Loraine Dean Davies Van Eerden

Completed her earthly journey at home in Wauwatosa on September 6, 2022 at the age 92. Beloved wife of almost 70 years of Robert J Van Eerden, Sr. Loving Mother of Robert Jr. (Kathy), Christine Johnson (Dave), and Michael (Ann). Adoring Grandmother of Amy Van Eerden, John Van Eerden (Britney Trempala), Megan Van Eerden, James Van Eerden, Ted Feierstein, Katherine Lunde (Ryan), Michael Feierstein, Lauren Feierstein, Mary Piwaron (Tom), Jane Van Eerden (Steven Frautschy), and Matthew Van Eerden. Fond foster grandmother of Jolene Heuchert (Mark). Lory was especially proud of her three great-grandchildren, Mason Piwaron, Levi Lunde, and Bellamy Piwaron. She was also survived by other beloved family and friends. Lory was predeceased by her loving parents, James and Loraine Davies, and her brother, James Davies Jr. 

The most important things in Lory’s life were her faith, family, and friends.

Lory and Bob began dating in high school - they were the second Prom King and Queen in the history of Washington H.S. Following graduation in 1947, both attended UW-Madison where Lory graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UW-Madison with a degree in Business Administration in 1951.

Lory and Bob married on October 18, 1952. As an air force bride, she accompanied Bob to Texas and Greenville, MS, where she was a squadron accounting officer. They returned to Milwaukee after the completion of his military service. With the birth of Bob Jr., Chris, and Mike, the Van Eerden Family was complete.  Lory worked in the accounting department of F.W. Woolworth for a period of time after her children had grown.  She also performed many volunteer services for numerous organizations over the years, but her greatest titles were those of wife, Mother, Grandmother, and homemaker, at which she excelled throughout her life. 

She hosted many fun family events such as holiday and birthday celebrations at the family home for almost 50 years, preparing delicious meals and desserts, as she was an exceptional cook. She also started our special family tradition of Christmas cookie baking and gifted life-long memories for her granddaughters through the creation of the Posh Elite Girls Finishing School. She especially enjoyed summers spent at the family’s Moose Lake cottage in Waukesha County, graciously welcoming and hosting all that came. A dynamo when playing Rummikub or engaged in a feisty family card game of Thumper, she would remind those playing against her - as she stole a trick from them - “… you can’t be nice in this game!” Lory also enjoyed scrapbooking and created lasting memory books for many of her grandchildren. In recent years, Lory developed a love for creative writing and was good at it. 

Lory was the most thoughtful, selfless, and compassionate person, always putting others first.  With her strong faith in God, she prayed daily and wrote countless cards and letters - from her heart - to encourage family and friends while keeping everyone informed of what was going on in her life.  She supported all in attaining their goals and celebrated upon their achievement. She LOVED her family “HEAPS” and in return was LOVED “HEAPS”. 

God has blessed our family with the most sweet, precious wife, Mother, and Grandmother that we could ever have asked for. We will be forever grateful for her unconditional LOVE and all she has done for our Family. She was a perfect role model and had a profound impact on each of our lives. Not a day will go by that we won’t think of her and cherish all our memories with her. She will live in our hearts forever.

As Lory closed all her letters over the years to her beloved grandchildren: 

“Study hard, work hard, have fun, but keep on the straight and narrow!!! Love you HEAPS!”

Pastor James Gorman officiated a private service at WI Memorial Park. Memorials to Wisconsin Special Olympics or the American Diabetes Foundation in honor of Lory would be appreciated by the family.

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