William J Vandenbrook

William J. “Bill” Vanden Brook died on Memorial Day at Hospice Care Madison after a short illness. He was 92. He was born April 2, 1918, in Winona, Minnesota. He was a 1936 graduate of Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids. He served in the Pacific theatre in World War II flying as a gunner on B-24 Liberators with the 7th Air Force. He married Marie Elizabeth Johnson on March 22, 1944. Bill was the consummate family man and reveled in the company of his children. Above all, he was devoted to his dear wife Marie. Bill worked for many years as a salesman, making legions of friends all over Wisconsin. Later in life, Bill held a cherished job as a crossing guard for the City of Madison. He perfected a “wave” to drivers that kept his charges safe and commuters smiling. “We thank Mr. Vanden Brook for his brave service during World War II and his loving devotion to family and friends in the years following,” said Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s top military officer. “Those of us in today’s military know that we are standing on the broad shoulders of his generation, and we are grateful for the strength of his example.” Survivors include his wife Marie, his daughter Mary (Steve) of Summerland Key, Fla., and sons, Mike (Janet), Pete (Karen), Bill (Joni), and Jon (Diane) of Madison, Jim (Judy) of Mount Horeb, and Tom (Kathy) of Arlington, Va.; his grandchildren, Mike (Vicki), Meghan (Arthur), Jonathan, Sara (Travis), Erin, Nell, and Gino; and three great grandchildren, Kiki, Jaxon and Olivia. The family extends its profound gratitude to the Veterans Administration Home Care Team and all of those involved with Bill’s care through Hospice Care Madison. Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 4 at BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH. A funeral mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. and a luncheon after the service at the church. Burial will take place at St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sauk City. Donations may be made to Hospice Care of Madison, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, Wis., 53711 or Blessed Sacrament Parish, 2116 Hollister Ave., Madison, Wis., 53726