Alois Van Handel

Alois "Al" Sylvester Van Handel, 74, of Freedom, Wisconsin, passed away in the loving hands of his family Thursday, December 18, 2014 at Brewster Village Nursing Home in Appleton. He was born on May 6, 1940, the ninth of twelve children of the late Joseph and Mary Van Handel of Freedom. Al loved to garden, square dance, and spend time playing cards with his many friends and large family.
Al graduated from Freedom High School in 1958, and always worked at least two jobs. He worked for American Can Company (later James River and Graphic Packaging) for 50 years until his retirement in 2011, while also working for Gonnering Farms, and later owning a family dairy farm. Al always had a large vegetable garden, and was known for sharing his harvest with many in the community.
Al married Romae Antoinette Liebergen, his wife of 50 years, on April 4, 1964 at St. Patrick's Church in Greenleaf. Al is survived by his wife Romae, and their seven children: Roxanne (Tim) Lutgen, Renee (Mark) Uitenbroek, Rochelle (William) Oskey, Rebecca Van Handel (special friend Terry Seidl), Rosanne Trepanier (fiancAC. William Smith), Alois Jr. (Melissa) Van Handel, and Robin (Erich) Vanstrom. Al and Romae have 19 grandchildren: Siobhan (Zeb) Allen, Ray and Declan O'Connell, Ben (Kassy), Nyssa, and Hannah Lutgen, Anthony and Jaymie Holtz, Jerome "Romy" Oskey, Monica and Wayne Trepanier, Taniesha, Tahvia, Tabraea, and Tavyn Vanstrom, Gregory, Erin, Christine, and Joseph Uitenbroek. Lastly, Al and Romae have 2 great grandchildren, Lyla Lutgen and Colton Allen.
Al is further survived by his mother-in-law, Agnes Liebergen (special friend Barney Driessen); eleven brothers and sisters: Arnold (Geraldine) Van Handel, Clarence (Mary) Van Handel, Julia Priesler, Irene Schneidewend, Rosie (Bob) Weiland, Delores (Ron) Nussbaum, Dorothy Plutz, Norbert Van Handel, Margaret Liebergen (special friend Darwin Schwartz), Marvin Van Handel (special friend Pat Barker), and Anthony (Kathy) Van Handel; and three brothers-in-law, Roger (Kay) Liebergen, Ronald (Lois) Liebergen, and Roy (Carol) Liebergen.
Al was preceded in death by his son, Joseph Sylvester Van Handel, his parents, father-in-law, Nestor Liebergen, brothers-in-law: Steve Preisler, Philip Schneidewend, Jerry Plutz, Ivo Liebergen, and Richard Liebergen; and sister-in-law, Suzanne VandeHey.
Friends may call at Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home, Seymour on Sunday, December 21, 2014 from 3-6 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Nicholas Church in Freedom on Monday, December 22, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. until services at Noon with Pastor Walter Stumpf officiating. Luncheon will follow in the parish hall, and burial will take place at St. Nicholas Church Cemetery, Freedom. Online condolences may be expressed at www.muehlboettcher.com .

A special thank you to the staff at Brewster Village Nursing Home in Appleton for all their wonderful care and concern.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Freedom High School for the Alois Van Handel Scholarship.