopman; as well as all of her brothers and sisters in law. 

A funeral visitation will be held for Donna from 9:30-11 AM on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Holy Spirit Church, 600 E. Kimberly Ave, Kimberly, WI 54136 with a funeral service to follow at 11 AM.  Donna will be laid to rest at Holy Name Cemetery in Kimberly following the service. 

Donna’s family would like to extend a special thank-you to the staff at Peabody Manor and ThedaCare At Home Hospice for the dedication and care shown to her through the last chapter of her life.  You are some of her favorite angels. 

“You are my sunshine.“