Juanita M. Van Akkeren of Savanah Circle, formerly of 310 New York Avenue, passed away Tuesday evening, July 2, 2013 on her 81st birthday. Born July 2, 1932 in Sheboygan, Juanita was a daughter of the late Harlow and Susan Vandeberg Pettis. She attended area schools and graduated from Central High School in 1950. On November 11, 1950, she was united in marriage to Donald C. Van Akkeren at St. Luke's United Methodist Church. They were married for 59 years before Donald preceded her in death on June 10, 2010. Juanita was a hostess and waitress for many years, working at the Flamingo, Riverdale, The Hoffbrau and Rupp's. She retired from Bast Accounting where she worked with her daughter. She was an active member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Her greatest joy was her family, never missing a famous 4th of July party or a Christmas eve together. She is survived by her four children, Tana (special friend Louis Klueger) Mullane, Sheboygan, Terry (Sue) Van Akkeren, Sheboygan, Tim (Barb) Van Akkeren, Chilton, and Toni (George) Gahagan, Sheboygan; 16 grandchildren, Todd (Jill) Mullane, Waukesha, Trisha Mullane, Sheboygan, Beth (Jon) Wilke, Fond du Lac, Peter and David Van Akkeren, Sheboygan, Amy (Jeremy) Dekker, Sheboygan, Jeff (Jessica) Davis, Sheboygan, Erica Davis, Sheboygan, Jeremy Larson, Sheboygan, Chris (Holly) Van Akkeren, Chilton, Wes (Jackie) Grube, Rogers, AR, Tim (Koreen) Grube, West Bend, Jessica (Scott) Hoene, Wauwatosa, Russell (Rachel) Gahagan, Sheboygan, Jessica (special friend Maddie) Gahagan, Sheboygan, and Julie (special friend Brian) Gahagan, Sheboygan; 24 great grandchildren; two sisters, Bea Mihm, Sheboygan, and June (Tony) Katte, Jenison, MI; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She is further survived by her best friend of 76 years, Jane (LeRoy) Velasquez, Sheboygan. Besides her parents and husband Donald, she was preceded in death by two daughter-in-laws, Peggy and Carol Van Akkeren, and a son-in-law, James Mullane. Funeral services for Juanita will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2013 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 623 Ontario Avenue. Rev. Kathy Reid will officiate. Family and friends are welcome at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. A memorial fund has been established in her name. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of St. Nicholas Home Health & Hospice, especially Angie Wilke, for all of their loving care and support.
