CLEMENT VAN GOMPEL

Clement M. Van Gompel, age 94, passed away peacefully Monday, October 23, 2023. He was born December 19, 1928, Kimberly, WI, son of the late Vincent and Johanna (Jansen) Van Gompel.

He married Agnes Verkuilen, the love of his life, on September 1, 1951. Together they raised seven children in Menasha, living their greatest values: faith and family. Clem was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church since 1951. He enjoyed the outdoors and shared that love with his children. Clem enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, ice fishing, bow and gun hunting, and any outdoor sport. On his land in Pine River, he built a cabin that he generously shared with all generations of his family, extended family and friends. Clem and family planted evergreen seedlings and nurtured them until they were large enough to sell as Christmas trees from the front yard of his home. He loved to play the harmonica for the family at Christmas. Clem enjoyed playing cards (especially when he won), and reminiscing about his childhood and his military service. He often broke out in song, told jokes, made puns, and had a recognizable, infectious laugh. Clem could fix almost anything and was often found tinkering with projects in his garage. He volunteered to work brat fry events and fish fry events, raised money for faith-based and community organizations. He prayed before every meal and snack and fell asleep every night with his rosary in-hand.

Clem attended Kimberly High School where he was active in basketball, football and was class president his senior year, 1948. While in high school he worked for his grandma at her store, Anne's Lunch, in Little Chute. During WWII, Clem did what many high school boys did to help produce goods while troops were at war, by working at Kimberly Clark. He continued working there after high school and also played semi-pro football as a wide receiver for the Little Chute Flying Dutchmen.

He served in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. After the war, his ship, the USS Miller, was sent on a round-the-world Goodwill Tour. After his return he began working as a Press Operator at Marathon, which became American Can, Menasha, where he worked for 35 years. At American Can he worked his way up to a Foreman position, Flexographic & Rotogravure Superintendent, and then traveled as a Graphic Engineer. He was a member of VFW Post #2126, the American Legion Post #152, and Knights of Columbus Council 1838.

Clem was kind, generous, witty, a great husband, father and grandfather, a genuinely nice man who will be profoundly missed.

Agnes preceded Clem in death on August 18, 2015. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, James C. Van Gompel; a daughter, Paula Fiedler and son-in-law, Michael Fiedler; brothers James and Gerald; and a sister Therese.

He will be missed by daughters: Laura Van Gompel, Menasha; Lisa (Scott) Helker, Seattle, WA; Gina (Dean) Zaretzke, Edgar; Sara (Mike) Scharpf, Oshkosh; Jana Van Gompel, Menasha. He is further survived by grandchildren: Amanda McNamara, Teresa Buss, Brian Fiedler, Angela LaCount, Van Helker, Cal Helker, Sam Zaretzke, Frank Zaretzke; and great grandchildren: Tommy, Benjamin, McKiley, Bryson, Kenzly, Wayne, Hattie; plus many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a sister, Ann H Mitchell.

The Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 528 Second St., Menasha, with Fr. Michael Lightner officiating. The visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 AM until the hour of service. Full Military Honors will follow with the Neenah Menasha Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will be at St. Mary Cemetery in Menasha.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in Clement's name to “St Mary Renaissance Fund,” 528 Second St., Menasha, WI 54952 – or to a charity of your heart's choosing.