Carroll Arthur Vandenbush
Carroll Arthur Vandenbush, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, passed away Friday, May 7, 2021, following a battle with congestive heart failure. He was born April 21, 1931, the first born child to Arthur and Alvina (Skaletski) Vandenbush and grew up on the family farm on Ontario Road in Bellevue.
Carroll met the love of his life, Angeline “Angie” Jurgens, at a church picnic at Holy Martyr’s Church in Green Bay and they were married on June 15, 1957 at St. Willebrord Catholic Church. It was on their honeymoon that Angie taught Carroll how to row a boat and fish for the first time in his life. Since then, he remained an avid fisherman who also loved to camp and be outdoors. Together they had two children. The eldest being their son Keith Vandenbush, who passed away in 2004. They also had a daughter Debbie (Vandenbush) Grutzik. Debbie was Carroll’s loving caregiver for the past 6 years and was at his side throughout his last breaths.
Carroll graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1949. He later attended St. Norbert College for one semester. He decided college wasn’t for him and began his career at American Can Paper Company where his father worked. He worked on the paper machines making Northern Paper products and worked his way up to being Boiler Plant Operator. He retired from James River Corporation after 43 years in 1992. Carroll was a hardworking man. Early in his working career, he built 3 homes in the Allouez area, the last of which he lived in for the rest of his life. Carroll loved his home and was very proud of the quality home he built for his family. All this while, Carroll helped his father on the family farm. He took over the farming operation completely when his father passed away in 1973, and continued working full time at the paper mill while operating the farm full time. Carroll took great pride in both. The family farm was purchased by the city to become part of an Industrial Park in 1988. Carroll also served his country in the Army National Guard for 6 years.
Carroll was as a man of faith and was a founding member of Resurrection Catholic Church. He loved sports and enjoyed watching the Packers, Bucks, Brewers, and Badgers. Carroll will be remembered for his jokes, sense of humor, his smile, and as a loving, caring, and devoted family man.
He is survived by his daughter, Debbie (Dave) Grutzik, De Pere; two grandchildren, Melissa (Michael) Servi, and their son Charlie, Green Bay, WI, and Scott (Michelle) Grutzik, and their three children, Henry, Calvin, and Theo Grutzik, all of Wausau, WI; and one special doggie, “Tasha”; his sister, Patricia Van Ark; sister-in-law, Janet Bohn, Peshtigo; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Carroll was preceded in death by his wife, Angie; his son, Keith Vandenbush; his parents; brother, Roy Vandenbush; sister, Mary Jane Scray; and several other brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Friends may call at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Hilltop Drive, on Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Tom Reynebeau officiating. Entombment will be in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum. On-line condolences may be given at www.prokowall.com.
Carroll’s family extends a special word of thanks to the caring nurses and staff of Unity Hospice, and to Dr. Matthias Fuchs and Dr. Robert Mead.