Spanjers, Mathijs J.

1926 - 2008  (82 years)    Has no ancestors and no descendants in this family tree.

• Name	Spanjers, Mathijs J.
  Born	18 Mar 1926	Escharen, , Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
  Gender	Male
  Military Service	Royal Dutch Army during the Dutch-Indonesian Conflict
  Military Service Awards	VULNERATUS-NEC-VICTUS pin of honor
  Immigration	Abt 1953
  Occupation	Between 1956 and 1991
  Gilbert Paper Company after 36 years
  Gilbert Paper Company after 36 years
  Died	13 Oct 2008
  Obituary	16 Oct 2008
  Appleton Post Crescent
  Spanjers, Mathijs J. "Matt" Mathijs Josephus Spanjers, age 82, of Menasha, passed away after a long illness on Tuesday morning the 14th of October, 2008, at Brewster Village with his loving wife Johanna by his side. Matt was born to the late Franciscus and Maria (Franssen) Spanjers on March 28, 1926, in Escharen, Noord Braband, The Netherlands. As a teenager, he played a part in the Dutch Resistance, transporting needed foodstuffs through an underground network to the destitute and displaced. Matt served in the Royal Dutch Army during the Dutch-Indonesian Conflict where he was wounded and awarded the VULNERATUS-NEC-VICTUS pin of honor. On February 11, 1953, he married Johanna Willems Van Dijk in Zeeland, Noord Braband. For the past 55 years they enjoyed their honeymoon in the U.S.A. Matt and Jo settled in Menasha, WI, in 1957 and became U.S. citizens in the early '70s. He traveled to Tennessee, Arizona, Oregon, California, Minnesota, and Colorado visiting his children and grandchildren. Simple things like storytelling, gardening, tinkering with bicycles, scouts with his children, rides in the country, picnics, and fishing made his life fun. Matt retired at age 65 from Gilbert Paper Company after 36 years of employment. He cherished his neighbors and friends. Selfless as he was, friends were his for life. He is survived by his wife, Johanna Spanjers; four children: Frank (Sara) Spanjers, Tucson, AZ; Mary (Scott) Gressler, Colorado Springs, CO; John (Michelle) Spanjers, Forest Lake, MN; Sue (Jim) Jakubek, Appleton, WI; nine grandchildren: Matt Spanjers, Martin Spanjers, Rebecca (Derek) Swanson, Rachel Gressler, Emily Spanjers, Joe Spanjers, Jeanette Spanjers, Dylan Jakubek, Hannah Jakubek, and five Godchildren: Dorothy Solberg, Liz Boyd, Maggie Obry, Mary Jo Kuzma, and Liz Erickson; two brothers: Jan (Anns) Spanjers, Piet (Annie) Spanjers; three sisters: Antonia (Frank) Schenkels, Anna Scheepens, Josephine (Nol) Bleumink; brothers-in-law: Gerrit Willems Van Dijk, Wim (Gerda) Willems Van Dijk; sisters-in-law: Toos (Ted) Timmers, Riet Van Dongen, Dora Spanjers; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Matt was also preceded in death by his brothers: Tony, Martin, Fr. Willem; sister, Sr. Odrada "Bets," sisters-in-law: Corrie, and Eileen; a brothers-in-law: Jan and Willy. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2008, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 324 Nicolet Blvd, Menasha, with Fr. Paul Radetski officiating. A memorial gathering will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Inurnment will take place in St. Margaret Cemetery. Thank you to the caring staff and residents of Brewster Village. You made Matt feel like he was at home and with family. Martens-Laemmrich Funeral Home Menasha, 920-722-8252 Light a candle in memory of Matt at: www.martens-laemmrich funeralhome.com
  Reference Number	5750
  Buried	St. Margaret Catholic Cemetery, Neenah, Wisconsin, USA
  Person ID	I315758	1FamilyTree
  Last Modified	2 Sep 2018

  
  

  Family	Vandijk, Johanna Willems,   b. Abt 1928, , , , Netherlands ,   d. 8 Aug 2015  (Age ~ 87 years)
  Married	11 Feb 1953	Zeeland, , Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
  Last Modified	26 Sep 2016
  Family ID	F205702	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map	Load the map	Born - 18 Mar 1926 - Escharen, , Noord-Brabant, Netherlands Married - 11 Feb 1953 - Zeeland, , Noord-Brabant, Netherlands Buried - - St. Margaret Catholic Cemetery, Neenah, Wisconsin, USA  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set