Harley M. Vander Kooy

Harley M. Vander Kooy, 85, Weston, died Sunday January 25, 2015 at Rennes Rehab under the care of his family and hospice. He was born July 11, 1929, at Ingersoll in the town of Elderon, son of the late Fred and Agnes (Verkuilen) Vander Kooy. Harley was a 1947 graduate of Wittenberg High School. On July 27, 1953 he married Mary Ann Brzezinski at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, Bevent. She survives. Harley worked in Milwaukee for 25 years and transferred to the Wausau Post Office in 1972 and later retired from the Hatley Post Office in 1992. Harley was a lifetime member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post # 8895, Schofield, lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #4628, Schofield, serving as treasurer for more than 20 years. He was also an officer for Catholic Financial Life for over 20 years. Harley was an active member at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Weston since 1973. He served as Eucharistic minister for 12 years and also served on the parish council and building and grounds committee during the construction of the church. He was also a volunteer at St. Clare's Hospital for more than four years. Special to Harley was the time he spent with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Some of Harley's favorite hobbies included gardening, playing cards, hunting, fishing, watching the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers games, reading and woodworking. Harley proudly served his country for two years in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. During that time he spent 19 months in Korea. Survivors include his wife Mary Ann Vander Kooy, Weston, six children, Jerome (Lorraine) Vander Kooy, Hatley, Dennis (Ann) Vander Kooy, Ringle, Jane (Darrin Ostrander) Vander Kooy, Sun Prairie, Dr. Michael (Leslie) Vander Kooy, Fond du Lac, Doris (Paul) Dix, Shorewood and Laura Vander Kooy, Sun Prairie, his grandchildren Brian (Denise) Vander Kooy, Jennifer (Jeremy) Bukowski, Mark (Alyssa) Vander Kooy; Jeremy (Joei) Vander Kooy, Matthew (Sandra) Vander Kooy, Melissa (Kelly) Goetsch; Joseph Bresette, Jacob (Alaina) Bresette; Morgan Vander Kooy, Luke Vander Kooy; Monica Dix and Martha Dix; great grandchildren, Abby Vander Kooy, Ashley Vander Kooy, Molly Bukowski and a soon to be sibling; Carson Vander Kooy, Lilie Vander Kooy, Olivia Vander Kooy; Audrey Goetsch and Caroline Goetsch. Harley is further survived by his siblings, Joyce Buss, Wittenberg, JoAnn (Kenneth) Morien, Weston, Mary Ann (George) Brown, Merrill as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Pearl Vander Kooy and Elaine Schairer and a brother, Joseph Vander Kooy. The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Wednesday January 28, 2015 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Weston. The Rev. Greg Bohren will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff of St. Clare's Hospital, Ministry Home Care Hospice and Rennes Rehab for the care given to Harley during his time with them. Special thanks to Dr. Bart Issacson for the special care and attention to Harley's needs.