Lois Van Abel
Heaven gained another angel. Lois Ann Van Abel, 60, Green Bay died on Sunday April 4, 2021 after a year and a half battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Lois was born in Lena, Wisconsin to Mike and the late Ellen McGuire. She grew up in Lena where she played oboe and was a drum Majorette in the high school band. Her athleticism and competitive nature earned her a starting position on the basketball team. Lois’s compassion for people led her into a career in nursing. She started as a CMA right out of high school. Lois married the late Kevin Jantz and had two wonderful sons. During that time, she went back to school to earn her bachelor’s degree from UW-Oshkosh as a registered nurse. Lois committed her life to her family and to her career. She earned her master’s degree in business administration from Concordia. Her hard work earned her a top administrative position at Bellin Hospital. Lois spent fifteen years at Bellin until her illness in 2019. Lois married Jim Van Abel in 2006. She was so happy to welcome his three daughters and together, they built a love-filled blended family. Lois was the happiest when her home was filled with family. She loved her grandchildren and spoiled them every time she had the chance. Lois’s spirit and personality lit up the room wherever she went. She attracted many friends and co-workers who cared deeply for her. She was a caring, compassionate person who laughed often and loved life. Lois loved to travel and was so thankful for the trips she took to Italy and Ireland a few years ago. Lois loved her time up north at “The Lodge”. She and Jim enjoyed their time snowmobiling, taking pontoon rides and sitting around the campfire. Her boys remember their Mother’s frequent requests to pick up the sticks in the woods before all the fun could start. Lois survived breast cancer in 2014 and became a representative of Bellin Hospital at Packer games. She was an avid Packer fan and was proud to wear the pink Packer jersey. Throughout her difficult struggle with leukemia, Lois kept her strong faith and instilled hope in everyone. She never complained and showed the ultimate strength and courage. Lois is survived by her husband Jim Van Abel, Green Bay, her sons, Riley (Kelsey) Jantz, Taylor (Josie) Jantz and daughters, Stephanie (Matt) Stien, Samantha (Tyler) Van Asten, and Rachel Van Abel. Her grandchildren, Stella and Nora Jantz, Jackson, Aubrey and Leo Stien, Eli, Asher, and Cori Van Asten and Kade Hladovcak. Her father and stepmother, Mike and Judy McGuire, Lena. Siblings, Louise (Tom) Blankenheim, St. Nazianz, Maureen (Duane) Viano, Livermore, California, Eileen (Steve Bell) McGuire, Elephant Butte, NM, Renee McGuire, Boulder, CO, and Raymond (Deana Houlihan) McGuire, Lena. Step-siblings, Rick Peters, Lena, and Tracey (Sammy) Awwad, California. She is also survived by nieces and nephews who loved her like a mother, and many close friends. Friends may call at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 N. Tenth St., De Pere, on Saturday, April 10, 2021. Visitation starts at 10:00 a.m. with a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Lois Van Abel Scholarship.Obituary
Heaven gained another angel. Lois Ann Van Abel, 60, Green Bay died on Sunday April 4, 2021 after a year and a half battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Lois was born in Lena, Wisconsin to Mike and the late Ellen McGuire. She grew up in Lena where she played oboe and was a drum Majorette in the high school band. Her athleticism and competitive nature earned her a starting position on the basketball team. Lois’s compassion for people led her into a career in nursing. She started as a CMA right out of high school. Lois married the late Kevin Jantz and had two wonderful sons. During that time, she went back to school to earn her bachelor’s degree from UW-Oshkosh as a registered nurse. Lois committed her life to her family and to her career. She earned her master’s degree in business administration from Concordia. Her hard work earned her a top administrative position at Bellin Hospital. Lois spent fifteen years at Bellin until her illness in 2019. Lois married Jim Van Abel in 2006. She was so happy to welcome his three daughters and together, they built a love-filled blended family. Lois was the happiest when her home was filled with family. She loved her grandchildren and spoiled them every time she had the chance. Lois’s spirit and personality lit up the room wherever she went. She attracted many friends and co-workers who cared deeply for her. She was a caring, compassionate person who laughed often and loved life. Lois loved to travel and was so thankful for the trips she took to Italy and Ireland a few years ago. Lois loved her time up north at “The Lodge”. She and Jim enjoyed their time snowmobiling, taking pontoon rides and sitting around the campfire. Her boys remember their Mother’s frequent requests to pick up the sticks in the woods before all the fun could start. Lois survived breast cancer in 2014 and became a representative of Bellin Hospital at Packer games. She was an avid Packer fan and was proud to wear the pink Packer jersey. Throughout her difficult struggle with leukemia, Lois kept her strong faith and instilled hope in everyone. She never complained and showed the ultimate strength and courage. Lois is survived by her husband Jim Van Abel, Green Bay, her sons, Riley (Kelsey) Jantz, Taylor (Josie) Jantz and daughters, Stephanie (Matt) Stien, Samantha (Tyler) Van Asten, and Rachel Van Abel. Her grandchildren, Stella and Nora Jantz, Jackson, Aubrey and Leo Stien, Eli, Asher, and Cori Van Asten and Kade Hladovcak. Her father and stepmother, Mike and Judy McGuire, Lena. Siblings, Louise (Tom) Blankenheim, St. Nazianz, Maureen (Duane) Viano, Livermore, California, Eileen (Steve Bell) McGuire, Elephant Butte, NM, Renee McGuire, Boulder, CO, and Raymond (Deana Houlihan) McGuire, Lena. Step-siblings, Rick Peters, Lena, and Tracey (Sammy) Awwad, California. She is also survived by nieces and nephews who loved her like a mother, and many close friends. Friends may call at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 N. Tenth St., De Pere, on Saturday, April 10, 2021. Visitation starts at 10:00 a.m. with a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Lois Van Abel Scholarship.