Dawn C. Van Ooyen

Dawn Van Ooyen, 63, Bellevue, died unexpectantly, Monday evening, November 25, 2013, at home. Born March 19, 1950, in Green Bay, she is the third of eight children born to the late Edgar and Viola (Gee) Bruening. Dawn is a graduate of Preble High School, Class of 1968. Dawn met a young man, Ed James, while he played for the Green Bay Bobcats. She later joined him in Montreal Canada, where the couple lived prior to a tragic canoe accident that claimed his live. Dawn returned to Green Bay to help her father raise her younger siblings. She later was employed with Gandrud Automotive where she remained for the 39 years. It was during this time that she met and later married Victor “Smokey” Van Ooyen on March 26, 1983. Smokey was her love and he added a new excitement to her life until he preceded her in death on June 26, 1994, at the young age of 39.

Dawn is survived by her sisters and their spouses, Kaye and Ambrose LaBrosse, Connie and Henry Bukoske, Vicky and Paul Sheffer, Lynn and Mike Kane, and Lori and Tom Growt; her brother and his spouse, Mark and Darlene Bruening all of Green Bay; and her Van Ooyen family, Don “Oil Can” and Shari Van Ooyen of Green Bay, Joe and Amy Van Ooyen of Appleton, and Charly and Pat Van Ooyen of Appleton; and several special nieces and nephews, including her god-daughter, Sarah.

She is also preceded in death by one sister, Gayl Swiecichowski Henquinette.

Memorial gathering at The Rite Place, 1580 Bellevue Road, on Sunday, December 1, 2013, from 12noon until 2pm.