Edmy L. Van Woelderen

MIDDLETON - Edmy L. Van Woelderen, age 93, died on Friday, October 11, 2024. Edmy was born a Dutch citizen on September 10, 1931, to Johan and Helena Eijsenring in the city of Djokjakarta (near the Indian Ocean) on the island of Java, in the former Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).

Named after a character in a book, Edmy was known affectionately throughout her life by various nicknames, including Myke, Meis, and Mimi. She and her siblings spent their childhood moving from one railroad community to another due to their father’s position as the manager of various railroad stations on Java, and one of her favorite childhood memories was riding the train to school.

Edmy and her family were survivors of both the World War II Japanese occupation of Java, and as concentration camp prisoners during the Dutch-Indonesian War. Due to health issues in the years following her detention, Edmy left school and eventually worked for the Dutch Government in Soerabaja (now Surabaya), her favorite city. After she and her family immigrated to The Netherlands in 1950, Edmy finished her education and continued to work for the Dutch Government in The Hague for several years. In 1956, she married Edward Van Woelderen, a Royal Netherlands Air Force Sergeant. They immigrated to the Unites States in 1958 with their 1-year-old daughter, Linda, and settled in Madison, Wis., becoming U.S. citizens in 1965.

Until age 70, Edmy rode her three-speed bike everywhere, particularly on family grocery runs and errands to the hardware store. Her hobbies included solving word puzzles in the newspaper, jigsaw puzzles, and watching Jeopardy! She especially loved working in the yard, planting and maintaining her garden beds, and taking photos of the nature around her. When she wasn’t outdoors, she was often taking care of her grandchildren, cooking one of her delicious recipes, or listening to her country music collection. She appreciated a good guitar player, and she attended numerous concerts to see her favorite singers and musicians, both in Wisconsin and when she lived in Arizona. When she became dependent on a wheelchair for longer outings, she loved being at eye-level with children and dogs-both always prompted a smile or quick exchange.

Edmy is survived by her children, Linda (Earl) Meier, Raymond F. J. Van Woelderen, Wendy (Chris) Heimerl, Cheryl (Jon) Lutz, Crystal Van Woelderen, and “adopted” son, Zachary Kniess; her grandchildren, Heidi, Jeremy, Benjamin, Sara, Corinne, Zakary, Marlon (Whitney), Ema (James), Christopher (Dana), Casey, and Zachary’s children, Rowan and Crew; great-grandchildren; her sisters, Alice and Etha; her brother, Edu (Gayle); in-laws, Jetty (Norm) and Rick (Bernadette); many nieces and nephews; and Mimi’s “little helper” and beloved companion, family dog, RC. In addition, Edmy ran a daycare business from her home for many years and she remained in touch with special family friends, the Kniesses and the Kakers/Mahers through the years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ed; brothers, Dolf, Frans, Rob, Ferry and Don; mother and father in-law; sisters and brother in-law; special friends, Jopie, Mrs. Hulst, Jimmy, Elinor and Lucy; and her faithful garden companion and family dog, Caleb.

At Edmy’s request, there will be a private family graveside service and burial.

We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to Mimi’s compassionate and dedicated Hospice Care team (Ines, Petra, Isaac, Dylan, and several CNAs), and to family and friends for the many well wishes, photos, flowers, and cards that brightened her days.

In Edmy’s memory, please consider making a donation to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul or The Salvation Army, both charitable organizations she regularly supported.

Mom/Mimi/Meis: You lived a remarkable life, but to us you were simply our loving mom, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Though small in stature, you were taller and stronger than any of us. You were at peace outdoors, and nearest to God and Jesus in your garden. So, when we stop to appreciate the beauty of a flower, or marvel at the ingenuity of worker ants, or catch a sun-lit reflection on the wall, we’ll think of you and the simple wonders that brought you joy. With love and gratitude, we will miss you always!

(A Dutch bedtime lullaby)

De bloempjes gaan nu slapen,

Ze zijn van het spelen moe.

Ze knikken met hun kopjes,

Jou een “Welterusten” toe.

Goedenacht, Goedenacht, Lieve Mom.

Goedenacht

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761