Our loving dad, Robert “Bob” John Van Grinsven passed away unexpectedly on February 13, 2025, with us by his side. We believe he was ready to join our mom, his valentine and the love of his life for the past 57 years.
Dad was born on January 16, 1940, at home on the farm in Grand Chute, WI. He attended Holy Name Catholic School and graduated in 1958 from Kimberly High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army, serving for two years. Upon discharge, he got a job at the Kimberly Clark papermill where he worked for several years.
On May 2, 1968, he married our mom, Ann Marie Schwanke Kons. The lived in Kimberly until 1977 when they took a leap of faith, packed up their three young children, and moved to “God’s Country.” After a brief stay in Bonduel, they found a beautiful farmhouse with a barn and several other buildings in rural Clintonville, WI on three acres and began their adventure as antique shop owners and dealers.
For 41 years, Dad and Mom raised us, welcomed grandchildren, celebrated holidays, entertained friends, and built their lives in their Victorian dream home. Ever the entrepreneur, when public interest in antique and furniture refinishing declined in the 80’s, Dad got his realtor and broker license and made a new career for himself. When he got a little older, he started working as a custodian for Clintonville Schools and after a time, he was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor until he retired. Never being one to sit idle, Dad became a part-time Medi Van driver and enjoyed the time spent with the regular riders, getting to know them and learn about their past. Dad was a very caring, compassionate person and he often befriended elderly people, especially those that didn’t have families nearby or at all and would bring them to our home for holidays because “no one should be alone on a holiday.”
Dad was very proud of his Dutch heritage and was fortunate be able to take several trips to the Netherlands to visit family. He loved history and he and Mom had many trips with their close friends to our country’s historic monuments and they especially enjoyed visiting the Victorian mansions in the south and the country music of Nashville.
Dad was a master storyteller and was able to articulate detail and humor in a way that captured the attention of his audience. He didn’t just “tell” a joke or story; he painted a picture in your mind with his choice of words. He was an avid and loyal Jeopardy viewer and he left no Sunday crossword puzzle undone.
He is survived by his three children, Michelle (Dwayne Nash) Pedretti, David (Nikol) Van Grinsven, Deanna (Chris) Holder, grandchildren, Ethan, Alison, Tara, and Peyton, brothers in law Jim Ahrens, John Schwanke, and Keith Bowers, sisters in law Mary Schwanke and Nancy Bowers, and many nephews and nieces.
Dad is preceded in death by our beloved mom, his parents, parents in law, his sister Alice and brother, Lloyd.
He was a man of faith, an Army vet, a husband, a grandpa, a friend, an historian, a woodworker, and a hard worker who did whatever he needed to do to make sure his family was taken care of, but to us, he was just our dad, our everyday hero. He taught us respect, discipline, to treat others with kindness, and how to love with your whole heart. He will be missed beyond words, but we are comforted in knowing he and Mom are together again, forever valentines.
A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday February 22, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Leopolis with Fr. John Girotti and Fr. Vincent officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:30 am until the time of service. Military honors will be conducted by Caroline American Legion Post #456 at the church. Inurnment will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in the spring
