Dorothy Vredenburg

Dorothy Vredenburg ( nee Thomas) of Waukesha, died November 19, 2008, at the age of 93 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital after a long illness. She was born June 18, 1915, in the Town of Sullivan, Waukesha County, Wisconsin to parents Lewis & Alice (Aplin) Thomas. On April 28, 1934, she married Arthur Vredenburg who predeceased her on September 28 2004, after their 70th wedding anniversary celebration. She is survived by children: JoAnne Simon, Derby, Kansas; Rhoda (Clarence) Prager , Waukesha, Donald (Joanne) Vredenburg of Cedar City, Utah; James (Sharon) Vredenburg of Covina, California; Roger (Monika) Vredenburg, Waukesha and her youngest daughter Linda Vredenburg of Waukesha who was her best friend. She is also survived by sister-in-law Minnie (Arthur) Thomas of Palmyra, 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Dorothy always anticipated her weekly TOPS meetings and appreciated her many loyal and caring friends in the TOPS organization, especially Lois Anschutz. Preceding her in death was her husband Arthur, sister Mildred (Henry) Bollogh, brother Arthur (Minnie) Thomas, half brothers Clayton (Ethel) Thomas and Harold (Mae) Thomas, grandsons Lance Vredenburg and Vincent Vredenburg. In her childhood Dorothy attended the two room Hardscrabble School in Palmyra near the Thomas farm and throughout her life she enjoyed hearing the latest news of family life and events in the Palmyra area. She met her husband Arthur at a dance and together they enjoyed and attended many local dances with friends. The couple raised six children and cared for foster children. In 1994 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at a special event at the Waukesha County Fair recognizing and honoring local couples married more than 50 years. Dorothy visited two sons in California when she made a cross-country Amtrak train trip to California in 1990 with her three daughters and photos taken there show her huge smile in the midst of all the Disney characters. Throughout her life Dorothy enjoyed her family and friends and eating out. She had a special gift of being interested in everyone and their lives and until just recently her incredible memory held onto it all and was a resource for others. A private family burial will be at Prairie Home Cemetery. Buy a flower for a friend, fill out an organ donation card, or do a good deed today in memory and honor of Dorothy’s long life. The family is grateful to Dr. Gerald Berman for his many years of caring for Dorothy.For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com to leave an on-line tribute.