Yvonne Reed
December 15, 1961 - August 05, 2024
Obituary
MADISON - Yvonne (Van Woelderen) Reed, forever young in heart and soul, passed away peacefully at Meriter Hospital on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. Yvonne brightened our world beginning Dec. 15, 1961, to the late Diane (Johnson) Lundquist and Henry Van Woelderen.
Yvonne is survived by her husband, Terry Reed; children, Naomi Levesque and Nathan (Tegan) Mistele; brother, Troy Van Woelderen; grandbabies, Jasmine, Brooke, Savana, Emily and Lyza; niece, Savanna; and her very best friend, Sue Ripley.
Over her beautiful years, Yvonne dedicated every moment to loving unconditionally. Her smile was infectious and there wasn’t a person she encountered that didn’t feel truly special in her presence. She had a fiery soul and was resilient beyond measure. In her world, you’d never know any sorrow existed.
Yvonne’s outgoing personality was a perfect fit for her decades of tending bar. She spent her earlier years and made lifelong friendships at Dalton’s 77 (Hannah’s), then, most notably, at Madison Labor Temple, where she was able to sprinkle sunshine onto those that work hard in our Unions.
Among her many joys, at the top of the list were her moments with a fishing pole in hand. She loved being outside and this was an activity that brought true peace to her. In her final days, she made one request, to be outside with the sun on her face, birds chirping around her, and the sweet smells of summer flowers and fresh air to cleanse her soul. As she soaked in those minutes, she danced to music she loved and grinned beyond ear to ear. Two of her favorite songs were Walking on Sunshine and Landslide. This was her. Still smiling and dancing, no matter life’s hardest moments.
For many years, Yvonne wore a gold chain with a crescent moon lady charm close to her heart. This moon lady was a symbol of her deep connection to her grandmother, the late Cornelia Van Woelderen (Oma). The moon lady or goddess represents life, healing, compassion, beauty, and grace. All virtues that are honored and admired about Yvonne.
We want to thank Meriter Hospital, especially her special angel nurses, Morgan and Pheng, who went above and beyond with the tenderness, love, and care a patient deserves.
Yvonne loves each of you and she will be missed immensely.
A celebration of life will be held at LICARI’S, 1405 Emil St., Madison, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be brought to the celebration of life. Funds will be allocated to charities close to Yvonne’s heart. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420