Obituary of Agnes Vandevelde

Agnes Ann Wickenheiser was born in Carleton, Michigan on February 1, 1931. She was the daughter of the late August Wickenheiser and the late Paulina "Lena" (Rivard) Wickenheiser. Agnes attended St. Patrick Church and its grade school. She graduated with the class of 1949 from St. Mary's Academy. Following graduation, Agnes attended the St. Vincent School of Nursing for one year. Agnes married the love of her life Oscar Vandevelde on May 1, 1954 at St Patrick. In 1962 the family moved to LaSalle from Carleton Soon after being married Agnes quit her position with the Monroe Evening News. She took on the responsibility of being a homemaker raising the couple's eight children. The family would attend St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monroe. Agnes listed her hobbies as sewing, ceramics, and loved to dance. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing scrabble, and watching the hummingbirds outside her window. After the children left home, Agnes went back to work at the paper. She later ran a tax business out of her home for many years, and she shared this skill by volunteering at the Monroe Senior Center doing taxes. Agnes age 79 of LaSalle passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2010 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She had been under the care of Heartland Hospice. In addition to her parents her passing was preceded by two brothers: Earl and Lawrence Wickenheiser; three sisters: Clara Joblinski, Teresa Reaume, and infant: Helen Louise Wickenheiser; and brothers-in-law: Allie Joblinski, Julian Zochowski, and Jerome Zochowski. Her memory will be cherished by her husband: Oscar; three daughters: Irene (Dean) Bond, Amy (Michael) Lake, and Nancy (Michael) Crowley all of Monroe; five sons: Edward (Lisa), Charles (Lisa Giarmo), and William Vandevelde all of Monroe, and Martin (Diane) Vandevelde of Livonia and Dennis (Linda Cooley) Vandevelde of Luna Pier; nineteen grandchildren; five great grandchildren; two brothers: Cletus (Pauline) and Herman (Elaine) Wickenheiser; two sisters: RoseMary and Rita Zochowski; seventy-nine nieces and nephews; brother-in-law: Irving Reaume; sister-in-law: Ellen Wickenheiser; and brother and sister-in-law: George and Susan Vandevelde. Friends may gather from 12:00-8:00pm, Monday, August 16, 2010 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185 where the Rosary will be recited at 7:00pm. Agnes will lie-in-state from 9:00am until the Mass of the Resurrection at 10:00am, Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at St. John Catholic Church. Procession will follow to St. Joseph Cemetery for entombment. Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent De Paul Society, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, or the charity of the donor's choice.