Joan Froelich

Joan M. Froelich, age 92, of Green Bay, WI, peacefully passed away, surrounded by her family, Sunday, November 12, 2023. Born August 3, 1931 in Allouez, WI, to the late George and Nellie (Linssen) Vanden Heuvel.

She was an honor roll graduate of St. Joseph's Academy, Class of 1949, where she was known, along with her best friend, Barb, as the "Giddy Girls." She was actively involved in the Glee Club, League of Sacred Hearts and Drama Club, where she proudly had a role in the school production of Joan of Arc.

In 1954, she married the love of her life, Donald A. Van Den Busch. They met after she winked at him on a train, and they were married for 32 years, raising their 5 children: Lori, Randy, Teri, Ron and Tina. Don preceded her in death in 1986. They enjoyed spending time up north at their "little slice of heaven" with family and friends. Joan also loved her days with her sisters and cousins with their Red Hatter group, the Kluppa Gang, and her monthly luncheons with her group of "Sexy Six." Joan served as a crossing guard for 21 years in the Village of Allouez.

In 1991, Joan married Francis Froelich and they shared 28 years together before he passed away in 2020. They enjoyed traveling, an occasional trip to the casino, and most of all, spending precious time with family.

Joan is survived by 4 children: Lori (Dave) Bergner, Teri Berndt, Ron (Ann) Van Den Busch, Tina (James Carter) Perrigoue and bonus daughter, Susan Verheyen; grandchildren: Paul LeBoeuf, Stacy (Jedd) Jones, Max and Spencer Berndt, Tiffany, Andrew, Kyle (Cassandra) and Jacob Van Den Busch, Tané Acevedo and Ryan Perrigoue and great-grandchildren: Madison (Nick), Jace, Charlotte, Aiden, Emma and Olivia, Valerie and Veronica. Further survived by nieces, nephews, step-children: Steve (Debbie) Froelich, Dennis Froelich, Sue (Joe) Nash, Mary Bowles, Ann (Jim) Hein and Mark Froelich.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Van Den Busch; her husband, Fran Froelich; her son, Randy Van Den Busch; her son-in-law, Jim Perrigoue; her sisters and brothers-in-law: Eleanor (John) O'Hara, Bernice (Howard) Hockers, Elaine (Louis) Lieberg and Marilyn (Al) Gokey; a step-daughter, Julie Hiltunen and a step-son-in-law, Randy Bowles.

Joan was a wonderful, loving mother. She will be best remembered by those who knew her for her sense of humor, her quick wit and her love of chocolate.

It is with the utmost gratitude that we would like to share a heartfelt thank you for the wonderful, tender-loving care she received from Cathy Leitner and Nancy Kustka, who, along with her family, kept her at home, where she so wanted to be.

We would like to further extend a special thank you to Dr. Jason Hoppe and the 7th Floor doctors and nursing staff of St. Vincent Hospital, for the extraordinary attention she received while in their care.

Visitation will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church (130 St. Matthew St., Green Bay, WI), Thursday, November 16, 2023 from 10 to 11:30 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM, with Fr. Bob Kabat, celebrant. Entombment will be in Allouez Catholic Mausoleum.