Joseph C. Van Asten

Joseph C. Van AstenJoseph C. Van Asten, 83, of 128 N. Brooke Street, died Tuesday, December 27, 2005, at the Clement Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center in Milwaukee. He was born November 15, 1922, in Wisconsin Rapids, the son of Christian J. and Sophia (Prausa) Van Asten. On September 30, 1942, he married Elizabeth Nickless in Wisconsin Rapids. She preceded him in death on September 24, 1993. Mr. Van Asten was a member of Holy Family Parish-St. Mary's Church. He was formerly employed by Mercury Marine as a machinist and set-up man for 37 years, retiring in 1986. He was a veteran of the US Army serving stateside during WW II. He was a retired member and past officer of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Lodge 1947, the Wisconsin Conservation Alliance for 37 years, the Quarter Century Club of Mercury Marine. Joseph was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, and especially loved traveling to his cabin in Pray, WI. He was a member of Trier-Puddy American Legion Post #75 and the Disabled American Veterans.Surviving are four daughters, Patricia (William) Essmann of Fond du Lac, Cecelia Jones of Racine, Christine (Thomas) Strebe of Eden, and Roxanne Van Asten, address unknown, two sons, Francis Van Asten of Bloomington, MN, and Guy (Mary) Van Asten of Seminole, FL, 15 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He is further survived by a brother, Jerome (Jeanne) Van Asten of Milwaukee, two sisters, Ann Hunyady of Socorro, NM, and Mary Hogue of Miami Beach, FL, his life companion of 25 years, Theresa Timm of Fond du Lac, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.



Cremation will take place. A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday January 2, 2006 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Parish-St. Joseph's Church. The Rev. John Radetski will officiate. Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com