Revana ("Vannie") Irene Mader

Revana Irene (Helvey) Mader passed away peacefully with family by her side on January 25, 2024. She was born April 3, 1940, in Appleton, WI, to the late Loren Robert and Leola Desdemonde (Coon) Helvey. She attended Appleton West High School, graduating with the class of 1958. She married her partner in life, Alan David Mader, on November 7, 1959, in Appleton, WI, where they raised a family and continued to make their home together for sixty years.

Revana was devoted to her family, but also an avid reader and a lifelong learner. She returned to school once her children were grown, earning a Licensed Practical Nursing degree from Fox Valley Technical College in 1979 and graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UW-Oshkosh in 1987. She worked as a registered nurse for Theda Clark Hospital and Winnebago County Human Services until her retirement in 2002, serving and strongly advocating for persons with mental illnesses and disabilities.

Revana was also an accomplished seamstress, sewing everything from the dresses for her own wedding to amazing Halloween costumes for her grandchildren and beautiful quilts for family and friends. She gifted a handmade quilt to each grandchild upon their high school graduation. Revana will also be remembered for her love of pets, her green thumb and colorful gardens, and for making the most delicious pies.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Amy (Gilbert) Holzem of Chippewa Falls, WI; son Robert (Marcy) Mader of Menasha, WI; sister June (Roger) Gerhardt of La Crosse, WI; brother-in-law John (Barbara) Mader of Cincinnati, OH; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews. Revana was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

Visitation will take place at the Wichmann Tri-County Chapel at 1592 Oneida Street in Menasha, from 9:30 am – 11 am on Saturday, February 24, 2024, followed by a memorial service at 11 am and luncheon. Revana will be privately interred at Appleton Highland Memorial Park at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity in her name.