Obituary of Thomas John Van Valkenberg

Thomas John Van Valkenberg, age 55, of Cambridge, Wisconsin passed away peacefully surrounded by his three daughters on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at University Hospital & Clinics in Madison, WI. Tom was born on September 11, 1956 and raised in Cambridge, WI, the son of William and Nancy (Schumacher) Van Valkenberg. Tom attended Cambridge High School. In 1970, when Tom was in his early 20's he traveled around the USA and Canada managing the blues band Martin, Bogan and Armstrong, which made for great stories later in life. He worked as a industrial mechanic for over 30 years. He received many calls over the years from family and friends whenever something was not working quite right, he could fix just about anything. Tom had a deep love of music, which he passed on to his three girls and granddaughter. He loved playing accoustic and electric guitar. Tom enjoyed the Green Bay Packers and fishing on his boat (which he shared with his father). He also had a very special bond with his cat, Poochie. His favorite place in the whole world was the Northwoods Corporation Cabin, this was the place he was the most relaxed. His children were lucky enough to grow up spending summer vacations there and most recently his seven year old granddaugher was albe to share the same experience with him. The light of his life were his three daughters and granddaughter, he over-flowed with love and pride for his girls, they were his whole world. Tom will be deeply missed by his three daughters: Emily Van Valkenberg, Cambridge, WI, Kayla Van Valkenberg, Madison, WI, and Rosa Van Valkenberg, Edgerton, WI, granddaugher: Layla Isabella Van Valkenberg Wolf, his mother: Nancy Van Valkenberg, Cambridge, WI, three sisters: Helen Carol Van Valkenberg, Stoughton, WI, Jane (Donald) Woods, Franklin, TN, and Laura (Gary Meister) Van Valkenberg, Eagle River, WI, Brother: Phillip Van Valkenberg, Golden Lake, WI, and his partner: Mary Metz, Cambridge, WI. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his father and best friend, William Van Valkenberg and a brother Chuck Van Valkenberg. Funeral services will be held at 10AM on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the Nitardy Funeral Home, Cambridge, WI. Inurnment will be in the Lake Ripley Cemetery, Town of Oakland, Wisconsin. Friends may call after 9AM on Saturday at the Nitardy Funeral Home until the services. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the family to help defray medical costs. Tom's family would like to thank Mary Metz for caring so deeply for Tom and bringing him joy through this hard time. Also, thank you to Fort Atkinson Home Health Care and all the Ladies from St. James Lutheran Church for all their prayers and home cooked meals, it was greatly appreciated. A very special thanks to the UW Transplant Team, and the UW Hospital's Intermediate Care Floor. Lastly, thank you to the UW T.L.C. nurses and staff for not only coming to his aid, but our families as well. The level of care the nurse and doctors provided was above and beyond what we could have hoped for. "Dad, we love you the most"