VanLeur, Jacob M.

Other Events:

• Military Service: Bef 1946; WWII - US Army
• Obituary: 15 Apr 2000; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Military Service:
Jake served as a master sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a survivor of D-Day on the beaches of Normandy and spent his years of service in England and France.

Obituary:
Jacob M. Van Leur, Age 88, died Wednesday, April 12, 2000 at Lakeside Nursing and Rehabilitation in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Jake was born on June 13, 1911, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Johannes and Henrika (Werts) Van Leur. As a young man, Jake and his family lived in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Mook Holland, Chicago, Illinois, and Kimberly, Wisconsin. Jake served as a master sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a survivor of D-Day on the beaches of Normandy and spent his years of service in England and France. He married Kathryn Anderson on February 14, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois. After living in California for several years, Jake and Kathryn moved back to Appleton, Wisconsin, where he then opened a real estate business in 1950. Jake was an active businessman in the community and belonged to several service organizations including the Appleton Elks where he rose to the level of Exalted Ruler in 1967-68. He was an avid sportsman, playing golf whenever he could and never missing a home Packer game during the Lombardi years. He was the proud father of two daughters and devoted to his family. Jake and Kathryn retired to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1970, but moved back to Wisconsin in 1986 to be closer to their grandchildren. Jake is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathryn; daughter, Jacqueline (Jeff) Tollefson, Eau Claire; daughter, Lisa (Andrew) McCracken, San Diego, California; and a special part of his family, Debbie (John) Fraedrich, Cobden, Illinois. His grandchildren are Lindsey and Drew Tollefson, Kate McCracken and Anna, Jacob, Joseph, Joshua and Lael Fraedrich. He is also survived by a sister, Betsy Timmers, Appleton. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Johanna Kemps, and two brothers, John and George. A private memorial service will be held at Fuller-Speckien Funeral Home in Eau Claire with interment in Appleton. The family requests memorials sent to Eau Claire Youth Hockey at 4562 Clover Drive, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701.

Jacob married Anderson, Kathryn Clara 14 Feb 1948, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA. Kathryn was born 17 May 1921, Mattoon, Coles, Illinois, USA; died 12 Sep 2000, Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]