Gretchen Van Houten

Gretchen Van Houten, age 83 of Waupun, died on Friday, August 14, 2015 at the Christian Home.

Gretchen was born on April 3, 1932 in Waupun, a daughter of John and Johanna (Koenings) Kwakkel. On April 19, 1952, she married Clarence Van Houten in the Alto Christian Reformed Church. Gretchen worked at the shoe factory of Beaver Dam and Wells in Fond du lac for a number of years. She enjoyed baking and cooking for the family. She was devoted to her family; loving mother, and a proud grandmother, great-grandmother and great great-grandmother. Gretchen was a longtime member of Waupun Baptist Church and current member of Edgewood Community Church in Waupun.

Gretchen is survived by, her son, James and his wife Linda Van Houten, her daughters, Joyce McCoy, and Janet and her husband Ron Drefhal, her son, Jon and his wife Sue Van Houten. She is further survived by grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, Terry Radant, and Robert Larson; two sisters, Albertha Loomans and Julene (Clarence) Kikkert; brother Willis (Sharon) Kwakkel; brothers-in-law Elmer Hopp and Roy Van Houten, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband and daughter, Judy Larson; son-in-law Dave Rogers; brother Gilbert Kwakkel; three sisters Harriet Kikkert, Junice Hopp, and Jean Vande Slunt.

A memorial service for Gretchen will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Kohls Community Funeral Home, 405 W. Main Street, Waupun with Pastor Mike Giebink officiating. A private inurnment will be in the Alto Cemetery.

Gretchen’s family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Tuesday beginning at 11 a.m. until the time of services.

Memorials may be directed to the Christian Home and Rehabilitation Center in Waupun.