Carol
Ann (Walvoord) VanSluys, age 84, went to her heavenly home on April 9, 2018.
Carol
was born on May 4, 1933 in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, oldest child of the
late
M.
William and Cornelia (Smies) Walvoord. Carol graduated from Oostburg High
School and attended vocational school for drafting. She was employed by R.A.
Manning Lighting Manufacturers, drawing light fixtures until 1955. Carol
learned to do photo-coloring from Margaret Crocker, wife of Rogers Crocker, a
well known Sheboygan photographer, and continued to color photographs until
color photography made the job obsolete. Carol married George VanSluys on May
7, 1955. George and Carol made their home in rural Cedar Grove, where George
ran his own radio/TV repair business, “George's Radio & TV”, and Carol had
her business, “Carol's Studio”.
Carol
did photo-coloring for many years, but also enjoyed oil painting. She won many
awards for her paintings including two “Best of Show” trophies at the Holland
Festival Art Fair in Cedar Grove. Many people in the Sheboygan area have a
painting by Carol hanging in their home. Another aspect of “Carol's Studio” was
a furniture re-upholstery business that she ran for many years. She also did
the bookkeeping for her husband's business. Carol was quite the “handyman”
installing flooring, removing walls, and doing many carpentry type projects in
their 1889 home. To make Carol's life even busier she and George had five
daughters.
Carol's
main hobby was reading. She loved her books! She also enjoyed playing the piano
and the accordion. Carol was an active member of First Reformed Church, Cedar
Grove where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, was a member of a
ladies circle and attended bible studies. Carol's faith was very important to
her.
Carol
is survived by four daughters: Sharon VanSluijs, Oregon, WI, JoAnn (Rev.
Stephen) Dietzler, Combined Locks, WI, Sandra (Michael) Reisenauer, New
Franken, WI, Sue (Thomas) Wolinski, Green Valley, AZ; one son-in-law: Edwin
Gildemeister, Random Lake, WI; nine grandchildren: Harmonie (Dale) Foster, Adam
Gildemeister, Jonathan Gildemeister, Lance Gildemeister, Samuel Neese, Grace
Neese, Angela (Chris) Huenink, Aaron (Lindsay) Radke, Shawn (Carley) Belisle;
ten great-grandchildren: Dale Lin Foster II, Anthony Foster, Alexandra Foster,
Caitlyn Huenink, Donovan James (DJ) Huenink, Carson Radke, Lauren Radke, Conner
Radke, Tristan Radke, and Alexander Belisle. Also sisters/brother: Evelyn Dahl,
WI, Majorie Hoftiezer, IL, Bonita (Douglas) Buteyn, AK, Nelda Silva, NY, Andrew
(Mary) Walvoord, TX, Fern VanDriest, MN, Faye Bergmann, IL, nieces, nephews,
cousins, and friends. Carol was preceded in death by her husband George, her
daughter Linda J. Gildemeister, her parents M. William and Cornelia Walvoord
and by her brother Henry Walvoord.
Funeral
services for Carol will be held on Tuesday April 17, 2018 at 1:00 pm at First
Reformed Church Cedar Grove, 237 South Main Street Cedar Grove, with the Rev. Chris
Schaefer officiating. Friends will be received at the church on Tuesday from 11:00
am until the time of service. Burial will be at the Presbyterian Cemetery, Hwy
32 Cedar Grove.
The
family would like to express sincere thanks to the staff of Pine Haven Covenant
Home, and Pine Haven Faith Home, Sheboygan Falls, for their excellent care and
loving attention to our mother's needs during the past years. Also, a thank you
to Pastor Schaefer and the church family of First Reformed Church Cedar Grove
for their countless visits and prayers, and to the Sharon S. Richardson
Community Hospice for making her last days comfortable.
A
memorial fund has been established in her name.
For
online condolences and additional information please visit
www.wenigfh.com
The
staff of the Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg (920-564-2771) is assisting the Van
Sluys family with arrangements.
