Sylvia D. VanDeraa, age 89, of Clintonville passed away Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at Greentree Health & Rehabilitation Center, Clintonville.
The former Sylvia Delores Johnson was born on June 24, 1929 in the Town of Navarino, Shawano County, to Carl and Ida (Christianson) Johnson. She grew up in the Navarino / Shiocton area and graduated from Shawano High School. In June of 1951 she was united in marriage to Clarence H. Daebler and the couple was blessed with three children. In Sylvia’s early days, she did a lot of seasonal work at the glove factory, sauerkraut canning company, and the shoe factory. The couple dairy farmed in Bear Creek for some years in the 1960’s. In 1969 Sylvia and Clarence returned to the Town of Navarino and they continued farming for several more years. She started doing home health care and some respite care for numerous individuals around the area. After close to 25 years of caring for others, she retired in 2010. In November of 1994 she married Henry J. VanDeraa and they shared lots of good times together until his passing in 2002.
Sylvia was a longtime member of Ascension Lutheran Church – Navarino. She liked attending activities at the Clintonville Senior Center, especially playing bingo. Sylvia was famous for her deviled eggs that she brought to the Senior Center and family functions. She enjoyed playing cards, working in her flower garden, and going to rummage sales. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandkids. Sylvia will be remembered most as a spunky and determined hard working lady.
Survivors include three children; Steve (Joy) Daebler of Navarino, Karen (Jerry) Rickert of Appleton, and Dean (Tammy) Daebler of Navarino. There are seven grandchildren: Richard, Thomas, Ronald Marquette; Angelica, Kristina Rickert; Nick and Anika Daebler. There are seven great grandchildren: Kendra, Elisha, Emma, Kamara, Makayla, Eamillia, and Liam. She is further survived by one great-great granddaughter, Mora; a sister, Irene Borree of Kaukauna; two sisters-in-law, Donna Daebler of Appleton and Jane Johnson of Oceanside, CA; many other relatives and friends. Sylvia is preceded in death by her first husband Clarence, second husband Henry, a brother Harvey Johnson, and an infant brother.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 4th at 11:00 AM at Ascension Lutheran Church – Navarino. Pastors Mark and Marcia Sabin will officiate and burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday from 9:30 AM until time of service at the church. Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville, is assisting with the arrangements.
