Vanmala B Kale

MONONA-Vanmala “Van” Kale, age 89, devoted wife, mother and grandmother passed away on Friday, October 15, 2021. Vanmala was born in Dharwad, India. She grew up with her grandparents. She learned a lot from her grandma. In those days, children watched and imitated. She observed how her grandma made wonderful Indian dishes. Vanmala never used measuring spoons or cups! She always said, “Just eyeball it!” Guess who she learned that from! Vanmala married Balkrishna “Bal” Kale on June 14, 1955. Bal got a fellowship to study abroad. Vanmala joined him in 1971. She adjusted from a warm climate to a very colder one especially in January in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Vanmala loved helping people whenever she could. When she was in high school, she knitted sweaters and vests for soldiers in the Army. She was proud that she was able to help someone else by donating blood to the American Red Cross. Vanmala loved to help out in a first-grade classroom of her daughter who was a teacher. She liked to assist in organizing the classroom. Vanmala loved to tell the children about the Indian culture. She made Indian flat bread with them and brought in Indian sweets for them! She was a part of the Vedanta Society of Madison and organized fundraising to collect donations for the needy. No one could say ‘no’ to Vanmala. She just had a way with words! One of the sayings that she especially liked was, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” She encouraged her family to do the same. Vanmala was a good storyteller too! Her grandson, Ajay, has sure mastered that art of storytelling from her! She is so proud of his accomplishments. She knows deep in her heart that he will aspire to do great things in his life. Vanmala lived a fulfilling life as a sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She loved knitting, cross-stitching, embroidery, cooking and dabbled in reading biographies and loved geography. Vanmala was the kindest, most loving person. Keeping her in their hearts and cherishing the many years they had with her are her husband of 66 years, Balkrishna; daughters, Pramodini (Deepak) and Vibhavari; grandson, Ajay; sister, Asha; nephew, Amit; and niece, Varsha. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the West Dean Clinic, caregivers from Visiting Angels and St. Mary’s Hospital staff that has taken care of her over the years and most recently St. Mary’s Hospital’s Comfort Care Unit. Everyone that has been a part of her care has provided excellent treatment and support. In keeping with her nature, funeral services are private and for the immediate family. Those wishing to honor her life can make a donation in her name to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org./aha/donate) or the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org/diabetes/donation) . Online condolences can be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420